$130 Wool SWK!

[QMcK]

Hi all,

I was just looking again at the Stillwater kilts website and I was amazed to see a "Wool Heavyweight Kilt" for $130! It says "made from 100% wool". A while ago, I was thinking of getting a SWK acrylic McKenzie kilt, but at $US130, I think I might just have to go for a wool Blackwatch. What do you think of this? That does seem really cheap.

On Trademe - the NZ version of Ebay, I guess: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Clothing/Me...-257608294.htm "Celtic Spirit Tartan". I read the thread about Highland Inspirations, and they sound a bit dodgy, so I think that's out.

And, for a laugh: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Clothing/Me...-257553895.htm The "Braveheart Kilt COSTUME". Well, good thing they say costume. It seems to be imitating a small kilt, but I wasn't aware that they were around in old Braveheart's days . And look at that sash thingy. It's so thin it's like a rope.

Quentin.

[Tiny]

Hi all,

I was just looking again at the Stillwater kilts website and I was amazed to see a "Wool Heavyweight Kilt" for $130! It says "made from 100% wool". A while ago, I was thinking of getting a SWK acrylic McKenzie kilt, but at $US130, I think I might just have to go for a wool Blackwatch. What do you think of this? That does seem really cheap.

On Trademe - the NZ version of Ebay, I guess: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Clothing/Me...-257608294.htm "Celtic Spirit Tartan". I read the thread about Highland Inspirations, and they sound a bit dodgy, so I think that's out.

And, for a laugh: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Clothing/Me...-257553895.htm The "Braveheart Kilt COSTUME". Well, good thing they say costume. It seems to be imitating a small kilt, but I wasn't aware that they were around in old Braveheart's days . And look at that sash thingy. It's so thin it's like a rope.

Quentin.

I wear a SWK heavy wool in Black Stewart I love it. I highly recommend them, just wish they had more tartan options for their wool kilts.

[QMcK]

Cool. I might get one for next winter.

[Highlander31]

The sporran on the Braveheart costume is hilarious. It appears to be the size of a cellphone.

[QMcK]

I know. I was lucky I wasn't drinking coffee when I saw that.

[CDNSushi]

I got me a Saffron SWK heavy (wool) as part of Jerry's closeout sale on some damaged goods. My other wool kilt is a 13oz IoS from Marchbrae.

It's definitely a wool kilt, but it still feels like day and night, the difference between the two kilts... The SWK comes from Pakistan, and even though it may be wool, there's probably good reasons why it's only $130... For starters, for whatever the reason, the IoS is a LOT easier to iron than the SWK Saffron. In fact, I'd say that the wool SWK is among the most difficult pieces of fabric I've ever had the misfortune of trying to remove wrinkles from. It was insane the other day! If steam irons had 9 lives like cats do, I surely would have worn down mine by at least half just trying to make that silly kilt look presentable. On the other hand, the few times that I've had to get rid of some wrinkles from the pleats of my IoS, it's been really easy. Why? I don't know. I suspect, however, that all wool isn't made the same, and some wool may behave a bit differently.

Otherwise, most of us here on XMTS who have dealt with Stillwater are pretty happy with what we got, especially given the economic prices he offers.

[OC Richard]

And, for a laugh: The "Braveheart Kilt COSTUME". Well, good thing they say costume. It seems to be imitating a small kilt, but I wasn't aware that they were around in old Braveheart's days . And look at that sash thingy. It's so thin it's like a rope.

The actual costumes from Braveheart were good for a laugh themselves!

I was amazed that a big-star, big-budget movie like that would not bother to attempt any degree of realism in the costumes.

It looks like the costume designer had seen old images of men wearing a philiabeg with long plaid wrapped around their upper body, and had seen old images of men wearing the philamore/great kilt, and not realising that they were two utterly different forms of dress, devised a bizarre costume that blended aspects of the two.

Then there's the music: a movie set in Scotland about events in Scottish history using the uilleann pipes throughout! There's even a scene where you see a Highland piper but the soundtrack has the uilleann pipes.

[BEEDEE]

I have a SWK in MacRae Hunting and did have one in Lamont. Both are fair value for money. Be aware that the pleats are not cut out in the back so there is a lot of material around the back and the selvage may be a bit ragged.

The kilt is Trademe is described as

* Genuine woven acrylic wool

This is often used for Pakistan sourced kilts and would be equivalent to SWK's Standard kilt. Generally, there is no wool in "genuine acrylic wool"!

Brian

[Bugbear]

I think The Wizard of BC has called that "Pillow Butt" when the pleats aren't cut away on the inside. It kind of depends on the size of the caboose and hips whether one can get away with it., I think.

Just so it is known, the weave of the wool fabric is not as tight, and not as tightly spun yarns in the Stillwater wool kilts as in Martin Mills wool fabric, for example. It does, however, have a good feel to it, and it is good for the price.

Hope that helps.

[Livingston]

I've worn my SWK Heavyweight Black Watch in -1F at night in downtown Denver and been plenty warm. I have yet to press it. Just hang it up and it usually takes care of itself.