Kilt advice

[KWD]

Hello fellow Kilters, has anyone dealt with Macdonald Sporrans before? I find their prices very reasonable on the Casual packages and they use PV material for their Kilts in these packages. Not too sure on quality though, I was wondering if any of you have had dealings with them, and if so what is your experience with them?

[BLHS209]

First, I have not heard of them. With that said, many here have said that Stillwater (one of the X's sponsors) is a good value for the money. Given the exchange rate, you may want to look at them "first". And as a follow up, check out USA Kilts (another site sponsor).

Both site have reasonable prices for PV kilts.

Chris Shepherd

[fluter]

Slight correction: Stillwater uses acrylic fabric (or wool). Their kilts would be similar to the ones in the advert, that is, stock sizes with a "standard" waist-to-hip proportion.

If your hip measurement is 4-6 inches greater than the waist, this may work for you. If not, definitely consider the USA casual, which is made to measure from Marton Mills PV.

I am not sure whether the kilt in question is "real" PV or the PV/acetate blend that is commonly called PV by some vendors. I see 4 tartans I don't recall from the Marton Mills list, so I suspect the latter.

[lethearen]

I have one of those kilts, though ordered from a different company. The PV isn't "real" PV, but rather it's an acetate blend.

I don't know about this company's service, but the kilt itself is decent enough for the price. I've had mine for a year and a half of abuse, and it's holding up. I expect it's about halfway through it's life, though and don't expect it to see two more summers. Regardless, for the 50$ I paid for mine, I'm quite content with the quality.

The fabric is heavy and somewhat stiff, but once it's broken in it feels fine. Doesn't have the scratchy feel of wool, at least. Pleats have held up well, but the stitching is starting to wear some. Waist sizes seem to be pretty true to the middle hole, and length is 24" waistband to hem.

Again, I don't know the company you listed, but I've ordered from the one I linked above a couple of times with no ill remarks... plus they have free shipping, even to this side of the pond! Takes a week or so to get it in hand.

[Irish Jack O'Brian]

Not too sure on quality though, I was wondering if any of you have had dealings with them, and if so what is your experience with them?

I am awaiting an 8 yard PV in Black Watch. It was on sale and the total with shipping was about $85. Rachel emailed that the size I ordered was not available, so there would be a wait of 2 weeks or so. Instead I chose to receive one size smaller which will fit fine.

I expect it to arrive this week and will post pix and a review.

[Irish Jack O'Brian]

I received my kilt from Macdonald Sporrans. The delivery was amazingly fast, coming from the UK. The fit is great. Thank goodness they didn't have the larger size, this is perfect. The hand of the material is something like a heavy cotton twill, much different from my Stillwater kilt



Also, as long as I was posting, I thought the picture could explore the subject of cowboy hats and boots with kilts. One of the things about being old is that I wear what I want and am pretty much impervious to sartorial critiques.

[BLHS209]

Kilt looks great. Hat? Doesn't bother me. Boots? Never thought about it with a kilt. But, given that hose / spats etc end up being about the same height, I guess it doesn't really matter...

Chris Shepherd