Poor choice of kilt

**lewtherin** · 24th May 17, 03:48 PM

A few weeks ago I was in Scotland, I stopped by Hector Russell and ended up buying a kilt while I was there, When I got it home and began to look it over good, I was disappointed in the quality of the workmanship, Hector Russell came very highly recommended. But the stitching was very uneven and coming loose in places, my fault for not checking it out better.

**Jock Scot** · 24th May 17, 09:43 PM

I hope that I am not being impertinent, but would you mind telling us how much you paid for that kilt?

**McMurdo** · 25th May 17, 06:01 AM

This is troubling news indeed and I am sorry that your first foray into kilt wearing has started like this. Having said that will also echo Jock's question, I have one kilt from Hector Russell in my clan tartan and I've never been disappointed with the quality. What you've said is troubling to me in that you really should get value for your money, but I also note that you say

I stopped by Hector Russell and ended up buying a kilt while I was there

Obviously if you were able to just pop in and pick one up it was not made for you, and this might be the problem, I am willing to bet that the kilt you purchased was machine sewn offshore and simply sold by Hector Russell.

**John_Carrick** · 25th May 17, 07:33 AM

Hector Russell is a reputable kilt maker. I was in the Glasgow shop yesterday and they do stock cheaper PV kilts and a random selection of wool kilts (pretty expensive) that I assume are unwanted bespoke orders. The PVs are often reasonable value for money but not made to the highest standard.

**lewtherin** · 25th May 17, 01:45 PM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

I hope that I am not being impertinent, but would you mind telling us how much you paid for that kilt?

The kilt was a wool 8 yard and priced at 450 pounds, I talked them down to 275 pounds.

**lewtherin** · 25th May 17, 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by McMurdo

This is troubling news indeed and I am sorry that your first foray into kilt wearing has started like this. Having said that will also echo Jock's question, I have one kilt from Hector Russell in my clan tartan and I've never been disappointed with the quality. What you've said is troubling to me in that you really should get value for your money, but I also note that you say

Obviously if you were able to just pop in and pick one up it was not made for you, and this might be the problem, I am willing to bet that the kilt you purchased was machine sewn offshore and simply sold by Hector Russell.

I really don't know who made it, although it did have a Hector Russell, label sewn into the inter apron, but I took it to an alteration shop here in my area, they shortened it 3 inches and took it up in the waist 2 inches, they also repaired the stitching that was coming loose, the lady at the shop told me that the kilt was hand stitched except for the inter waist lining. I take the blame for not looking more closely at the garment, I now believe I purchased a second. But live and learn ha ha

**lewtherin** · 25th May 17, 01:56 PM

Originally Posted by John_Carrick

Hector Russell is a reputable kilt maker. I was in the Glasgow shop yesterday and they do stock cheaper PV kilts and a random selection of wool kilts (pretty expensive) that I assume are unwanted bespoke orders. The PVs are often reasonable value for money but not made to the highest standard.

I am not sure what this was, it was told to me that it is an eight yard wool Kilt, I know that it is heavy, and the lady at the alterations said it was wool. But anyway, I am ok with it, I learned from the experience.

**ThistleDown** · 25th May 17, 06:42 PM

Good for you getting beyond the issue, lewtherin. Hector Russell has a superb reputation and I am sure they would have dealt well with your tale of woe if they had known. In the end, however, you are happy with the kilt, it has been adjusted considerably to fit you, and all it well with the world. Welcome to XMarks, but the way

**Jock Scot** · 26th May 17, 01:14 AM

Originally Posted by lewtherin

The kilt was a wool 8 yard and priced at 450 pounds, I talked them down to 275 pounds.

Thank you for that. From reading on in this thread , I can see that you have drawn your own conclusions which I cannot disagree with. As with anything in life, "all that glistens is not gold".

**OC Richard** · 28th May 17, 08:51 AM

Originally Posted by lewtherin

I took it to an alteration shop here in my area, they shortened it 3 inches

That's scary. I doubt they know how to do that properly- you shorten from the top, because the bottom edge is the selvedge of the fabric. Kilts don't have hems at the bottom (real kilts, anyway).

And I wonder if the kilt needed to be shortened. I only say this because Americans who aren't experienced kilt-wearers usually want their kilts too short. They shove the top of the kilt down around their hips like low-rise blue jeans, whereas kilts are worn coming up high like old-fashioned trousers, to the natural waist.

If you're average height the kilt length is usually 24 inches.

If the kilt you bought was that average length, you shortened it to 21 inches, which is quite unusually short. I suppose it would be correct if you are around 5 foot tall? Just guessing.