Sub $100 Kilts Compare and Contrast

[wingedferret]

I'm Pretty new to kilting and my Kollection consists of just a SWK Thrifty.
I'm looking at getting another kilt for christmas but want to hear the pros and cons of the different items.
While I would love a tank that is totally out opf my price range for now.

So what are the differences between SWK, SK, Frugal Corner, and USAkilts?
How do they contrast for price? styling? are the tailored?

Inform me so i can point my wife in the right direction.

[ccga3359]

So what are the differences between SWK, SK, Frugal Corner, and USAkilts?
How do they contrast for price? styling? are the tailored?

With your above list the way to go is with USAKilts. They are the only bespoke kilt maker on your list. All of the others are probably made for the "average" person. USAK will be made for you to your measurements. Aside from that SWK heavyweight kilts will be the closest to a "tank" in that it is wool (albeit 13oz) and a traditional cut. My first kilt was an SWK black shadow and I love it.

[McMurdo]

Let me ask you what you want the new kilt for, with USAKilts the under $100 option would be a casual kilt, whereas if you were to go to Still-Water for that money it would be a more traditional cut. I do not have an SK, or a kilt from Frugal Corner, so I do not know anything about their products first hand.
I would think the first step would be to figure out whether it would be a casual i.e. sitting on your hips, or a traditional i.e. sitting above or at your navel.

[dpseadvr]

I have a USAK, SK and a SWK all have good points but it depends on what you want the kilt for
SK I have a Works and original styles IMHO they are great light weight casual I wear them all over but they are not for anything formal. can get them made to your measurements
USAK I ave a casual made great holds pleats awsome everyday kilt heavier material very nice made to your measurements
SWK I have the economy nice material looks good but they come in 24 in length so if you are short like me you'll have to get it hemed
Don't have anything from FC but they never reurned any emails I ever sent them asking about things in stock and have read bad stories here about service.

[Panache]

wingedferret,

For under 100 bucks I would go for a Stillwater Standard.

For just over 100 bucks I would highly recomend a Stillwater Heavyweight (traditional style, wool, lots of pleats).

I love my USA semi-traditional kilt, but I think that I wouldn't be as happy with a casual and a semi-trad is out of your price range.


Cheers

Jamie

[Chef]

I'm with Jamie on this one but I would say go for the Stillwater wool heavyweight at $125 if you can. Otherwise the standard acrylic. They are a very good representation of a traditional kilt...for the money.

My reasoning is this, unless you know you will only want to wear the kilt with t-shirts and boots dressing a traditional kilt down works better than dressing a casual kilt up.

[Nighthawk]

wingedferret,

For under 100 bucks I would go for a Stillwater Standard.

For just over 100 bucks I would highly recomend a Stillwater Heavyweight (traditional style, wool, lots of pleats).

I love my USA semi-traditional kilt, but I think that I wouldn't be as happy with a casual and a semi-trad is out of your price range.


Cheers

Jamie

What he said. I have a Stillwater heavyweight and a standard. The heavyweight has a much better swing, but both are killer, and for the price, you really can't beat them.

[Arizona Scot]

My first and only (so far) kilt is a standard from SWK and it is just great. I am waiting for the holidays to be over so I can concentrate on getting a heavyweight from them, hopefully in the Gordon tartan. I don't think you could go wrong with either choice, I have heard very good things about the usak kilts but don't own one.

[taxdragon]

I just got my first SWK standard and I am totally sold. Great product at a great price.

[bchunter]

I have two SWK in Standard grade, and one high-dollar tank custom made from a well respected house in Scotland. I wear the two SWK kilts about 10 to one over the tank, except for special occasions, and highly recommend the SWKs. Their service is second to none.