Ireland's National Semi-Traditional - Amazing!

**Hamish** · 5th July 06, 04:58 PM

Two weeks ago my 'Ireland's National' semi-traditional kilt was delivered from USA Kilts, and I have now had several opportunities to wear it ...... not that I would have needed to wait for "opportunities" - if they had not occurred naturally, I'd have made them happen! As soon as I unpacked this handsome kilt it cried out, "Wear me! Wear me - NOW!"

First impressions: here is a beautifully tailored kilt, neatly and perfectly sewn, with three buckles and straps of the highest quality, and a fringe worthy of a 16oz woollen 'tank'. The 6 yards of poly-vis fabric is superbly woven in a weight that could not be bettered for our British summer. I was so pleased to find that it comes with a neat selvedge edge when, for some reason, I was expecting a turned hem! Rocky and Kelly (I am not sure who does what) have even achieved a perfect pair of belt loops where the tartan absolutely matches that on which they are sewn.

OK, so what does it feel and look like in the wearing? Firstly, the fit is 100% spot-on, aided no doubt by the perfect tapering of the fell. Although this kilt is, to me, a lightweight garment, the swing factor of the pleats is fabulous (pleat swing is one of the many important features of a worthwhile kilt, and this kilt has it in abundance!). On one of the wearings, I spent several hours sitting in a very hot car, yet I emerged with every pleat in pristine, uncreased, condition - due to the great fabric and the pleatmanship rather than to my 'sweeping'! The hang of the kilt, seen in this photo, is similar to that one should expect from a kilt costing three times the price:

Frankly, I do not know how Kelly and Rocky/Rocky and Kelly manage to produce kilts of such high quality for the price, and I am indebted to them for doing so. Thank you both.

**pdcorlis** · 5th July 06, 05:08 PM

Great photos Hamish and another lesson in the properly turned out kilt from you. Rocky and Kelly's kilts are just amazing. I have two of their Semi-Traditionals and the fit and finish are great as well. I also have a swatch of this tartan that I'm trying to ignore, but it keeps calling my name!

**Mattg** · 5th July 06, 06:02 PM

Great kilt Hamish! I can't wait to get my own USAK!

**Southern Breeze** · 5th July 06, 06:18 PM

Congrats on another great kilt!

**GMan** · 5th July 06, 08:57 PM

Forgive me for asking this Hamish, you always seem to be smiling in your pictures, is that because you are Kilted in an awesome looking Kilt?

**RockyR** · 6th July 06, 05:41 AM

I am humbled by your post sir...

The one thing I will point out... 95% of our PV kilts come with the "frayed" selvedge edge. The Ireland's National is different b/c I had them custom weave it. Since I ordered 250 M of it and I'm paying a MUCH higher price per meter (b/c it's special woven), I could ask for the kilting "tuck selvedge" that it comes with. The mill normally reserves the machine that does the tuck selvedge for wool, but sometimes a roll or two of PV finds it's way onto the machine.

Again, thanks for the review Hamish!

**KiltedCodeWarrior** · 6th July 06, 07:37 AM

Great pics Ham! And one of my favorite kilts as well. It appears impossible to damage the pleats, no matter how long you sit on them or what you do.

**Hamish** · 6th July 06, 09:06 AM

Originally Posted by GMan

Forgive me for asking this Hamish, you always seem to be smiling in your pictures, is that because you are Kilted in an awesome looking Kilt?

That is certainly one reason, Glen. I mean, who can wear a kilt (awsome or otherwise) and NOT smile?!

Another, is because I am a very happy and contented sort of person! There are more than enough long-faced, miserable, sour-pusses in this world without me going around with an unsmiling expression on my face. A smile attracts people, but a scowl (or even an un-smile) deters them and, since one of my raison d'êtres is the promotion of kilt wearing by example, I smile most of the time. It helps to let the great unwashed see that kilts are good, kilts are fun, kilts are smart, kilts are cool, kilts are comfortable, kilts exude confidence and kilts make everyone happy.

Apart from all that, not smiling is tiring!

**Caradoc** · 6th July 06, 09:36 AM

Originally Posted by Hamish

There are more than enough long-faced, miserable, sour-pusses in this world without me going around with an unsmiling expression on my face.

All of what Hamish said is correct - but if you absolutely must get through the crowd to handle something on the other side (I do security stuff for reenactment gatherings, usually on the night shift) then the grim face with the great kilt is usually a lot more effective than the Princess-Bride-Fezzik-style bellow of "EVERYBODY MOVE!"

**Kilted KT** · 6th July 06, 09:40 AM

Yet another Hamish sighting!!!

great looking kilt...I'll have a hell of a time choosing who is to make my next kilt...so many great kiltmakers here!

so, how long before the "I'm too Hamish" video comes out?