Now that I've had a few chances to wear my new Freedom Kilt 'Casual' model, I thought I'd post a review.
I ordered this kilt back in mid-September in the hopes that I'd have it to celebrate one year of full-time kilting at the end of October. That proved to be a little optimistic. I received the kilt on January 17, so it was a long
(and mostly patient) wait.
I have a few of these reviews to do now that I've gotten around to it, so forgive the duplicated explanation in other posts.
Since this is a review, and I'm trying to show off the kilt in these pictures, and so am not wearing a sporran, though I often do with this kilt.
This is a Freedom Kilts 'Casual' model in navy poly/cotton twill with filligree buttons.
The pocket options I chose were:
- two side slash pockets
- one left rear welt pocket (with black FK logo-see explanation below as to it's right-side placement)
- one under-apron pocket (which I totally forgot about until I was doing a touch-up pressing for these photos!)
I went with 2" belt loops, but my 2" belt is snug in them, and if I were to order again, I might order 3" loops. I'm not one to really call to talk over an order, but that's where special customizations could be made, say to fit an existing belt. Had I called Steve to review my order, I suppose I could have had him add a little to the 2" loops to more easily fit a 2" belt. Anyhoo...
Here goes!
The apron
The pleats
here it is on
a shot of the pleats
Here it's worth noting that I actually did order a pocket on the left hip. I have three UK 'Originals', but being left handed, can't use the right-hip pocket easily. When I took this kilt out of the box, I was surprised to see that what I got was one on the right.
I contacted Steve about this, and he graciously checked to see that I had indeed ordered a left-hip pocket not a right, and then said he put a left-hip pocket on at no charge, as well as covering postage. That's service! But I'm too attached to my new kilt at the moment to do without while he adds a pocket. Guess I'll have to make do with the other pockets for now.
The pocket I forgot I ordered until I was doing a touch-up with the iron for these photos:
it's on the under-apron, and is angled and secured with a small bit of velcro. Cool! I can't wait to use it now that I've found it.
A side view
Wrap-up:
I love this kilt! It's the second made-to-measure kilt I've purchased, and, though it almost goes without saying, there's a big difference between something custom made and an off-the-rack size. My FK 'casual' fits wonderfully.
I've never attempted to make one myself, but it's clear to me that this one is really well-constructed with lots of attention to the details that make it a great looking kilt. One that's more comfortable in a 'business casual' environment than some of my other utility kilts
(not that I love those any less, they're just different).
I should also say that Steve's claims about the wrinkle-free nature of the poly/cotton twill proved true for me. In my job I sit at a computer all day, or, for a change of pace, sit in meetings. Right out of the box, the kilt was ready to wear, though it had been folded for 6-8 days in the mail, and even after a few days of wear, it only needed its first pressing when I needed to show it off.
Steve has been great to work with, and he's designed a web site that's clear and detailed enough on the measuring and option-choosing process COLOR="gray"](the video on how to measure helped a lot)[/COLOR] so that you don't have to call to walk through all the details of a kilt order
(meaning Steve can build more kilts...or spend more time on X-Marks).
I like my FK 'casual' so much that I will definitely order from Steve and Freedom Kilts again.
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