A new kilt from 'Maison du Kilt' in Paris

**English Bloke** · 25th June 09, 05:23 PM

I was having a quick shufftie around ebay a couple of weeks back and saw a Breton National Tartan kilt on the french ebay site up for grabs at 50 euros + P&P as a 'buy it now'. I looked at the kilt fund which, until recently was building towards a Strome Black Watch ancient or Strathspey ancient (haven't decided yet) but following a few minor, though expensive domestic emergencies the fund seems to have taken a bit of a battering lately.

There was, give or take, the equivelent of 50 euros in it so I sent a message to the 'Maison du Kilt' who sell on ebay as 'Kilt-o-mania1532' and in my best schoolboy french asked if they would post a Kilt to Britain and if so, how much? Great communication from them, can't speak more highly of their customer service. 19 euros to add so after conversion to GBP it was £60 all-in or there abouts.

The kilt is acrylic. I've never had an acrylic kilt before and to be honest, will probably not get another. The kilt is fine but very light-weight compared to others I have and wrinkles easily.

It arrived well packaged and had basting stitches in it to hold it together in transit. It has a kilt edge and is not hemmed although there are a number of loose threads which I am loth to pull at. It has 25 pleats including the reverse pleat although the pleats are not particularly deep. Price wise, it's not far off a stillwater standard but I think the postage is a factor as ever when buying internationally.

Why did I buy it?

Dunno really... like the Tartan a lot and it's it tribute to my new found Norman roots I suppose. I've not seen the tartan available elsewhere for a casual kilt price.

Anyway, here's some pictures.

Well constructed. Solid 1.25" leather straps x 3. Double fringed. A few loose threads and pulled threads in the weave which seemed to trim away OK but not used to that in a kilt. Thank goodness I don't have a cat!

It's pleated to the light green stripe which doesn't give a great deal of contrast. I think it would be better pleated to the Sett.

The buckles appear to be quite solid if a little cheap...

The label indicates the french size which equates to 38". I presume that because the label is in english, the kilt is not actually made in France. It doesn't say where it's made. Not sure what a 'coll' iron is either.

The tartan IS pretty striking...

Wearing it frontwards...

Wearing it backwards... in a manner of speaking of course.

It does hang well although the swish isn't very swishy.

Found a nice kilt pin to go with it though. It's a St Justine Pewter Brooch from Cornwall supplied by a different trader and is quite Bayeux-esk if you ask me... maybe not!

It's a nice kilt for knocking about in but I'll probably make this my last acrylic. At least now I know! In hindsight I do think I should have left the £60 in the fund.

**Colonel MacNeal** · 25th June 09, 05:49 PM

Thanks for this review. I'm visiting their shop in Paris next month, and will get to see their entire line.

Like you, I also have Norman roots, but we would have to pay a lot more for the Normandy tartan kilt, than for this Breton tartan kilt. The Breton walking tartan, and the Breton hunting tartan (Menez Du - dark mountains) are also very nice.

Cheers, ColMac

**English Bloke** · 25th June 09, 05:58 PM

This is obviously an imported kilt and I imagine their range of wool kilts are vastly different. The Tartans they offer in their bespoke range are very nice indeed but a bit out of my price bracket at the moment... T'was ever thus.

Have a great time in Paris Colonel. It's a fantastic city

I might add that it was your comments regarding ebay france that pointed me there in the first place so it's your b****y fault

**GMan** · 25th June 09, 06:08 PM

I like that.

**WBurns** · 25th June 09, 06:32 PM

I like the tartan I thinks it looks like a great buy for you.

**fudgeman** · 25th June 09, 06:33 PM

Good looking kilt. Congrats.

**MacAngus** · 25th June 09, 08:57 PM

I've always liked that tartan . Very cool kilt pin as well the breton flag is badass too.

**Sammac** · 25th June 09, 10:50 PM

Cool kilt pin. Nice tartan,I rather like kilts pleated to stripe.

**Rollo** · 26th June 09, 12:27 AM

Great looking !

**Ancienne Alliance** · 26th June 09, 02:18 AM

I love your kilt pin.

I only heard complaints about La Maison du Kilt.

I myself gave them a phone call them once... The person that answered didn't even know what 16oz tartan fabric was .

They also have a very summary and personal definition of what they define as being "a real kilt" .

To sum it up, for years (before internet) they were alone on the kilt market in France. If you didn't speak English, you had to go through them.

But hings have changed... and they can't stand it.

Pm me if you want details unfit for this family friendly forum.

Best,

Robert