First tanks---it's true

[gilmore]

I had never had or worn a hand-sewn, 16 ounce, 8 yard kilt, but for quite some time I have heard how wonderful they are, how there is no comparison to casual or other kilts, "they make you feel like a million dollars," etc.

It's all true.

I bought two that arrived from Scotland today. I was surprised to see that they each had been mailed simply rolled up, just wrapped in thick plastic, and the ends and the seam were taped up with duct tape, not in a box, no packing whatsoever. I expected them to be roughed up from the shipping. But when I opened them, I discovered they were both hardly even wrinkled, nothing that probably won't come out by hanging them up or perhaps steaming them in the bathroom with a warm shower. I doubt they will need drycleaning or even ironing.

Although they were not made for me, they fit quite well, having been made for some one about my height and with a waist about my size. They are both very well and solidly constructed, with the pleats sewn down to the fell, at the widest part of my seat. The pleats swing playfully when I walk like polyvicose never has.

They have a two inch rise that brings the top of the kilt just to the bottom of my rib cage, feeling wonderfully snug, a very comfortable fit.

I had heard it before, and now agree that it's better to save one's money for one or two good kilts rather than a closet full of so-so ones.

[Riverkilt]

See...ain't it wonderful!

Not sure where you are on the Earth, but hopefully there's a hand sewn kiltmaker near you, or you'll risk working with one of the trusted hand sewn kiltmakers you read about on the board.

'cause the next step is a hand sewn tank made to YOUR measuremets.

Its time,

Ron

[gilmore]

I plan to make it, or them, myself

[dragoninterrupted]

Congrats! I greatly look forward to my first tank, after all I have heard and read Having been kilted since July, I cannot imagine ever going back to trousers that are mass-produced and often ill-fitting.

Kilts for life!

[David Dalglish]

Congratulations on your first two tanks, you can't beat a well made wool kilt

[GMan]

The luxury is wonderful isn't it? Glad that you found it out.

[ckelly327]

I tend to wear my tank for special occasions and have worn it twice so far this month. I have 2 more dinners and Christmas Mass remaining this month so it's getting a workout. There's no way to compare it to the lesser kilts. Enjoy it for many years to come.

[turpin]

Total agreement here. I have four kilts total since july and have to take a break due to expenses (new head gasket on the '93 Sable, Xmas trip, new tires, yada yada yada). Fortunately 2 of them are 8-yard made to measure. Of the other 2, one is a SWK heavy, the other a UK Mocker my family gave me for my birthday.

I haven't tried a PV yet. This is the first I've heard that the swish is noticeably different from wool. How much so? I've been thinking USAK semi next spring.

[gilmore]

I don't know how to articulately quantify it, but one can tell the difference. Compared to "bouncy" 16 oz wool, the adjectives that come to mind for PVC are "clunky" and "leaden."

[TimC]

I too, just got my first tank - God, what a difference!

-Tim