New IOS Kilt from Woollen Mills, a review

**jmercier** · 23rd April 08, 02:05 PM

So a few months ago I ordered an "of the shelf" Isle of Skye tartan kilt from http://www.woollenmill.co.uk/

After ordering it, I was contacted and informed that they were out of the IoS tartan and that it would be a bit before they received their next delivery from Marton Mills. They use, for their off the shelf model, 13oz Marton Mills fabric.

I got notified last Thursday that they had created and shipped my kilt, and today it arrived!

It came double bagged inside two heavy duty plastic mailing bags.

This is how it looked upon being removed from the bag.

To my surprise they gave me a free set of IoS flashes along with the kilt, that was a very nice gesture.

There were no basting stitches, but the pleats were in perfect condition right out of the bag, as was the apron, with no major discernible wrinkles. Just a few minor ones.

The quality of workmanship is excellent, the buckles are good quality, the leather straps are hefty duty. The pair of belt loops in the back and the places the buckles are attached are made with tartan matching the sett at that point. Little details like the corner of the under apron being angled up so that when you sit it doesn't hang out when you sit down. The edge of the apron is nicely triple fringed, and the fit is perfect. This is certainly the highest quality "off the shelf" kilt I've ever seen, and if I didn't know it was "off the shelf" (despite their having had to make one particularly for me) I'd have been none the wiser as to if I had ordered a custom made (albeit machine sewn) kilt of the same style.

Here's the picture of it worn, along with my gorgeous FB beaver fur sporran, sorry it's so fuzzy but it's hard to get pictures of oneself. Also I know that my belt is crooked, but I didn't want to straighten it and take another.

**McMurdo** · 23rd April 08, 02:10 PM

Congratulations on the kilt, I just love my Isle of Skye kilt and am sure you will enjoy yours for years to come.

**Nick the DSM** · 23rd April 08, 02:17 PM

wow, beautiful tartan.

**McClef** · 23rd April 08, 02:52 PM

I didn't get flashes with my "MacMillan" kilt from them!

But they are good for the price as several of us have found out by now!

**Ayin McFye** · 23rd April 08, 03:40 PM

Wow. I just absolutely love the IoS tartan. It's on my wish list but there are about 3 other kilts that are on my next to buy list before I get to that one. Great pictures, good review.

Thanks!

**Bugbear** · 23rd April 08, 03:44 PM

Sounds Great! congratulations, and thanks for the review.

**jmercier** · 23rd April 08, 04:03 PM

Originally Posted by McClef

I didn't get flashes with my "MacMillan" kilt from them!

But they are good for the price as several of us have found out by now!

Aye I think the flashes were a "sorry you had to wait an extra 6 weeks when it was listed as off the shelf and in stock" gift, and very nice of them to do.

Their customer service was good and the value of the product is great, I'd recommend them to anyone else looking for a high quality off the shelf kilt, without costing an arm and a leg. Now by no means was this cheap, but it was quite doable on a budget.

**ForresterModern** · 23rd April 08, 09:23 PM

I am now jonesing more than ever for my own IoS bespoke 8 yarder on order from scottishkilts now for nearly a month and hopefully due in the next couple weeks. I just love those soft but powerful hues of purple, maroon and green which complement each other so beautifully.

Congrats and thanks for the pics. They will have to satisfy my hunger for now.