SWK night out...

**zercool** · 19th February 07, 11:49 AM

My SWK Standard in "NightStalker" came Saturday morning; Sunday evening I wore it out for dinner with the lass and another couple...

My general feel? It's a very nice kilt. Well put-together, pleats are wonderful, fabric has a very nice hand, and it looks pretty darn good. (If I do say so myself!)

My only complaint? I feel it's a bit shorter than I'd prefer. Another inch or inch and a half would make the length ideal. (Hence the reason I order my UKs in "long"!)

(With the kilt hose, black flashes, and braided-basic sporran from SWK. My kilt pin decided to wander off in the course of the evening; I found it this morning on the floor mat of my car.)

I had been wearing a pair of plain black Skechers through the evening. Not quite brogues, but just as good in my book.

Somewhat surprisingly, I got *no* comments from folks out and about. I was expecting to hear at least something... A few friends asked if it was a "real plaid". Yes, it's a real tartan, no, it's not a clan tartan, because I have a bit of a problem with wearing a clan that's not my own. Just my personal opinion.

*sigh*

These blasted things are going to be an expensive addiction!

**IEScotsman** · 19th February 07, 12:13 PM

Sounds like you had a good night. And yes, this will be an expensive addiction. Marlboro and lung cancer might be cheaper.

**cavscout** · 19th February 07, 12:23 PM

You must be a rather tall guy if the 24" long Stillwater is that far above your knee and you're wearing it below your navel. Is the picture deceiving me?

Play around with some black or gray socks while you're at it. They can give a kilt different looks. Match it up to a gray or Black shirt or sweater and you'll look great also. It will tie the kilt into the outfit instead of making it standout on it's own.

Enjoy!

**David in Maryland** · 19th February 07, 12:52 PM

I will say that with me at 6'4", the 24" drop on the SWK comes slightly above my knee. My traditional kilt is 25" and comes just above the center of my knee. There are some of us where the 24" drop is almost too short.

**zercool** · 19th February 07, 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by cavscout

You must be a rather tall guy if the 24" long Stillwater is that far above your knee and you're wearing it below your navel. Is the picture deceiving me?
Enjoy!

I stand about 6'1" or 6'2", depending on which convenience store I'm leaving. With the SWK firmly on my hip line, the drop ends about an inch above my knees.

**Blu (Ontario)** · 19th February 07, 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by zercool

.... I feel it's a bit shorter than I'd prefer. Another inch or inch and a half would make the length ideal. (Hence the reason I order my UKs in "long"!)

Hopefully not so long it hides the knees... Kilts that are too long start to look like poodle skirts... and thats not good. The kilt length in your photo is just about right on the mark. Hamish has posted an excellent gallery of photos which I consider a "kilt wearers bible" of sorts.

... My kilt pin decided to wander off in the course of the evening; I found it this morning on the floor mat of my car.)

On the back side, push the pin through a piece of wide elastic band or surgical tube. If the clasp comes undone, it can't slip out of the fabric.

... These blasted things are going to be an expensive addiction!

Yahh?... wait 'til you get a hankerin' for an 8yd,16oz wool or genuine leather!

**McMurdo** · 19th February 07, 02:17 PM

Nice new kilt, and yes they can get expensive, but IMHO very worth it, enjoy.

**Bob C.** · 19th February 07, 03:04 PM

Originally Posted by zercool

My only complaint? I feel it's a bit shorter than I'd prefer. Another inch or inch and a half would make the length ideal.

Judging by the picture, you're already wearing it too long. Another 1.5 inches would make it look like a hostess skirt.

**Rusty** · 19th February 07, 03:12 PM

... My kilt pin decided to wander off in the course of the evening; I found it this morning on the floor mat of my car.)

Welcome to the Rabble, another idea to stop you losing your kilt pin is to use a pencil eraser.....

It's a little out of focus but you get the idea

**zercool** · 19th February 07, 09:42 PM

Ontario Blu, Bob C - while I appreciate your opinion, and I agree that The Hamish has some great shots, what it comes down to for me is not only what looks right, but what I'm comfortable wearing... and the SWK is bordering on "uncomfortable".

For comparison's sake, here's me in my UK original:

And my UK Survival:

And my AK: