J Peterman kilts

[DE Tommy]

Greetings my friends,
Has anyone here ever purchased a j peterman kilt? They sell them each year at Christmas and I was thinking that now that they are on sale it might be a nice time to pick up a black watch kilt on sale. I was wondering about the quality of wool, how many yards in their kilts and general quality. Anyone have any experience with them?
I am used to well made custom kilts and not the economy or utility versions, not that there's anything wrong with them.
Thank you Thomas.

[Garth]

Personal opinion my friend. I'd refrain from giving them my money. A suggestion might be is to support one of the fine kilt makers on this site. They have been tried, tested and withstood the indurance of time. Professional using the finest materials available. Costs more however worth it. The best in the kilting industry. Why would you go anywhere else?

Ps. Check their FAQ's on their website. FYI J Peterman, Africa is not a country.

[DE Tommy]

Personal opinion my friend. I'd refrain from giving them my money. A suggestion might be is to support one of the fine kilt makers on this site. They have been tried, tested and withstood the indurance of time. Professional using the finest materials available. Costs more however worth it. The best in the kilting industry. Why would you go anywhere else?

Ps. Check their FAQ's on their website. FYI J Peterman, Africa is not a country.

Thank you, you make an excellent point. I'm going to Scotland this summer anyway. Perhaps I'll just wait. I already own 3 kilts.

[Jock Scot]

Thank you, you make an excellent point. I'm going to Scotland this summer anyway. Perhaps I'll just wait. I already own 3 kilts.

A word of warning. Not all kilts sold in Scotland are made well and sadly, not all kilts made in Scotland are made well either. Do your research before you come.

[Tobus]

I'll agree with the others that J. Peterman is not the place to buy a kilt. I'd stick with a known kiltmaker, and someone who actually specialises in kilts that are custom-made to your size. I wasn't aware that this company sold kilts until I read this thread, so I looked it up out of curiosity.

https://www.jpeterman.com/item/mtr-5.../scottish-kilt

The description is as follows:

The Queen’s Own.
At Waterloo, with French musket fire surrounding him, Piper Kenneth Mackay moved outside the protection of the 79th’s regimental square, a move his countrymen surely thought was a death sentence. However, as he played Cogathd na Sithd on his pipes, the musket fire from Napoleon’s Imperial Guard somehow missed. Galvanized by the historic tune, his comrades pressed on.
The Duke of Wellington’s army, consisting of British (two-thirds Scottish, Welsh and Irish), Germans, Dutch, and Belgians, and a sizable Prussian force that was allowed to catch up to the battle due largely to Napoleon’s hesitation gaff, overwhelmed the French Army with an onslaught of massive firepower. The rest, as they say, is history.
For formal affairs all over the world, we must never forget that real men definitely, defiantly, and distinguishably wear kilts. I recently wore my black watch dress to a formal affair assuming I’d be the only contrarian. Much to my surprise, there was a like-minded sophisticate in his black watch as well. That’s why we’re carrying the Royal Stewart too.
Scottish Kilt (No. 5284). 100% worsted wool with Teflon coating for stain resistance. Lining is 7 oz 100% cotton twill. Dagger pin included. Straps are premium top grade leather embossed with Celtic knot pattern. Fabric from Scotland, made in Pennsylvania.
Colors: Black Watch Tartan, Royal Stewart Tartan.
Men’s sizes: Actual measurements on the strap when the kilt is worn ABOVE the belly button. Good rule of thumb is to add 2” to your pant size.
Small: 32” to 36.5”
Medium: 36” to 40.5”
Large: 40” to 44.5”
X-Large: 44” to 48.5”
XX-Large: 48” to 52.5”

These are, obviously, off-the-rack kilts with no mention of length, total yardage, tartan weight, pleating, hip flare, or other important details. I do find it interesting that they mention they are 100% wool with teflon coating, and that the kilts are made in Pennsylvania. It almost sounds like this is Marton Mills material, with the kilts subcontracted through USA Kilts. Pure conjecture on my part, of course; perhaps Rocky could confirm or deny?

Anyway, for the web price of $429 that they are advertising, that is a very high price for an off-the-rack kilt that is short on details. For just $50 more, one of Rocky's 8-yard top-stitched kilts could actually be made to your precise measurements, and with a much wider selection of tartans.

[Tobinn]

These are, obviously, off-the-rack kilts with no mention of length, total yardage, tartan weight, pleating, hip flare, or other important details. I do find it interesting that they mention they are 100% wool with teflon coating, and that the kilts are made in Pennsylvania. It almost sounds like this is Marton Mills material, with the kilts subcontracted through USA Kilts. Pure conjecture on my part, of course; perhaps Rocky could confirm or deny?

Anyway, for the web price of $429 that they are advertising, that is a very high price for an off-the-rack kilt that is short on details. For just $50 more, one of Rocky's 8-yard top-stitched kilts could actually be made to your precise measurements, and with a much wider selection of tartans.

Just to chime in and add my two cents; in my vast experience with kilts stretching all the way back to the beginning of this year (ha, ha) I've not yet seen a Teflon-coated wool option advertised. I've seen Teflon coated PV. And believe you me, I've done some research (I found this website early on after all).

I'm willing to bet dollars to donuts (or haggis if you prefer; wild-caught not that farmed-raised stuff), and not to put words in anyone's mouth, that USAK doesn't sub out their work.

I would second your noting that for just a little bit more you'd get one of Rocky's eight-yard wool kilts and, I would add, for about half the price a very nice PV kilt from USAK.

[Tobus]

Just to chime in and add my two cents; in my vast experience with kilts stretching all the way back to the beginning of this year (ha, ha) I've not yet seen a Teflon-coated wool option advertised. I've seen Teflon coated PV. And believe you me, I've done some research (I found this website early on after all).

I'm willing to bet dollars to donuts (or haggis if you prefer; wild-caught not that farmed-raised stuff), and not to put words in anyone's mouth, that USAK doesn't sub out their work.

If you look at the Marton Mills site for their Jura range of tartan, they say it has a stain resistant finish, and we know they claim teflon on their PV tartan. I can't say for sure whether teflon is what they use on the Jura cloth, but they're using something, or so they say. They're the only mill I'm aware of that does this, which is why the teflon bit from J. Peterman made me think of them. And I know USA Kilts is in Pennsylvania and they use Marton Mills cloth, so it was a bit of fun to guess that maybe they're supplying kilts to J. Peterman. I don't know how you think I said USA Kilts is subbing out their work.

[Downunder Kilt]

I believe House of Edgar Nevis range of tartan is teflon coated as is Houston Kiltmakers in house tartan range. Cheers

[TheGratefulNed]

I don't know how much effort/work is required (so it might not be terribly feasible or cost-effective from a business standpoint), but they could be applying a Teflon-based/Teflon-like fabric protector to the wool themselves either before or after constructing the kilts.

[FossilHunter]

If you would like your kilt before going to the UK, then I recommend USAKilts. I believe they are located near Philly so you could even pop in to get measured if you're up that way. Rocky produces a good product.