Questions about a website

**Sir Didymous** · 17th December 12, 05:35 PM

Has anyone here ever bought anything from www.kiltmart.com ? I was given one of their kilts (not sure which grade it was since they sell several and I'm rather new at this whole kilt thing), and it seemed decent enough but alas it was too small and I didn't have the opportunity to get any wear out of it. I was browsing their site and was considering getting one of their "affordable kilts" in the Hunting Stewart tartan (I've always liked that one) and either a grey or brown "Swordsman's vest". I know the vest just screams "Renni!", but I normally wear doublets with my great kilt and that vest seems like a small step toward modern.

Anyhow, I was just fishing for some opinions and/or reviews.

**sailortats** · 17th December 12, 05:44 PM

I have bought a couple of small items from them and have been very satisfied with the items and the service. I cannot speak to the quality of their kilts however as I have not bought any from them.

**mookien** · 17th December 12, 10:50 PM

Like "sailortats", I too have bought kilt accessories from Kilt Mart, eg a very nice plate belt. Their service was excellent!

Their "affordable kilts" are indeed affordable, approximately an order of magnitude less expensive than wool kilts. But, they are acrylic - not wool. Most folks do not like acrylic material, if for no other reason than it is very flammable. You are better off with PV (polyviscose) - more expensive than acrylic, but significantly less expensive than wool and a much "better" (eg safer) material for a kilt.

If cost isn't inescapably dominant in your situation, I recommend saving up for a USA Kilts "Casual" or "Semi Traditional" model in the Stewart Hunting. In any event good luck on your decision.

**BBNC** · 20th December 12, 04:11 AM

Besides the flammability issue, I'm a cigar smoker and have burnt holes in synthetic shirts, I find acrylic gives me a hot and sticky feeling, wool less so. In the 70's, the Navy had a primarily synthetic work uniform, that really sucked! I was glad they allowed the original cotton dungarees if we wished. I would think that a soft cotton would hang and swing better than any synthetic fiber, if one were looking for something more affordable. Does anyone make cotton tartan?

**mookien** · 20th December 12, 09:57 AM

Originally Posted by BBNC

... Does anyone make cotton tartan?

Bruce: There is The Scottish Weaver at

http://www.thescottishweaver.com/Cot...anPlaidFabric/

I would be concerned about cotton being very wrinkle prone, but what do I know?

John

**Nik** · 20th December 12, 01:30 PM

Here is a review by one of the regulars here on XMTS.
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-review-40258/

It's a review of their affordable kilts. Not sure if that is what you have but it's really good. And according to the author, if you have a japanese seamstress, you can have a very nice kilt for the price.

-Nik

**Sir Didymous** · 20th December 12, 06:22 PM

Well, I read the review (thanks for the link BTW), and it sounds like the KM kilt might be roughly what I'm looking for. I need a kilt that I can knock around in and also do some fight training in. I don't like the idea of using my thrice dyed woad and black great kilt when just practicing (I'm learning how to fight with a dirk and targe). My reenactment portrayl is a dye merchant and therefore not likely to fight, but I always like having an alternate portrayal up my sleeve. I wouldn't use the KM kilt for events of course, but I need one I'm not afraid to beat up a bit for training.