Some people may have read of the issues I had with this kilt in this thread:
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=27467

So here is my tentative review of the kilt so far.

The first thing I noticed was the feel and the weight of the wool. My 8 yard handsewn from Scottishkilt.net is in a 16oz from the Jura Range made by Marton Mills. This new kilt is 13oz from Lochcarron (they were out of 16oz for the reorder). Both seem very good, but it will be interesting to see the mid weight in action. It's an interesting feel after owning heavyweght kilts, acrylic kilts, and PV kilts. I do really like the softness of the Lochcarron wool.

The major difference besides the weight and feel is the lack of a reverse pleat on the right hand side. I have grown accustomed to these and really prefer them. I can live without it, but I would have liked to have it as it was requested.

I am suprised at the number of slight differences between the handsewn and the machine sewn ordered from the same company. It was the handsewn and it's features that I have come to love, that made me consider another from the same source. However it seems that a different source is used for the hadsewn and for the machine sewns. Not an odd occurance for a distributor I would think. Next time I will stick with the same kiltmakers not necessarily with the same company.

I have not worn the kilt out yet, but it does sit well and it has a nice feeling to it. I prefer the handsewn from Scottishkilts.net, but this machine sewn will make a nice casual 8 yard kilt so that I can save the handsewn for the nicer occasions.

All in all I would give this kilt a 7 (at this time). I have not owned a 10 and this one would easly be an 8 if it had that reverse pleat and a bit deeper of a pleat on the left. All in all, still a good kilt. I love the tartan the most so it earns extra for that.

Here are a few pics (excuse the quality they are from my cell as I could not find the digital):

front apron (with the perfect sporran)
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/210/4...f5d5fbb464.jpg

right side (missing reverse pleat)
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/191/4...dc07c01735.jpg

side by side with the handsewn Ancient Watson
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/231/4...1d895813b2.jpg

pleating (fresh from the box- no basting stitches used with the machine sewn kilts)
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/215/4...fb8430ac97.jpg

For comparisson, I did take a few shots of the 5 yard that I sent back. It was also in Weathered MacKenzie, but in the 16 oz from Lochcarron. The 5 yard looked really good, but I just prefer the 8 yards. I have 2 PV 4 yard kilts so another 8 yard was a better solution for me.

Still nice looking casual kilts though.

Obviously I didn't have any of me in it as it did not fit :)
pleats
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/151/4...b2cf6ac508.jpg

front apron
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/164/4...91c3b3bd81.jpg

second shot of the pleats
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/180/4...574e405c63.jpg

OMG!!! those weathered (some insist to call them reproduction) tartans are so beautiful!

Congrats! I'm sure you'll love this kilt and you'll forget the fuzz soon I hope.

:D

The new one looks good in the picture.

I love the weathered tartans, but wait...it doesn't have a reverse pleat?

**jaw drops** No, No, No , No, Nooooooo! for me, that would knock it out of the running . Thanks for telling me. it doesn't bother me that my USA Kilts Casual doesn't have a reverse pleat, that's a knockaround 4-yard PV kilt. No problem...but a 13 ounce wool kilt from Scotland with no reverse pleat?

I'm stunned.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Alan H

I love the weathered tartans, but wait...it doesn't have a reverse pleat?

**jaw drops** No, No, No , No, Nooooooo! for me, that would knock it out of the running . Thanks for telling me. it doesn't bother me that my USA Kilts Casual doesn't have a reverse pleat, that's a knockaround 4-yard PV kilt. No problem...but a 13 ounce wool kilt from Scotland with no reverse pleat?

I'm stunned.

---

the 5 yard didn't really suprise me as I had been warned about that so I had specifically requested the reverse pleat on the 5 yard (it didn't have one either). With the 8 yard I assumed it was standard but still requested it. The handsewn kilts have them.

Colin, that's a good looking kilt you got there.

I'm a little surprised that there is no reverse pleat, but as long as you are happy and comfortable in the kilt that's all that matters. It's a really beautiful tartan.

Well, I actually had the opportunity to wear my new Weathered MacKenzie kilt. I wore it this past Saturday night as my father and I went to see the SFU pipeband in concert. I have been wearing my Watson alot lately, so I thought it would be a good night to break in the MacKenzie.

Here is a bit of a good and bad review of the kilt

First the bad:
-that lack of the reverse pleat bugs the hell out of me, and I expected more from Scottishkilts.net. For a 5 yard ok, but for an 8..... come on! even the pakistani kilts have a reverse pleat in them....
-The pleats are quite shallow. I would be shocked if this was actually an 8 yard kilt.

The good:
-Holy crap is this 13oz wool from Lochcarron nice!!! It's so soft, very confortable, and while it wrinkles more that the 16 oz from Marton mills, it's a beautiful wool.
-Despite the lack of the reverse pleat (have I mentioned that yet) the kilt hangs fairly nicely and it swings well.
-The tartan is beautiful (I credit myself for this choice, not the company that made it).
-The machine sewn 8 yards are a pretty decent casual kilt. It will be great for the BC Highland games this coming weekend, and for Canada Day the next day.
-the 13oz is a bit cooler, and will be nice in the summer months.
All in all a decent kilt. I have better, but it will do for the more casual events. This will let me save my handsewn 16 oz for those nicer times.