Freedom Kilt fabric choices.....

[Alaskan Kilted Guy]

Hello all. I am currently in the process of figuring out what fabric I would like for my upcoming kilt purchase. I was initially thinking about getting a heavy cotton, but I am admittedly lazy and I don't enjoy ironing. I am now considering the poly/cotton blend in a casual model. My main concern with this is the light weight fabric's potential for "flyaways".


Any suggestions or advice would be helpful and appreciated. Oh, my only other kilt at this point is a tan Amerikilt. So that is my only experience with kilts so far. Thanks in advance!!

[kilted kid]

I have the poly cotton and works fine for me. Iam a truck driver and see lots of wind out on the road and I havent had a fly away yet.

[Big Mikey]

My FK is the winter weight cotton and is worthy of its name. It is very heavy but also very comfortable. As to the ironing thing, I don't. The pleats curl a bit but there is still no mistaking that it IS a kilt. I treat this kilt like it is a pair of j@#$s, it just gets better with each wearing. Take a look.................

[ccga3359]

I have a dessert camo FK. No flyaways but a pleasure to wear. It maybe a bit lighter than the poly/cotton material you're looking at. Be aware Steve sews the edge on the pleats to keep them sharp.

[The Wizard of BC]

The Poly/Cotton I use is advertised at 9oz. This seems light when compared to Wool Tartan fabric but it is a dense and firm fabric that holds it's shape well and resists fly-away very well.

I also build into my kilts A LOT of fabric. (Poly/Cotton is far cheaper than Tartan so the difference is not noticeable in the price.) There is extra fabric at the apron edges, extra fabric in the deep and reverse pleats, and extra depth to each individual pleat. All done to allow the pleats to "Swish" but heavy enough to avoid fly-away. Depending on your hip measurement you will have on average between 8 and 9 yards of fabric in your kilt.

Without a kilt pin I notice the outer apron edge will sometimes flip up in a stiff breeze such as when rounding a corner of a building and getting caught by a gust. But that gust needs to be in the magnitude of 30mph for the apron to flip up. Even a small kilt pin stops it.

In the Cargo and Casual Models I use buttons for the apron closure and they extend lower than the hip strap and that helps too.

I can't compare my fabrics to that of Amerikilt as I've only seen two of them, but those who own both report that my fabric is heavier and my construction puts more weight lower down on the kilt.

I hope this helps.

[Alaskan Kilted Guy]

Thanks everyone for the responses! I think I am going to get the casual in poly/cotton. I am truly looking forward to submitting an order. I just need to measure up, (great video by the way Steve) and get my order in. The jonesning is already starting...........

[ccga3359]

Wise choice might I say, now speaking of choices better start thinking about pockets. I do recommend the front slash pockets, I wish all of my kilts had them.

[Riverkilt]

Weird, I've had the wind Marilyn Monroe my Utilikilts leather kilt, but never my Freedom Kilts dress model...go figure.



Leather kilt in the wind.



Freedom Kilts dress model after a ten hour day at the office, mostly sitting on it.

Nice thing about kilts in the wind, if the wind blows from the left the wind keeps the apron shut. If the wind blows from the right and flips up the apron it also holds the underapron in place preventing exposure.

Wind that comes up under the kilt - from under vehicles or grates - is the main challenge.

I reccomend walking or hiking somewhere private in the wind to get used to how the wind plays with the kilt and getting used to the "almost" feeling that doesn't really reveal anything. We guys are new to this feeling women have learned to accept.

Ron

[Alaskan Kilted Guy]

Pockets... oh yes. I figure I will get at least one rear "wallet" pocket. I was really unsure about the slash pockets....never had em on a kilt. I have one suggestion for getting them... any negatives... or other comments on slash pockets?

[Big Mikey]

Go For All Of'em!! Two cargos, two rear welt, two side slash, one hidden apron!! That should cover anything you may need to carry!!