FINALLY! Critique from a REAL SCOTTSMAN! Welcome Robbie!
And actually, that's not me, lads! (You'd then see the cane I require to walk!) The pic is from Stillwater's own website.
Now… an "expensive" kilt versus a "real" kilt isn’t really what I thought we were getting at. I still maintain that an inexpensive kilt can still be a real kilt.
I most assuredly know the difference between my Stillwater and an “expensive” kilt... which is why I try not to stand right next to our Pipers, and their Scottish, Worsted Wool, 8-yarders!
Although my 7-yard Stillwater kilts certainly didn't come from such lineage, few (if any) notice the differences that Robbie has. They definitely do just fine for me, and I have received many compliments; happily most of these coming from the ladies!

Having only owned a few velcro closure SportKilts up to this point, the strap and buckle system was uncharted territory for me.
And Robbie is quite correct. The first thing I found was that the kilt WILL pull across the lower stomach if the strap is tightened only one notch too tight.

The sett on my Stewart carries nicely, and is virtually perfect, but it isn't quite as well done on my Black Watch. However, it's still more than passable.
I wore the BW to my bible study group, and then to our Irish Club's music night last night, and assumed that the pleats were going to be a mess, but they are quite crisp, and not even in need of a touch-up.
I have to give the acrylic material used in these kilts a bit of credit. I really didn't think it would hold up this well.

These kilts hit me at mid-knee, and although the wonderful book So You're Going To Wear The Kilt defines this as too long, I find it to be just right, and more personally comfortable. My SportKilts, which hit me above the knee, where So You're Going To Wear The Kilt says a kilt should, just didn't feel right to me. For the sake of my own peace of mind I'm willing to look a bit silly to an actual Scottish person!
By the way, if you haven't already gotten a copy of So You're Going To Wear The Kilt get one! I haven't had time to do much more than skim my copy, but I've learned a lot already and been quite entertained in the process!

All in all I'm quite pleased with my Stillwater Kilts and the material they're made from.
To be dead honest I'm not really sure I'd want to own an "expensive" kilt. That first splash of Guiness would make me ill! I like knowing that I can wear my kilt care-free, and simply throw it in the washer when it needs to be. Besides, how many dry-cleaners in South Dakota are going to know how to properly press a kilt!? ….or possibly even recognize one!

Take Care Lads! - Dakotan