I would tend to agree with you on some of that. There really is not comparison between the PV and acrylic and wool kilts; heck, even different wool kilts from different mills! I just keep reading how everyone says their Saffron HW Shadows are softer than worsted wool kilts; mine is not the same! All my wool kilts (from my RG Lowrie all the way up to my 18oz box pleat Regimental kilts made in Scotland to my USA kilts from Rocky feel different than this one. I'm convinced it could stand up on its own if I tried!