PV versus Wool

[beloitpiper]

I've always tried to stay away from PV kilts. I have one, but I don't wear it often, only when doing hard labor or grunt work. Wool just looks and feels better, and to seasoned kilt wearers, the difference is noticeable.

[Colin]

I've always tried to stay away from PV kilts. I have one, but I don't wear it often, only when doing hard labor or grunt work. Wool just looks and feels better, and to seasoned kilt wearers, the difference is noticeable.

Where did you get the PV kilt from though? Ionly ask, as a few companies have been said to seel kilt sin PV, but I only know of 3 that sell the Marton Mills PV right now. That's USA Kilts, Canadian Casual Kilts, and Tartanweb (and Bear, but he's not taking orders right now).

[auld argonian]

I'm definitely coveting a semi-trad from USAK in the PV. I have a casual from them and it's just a darn fine kilt. The material is fer sure lighter weight than wool but it still looks very good and is very comfortable. It's THE next best thing to wool. If your budget allowed a semi-trad in PV in the Army Tartan, I'd think that you'd find it versatile enough to wear for dress and casual.

Best

AA

[RockyR]

DISCLAIMER: I am obviously biased as I own a company that sells both PV and wool kilts, so please take that into consideration while reading my response below:

Owning both, here's my take... much like Steve Ashton's, I agree that wool is by far the superior fabric to make a kilt from. I own and wear dozens of wool kilts and wear them most often.

That being said, if you're on a budget, PV is the best (in my mind the ONLY) alternative to wool. I have several PV kilts and wear them relatively often as well... they've been washed dozens of times and still look fine.

The pros of PV:
it's machine washable
it's coated with Teflon (the PV the WE get is)
it's much more affordable than wool.
*IMHO: it is much nicer than any other fabric in the low end pricepoint tartan fabrics

The Cons of PV:
It's only an 11 - 12 oz fabric (PV from MM is between 11 and 12 oz... although a few higher priced wool kilts are made in 11 oz material, a VAST majority are made in 13 or 16 oz wool)
Limited tartan selection
it's not wool... wool is the nicest fabric for a kit for those with the money

Bottom line: The decision is yours. Some people will ONLY buy a wool kilt, no matter what the cost. Others can not afford wool and will only buy PV. Some people are alergic to wool and like PV. We've had customers that have gotten married in a Semi Trad PV kilt. We've had people who won't wear a kilt (even to the pub) unless it's an 8 yard wool kilt.

Is wool worth the price on YOUR budget or will you be happy with a PV kilt? That's the question you have to ask and only you can answer. On XMARKS, you'll find people who come down on both sides of that fence.

We (USA Kilts) did a special run of the Army tartan in PV (1 time run only) and have about 30 meters left. We (and ANY reputable kiltmaker) can also get it in 13 oz wool.

Good luck with your decision!

[beloitpiper]

Where did you get the PV kilt from though? Ionly ask, as a few companies have been said to seel kilt sin PV, but I only know of 3 that sell the Marton Mills PV right now. That's USA Kilts, Canadian Casual Kilts, and Tartanweb (and Bear, but he's not taking orders right now).

Frugal Corner. Or is this acrylic? Maybe that's why I have such a low opinion on PV....

[RockyR]

Frugal Corner. Or is this acrylic? Maybe that's why I have such a low opinion on PV....

Frugal Corner does NOT use PV (at least the high quality PV that we and Canadian casual kilts use). The kilts are made in Pakistan from Pakistani materials like Acrylic and "wool blends" (not a put down on Pakistan, just stating facts)... just like Stillwater Kilts. Our kilts are made in the US of UK materials (PV from MM).

PLEASE do not just PV based on a Frugal Corner kilt. If you'd like a swatch of PV, send me a SASE and I'll send you one so that you can tell the difference. Include a note of what tartan you'd like to see from our website.