Newbie Post and some Q's

**Mr. bone** · 11th April 08, 07:36 AM

Welcome inkrat from another newbie! and might I say, Nice ink!

**McNulty** · 11th April 08, 04:55 AM

SWK has a great line for the money. The standards are acryllic, cool in the summer (even in the Chi-town humidity) and very versatile. The heavyweights are wool and are great for all year round wear (though not sure how a 16oz wool would feel in heat AND humidity). Both work great for me here in Colorado. We used to live in Chicago (Glenview) and moved out here 5 years ago. I currently have 5 SWK standards I use for everyday wear and for hiking, 2 SWK heavyweights for school(dressy) and a couple of 16oz wool custom mades for really dressing up. I, like a lot of Xmarkers, had a bad experience with Frugal Coroner service and I will stay away from using them again. You can't go wrong with any of the companies that advertise on XMTS, but I really like the best bang for the buck from SWK, and Jerry's service is incredible.
Oh, and Welcome from the Western Slope!
Nulty

**cacunn** · 11th April 08, 05:23 AM

Welcome to X-Marks. I have a SWK Thrifty, USA Kilts casual and Semi-traditional. I would say the SWK Thrifty may be a little light for the wind off the lakes. I like it and find it good for warm days around town. Both of the USA Kilts are excellent, (well so is the SWK for the price) and I think both would work for you the Semi-trad is a little heavier made to measure fits great. The USA casual is made to a waist measurement as are SWK's Thrify with a generic taper. I think the Poly-Viscus material used by USA is better able to handle abuse than the SWK.

I have seen but not worn the SWK wool kilts and they look good for the price, but for what I understand you are looking for I would recommend Kelly and Rocky at USA Kilts.

If you are looking for multiple buys check out some of the non-tartan kilts such as Freedom Kilts. I don't own a commercial non-tartan, but, I love the one I made using a modified X-Marks pattern.

So many choices so little money.

**McFarkus** · 11th April 08, 06:04 AM

from Rogers Park on Chicago's North side. I have two SWK heavyweights which are great, and one Thrifty in Irish National that I bought just for St. Pat's. Have had no problems with any of them. But for the wind - always wear a kilt pin. I also always wear a sporran which helps keep the kilt apron down in the wind.

I'm not fond of 'em but at least you can see how high this one goes.

Doesn't look so high for a standard kilt, or especially a military kilt. You might get a wide kilt belt, like the ones Steve Frazier makes over at Oconee Leather Works. Worn at the "true" waist (above the hips) this will make the kilt look less long.

**michaelbeeman** · 11th April 08, 08:22 AM

Welcome, Inkrat!

I have 11 Utilikilts, 3 SWK, and 1 16oz. tank from Scotland. With my SWK's, 2 are Standard weight and 1 Heavyweight. I am very happy with both of those, however, the heavier is better in the wind. Here in No. Colorado it gets pretty darned windy, nothing like the city, of course, and my heavyweight with a sporran does just fine.

(BTW - I have a tattoo picture thread going, please consider popping over and sharing your ink!)

**Ozman1944** · 11th April 08, 07:36 AM

Stillwater standard is Acrylic; and a good weight; the cloth is soft, 'wool-like', and quite comfortable. Very easy to clean, of course; toss it in the wash,(cold), then hang dry. The price is great too, and delivery is almost instant!

**mbhandy** · 11th April 08, 07:48 AM

Welcome to XMarks,
I have a SWK in HW, Standard,Thrifty, and a Sports kilt. Would not wear the thrifty to the mall but to get milk at the store??

The wind problem is wear a sporran or if real modest wear some type of underwear (I prefer black boxer briefs,when preforming cart wheels.

)
Last summer I did some hiking in the Sports kilt did not wear a sporran but had a back pack on and except for the mossies was quite comfortable.

I live a 6400 feet and hike at 8100 or above in the summer. In the late fall and early spring we go to Moab and bike, NOT Kilted but I did wear the SWK Standard around town and it is windy but with the Sporran on I had no problem.
The SWK HW is not worsted but is quite rugged and for the price I will be getting some more when Jerry gets some more in, in my size and I have the extra cash.

MrBill

**Donnie** · 11th April 08, 09:31 AM

:welcome to Xmarks. Rocky a USAKilts does a wonderful job. His casual kilts are not nearly as thin as a sportkilt. I have both. I don't ever wear the sportkilt anymore, even around the house. Wouldn't own anything but USAKilts!

**Bugbear** · 11th April 08, 09:45 AM

Welcome.

**Colin** · 11th April 08, 10:19 AM

You can't go wrong with a custom made from USA Kilts. For the little difference in cost the difference in fit and quality is worth it. If you are concerned about measuring properly one of the benefits of dealing with a kilt MAKER as opposed to a Kilt reseller is that you can speak directly with the person making your kilts. Rocky is well known for his quality kilts as well as for his customer service. If it is just the casual model you are looking for, I believe they do have some off the rack models as well.

Personally I would give Rocky and call and see what he has in stock before I even considered an acrylic. I have owned acrylic and I have owned Polyviscose and for casual wear nothing beats the PV carried by USA kilts. Machine washable, teflon coated, comfortable as can be, and it has a better look and hang than the acrylic in my opinion.

Welcome to the forum by the way.