I decided to compare my two kilts today, my new one from SWK and my first one, that came from a vendor at the Ohio Ren Fest. The SWK one feels more solid. It has wider and a little thicker straps, and much nicer buckles. Both have 2 belt loops, the same size and placement. The fabric on the Ren Fest one is thinner, and softer, which I think made it blow around a bit more than I expect the SWK one to. They both seem to weigh about the same. The place I bought the first one claims it is 75% Wool blend, (didn't say what the other 25% was) and it cost $120, the Stillwater was $75 (I think) and is 100% Acrylic. SWK has the double fringing, as compared to a single edge on the Ren fest. Both have the traditional bottom, but the pleats on the SWK seem more permanent, at least for now. The Ren fest one seems to smell almost like burning hair, the SWK kinda smells like a sweater. Pleat depth is identical where I checked. The buckles on the SWK are flat with nice soft curve like a hill, (I want to say convex, but I forget if its right. Its like a hill, flat on bottom) The other one I want to say has convex buckles, to me they seem upside down.


Top is the Black one from the ren fest, bottom is the SWK.
I am curious, should a wool blend be thinner and more airy than an acrylic? I wouldn't think a wool blend would be softer. Granted, I've worn the ren fest one a few times, and I haven't the SWK, but it still feels like the SWK standard is a much heavier fabric. Is it likely that the first one (the black one) isn't really wool at all? Overpriced of course, the dealer also claimed they were maid in Scotland, but there are no tags. (I don't think I would buy again from the dealer at the ren fest, perhaps it takes a second kilt to learn what a good kilt really is.)

Also, does the 'tailing' on the bottom seem kinda excessive for only being worn 3 or 4 times?