Any experience with...

[Colin]

I tried on a handmade kilt at the shop in Salt Lake and the scot blood got the better of me

I think we should remember that the Scots are frugal people not cheap people. Frugal meaning buy one quality product that will last a life time and never need replacing. We, in North America, have been walmart-ized into the thought process of buy more of the cheaper version and just replace it with a new one in a year or two when the old one wears out. Quality over quanity is frugal not cheap.

I wish I had stopped at one or two casual kilts and than saved up for a traditional.

[Panache]

Scottish Chi,

I promised a Stillwater review here it is.

I ordered online at about 3:00 PM PST the Saturday before Easter, I recieved confirmation of my payment and that the order had been packed by 10 AM PST the Monday after Easter, and at 3:00 PM PST Wednesday afternoon a big package arrived from Stillwater. So far Stillwater Kilts gets 10 out of 10 points for amazing speed of delivery.

(A side Note: My basis for comparison is my Utilikilt Mocker and my Economy Black Watch Kilt from the Celtic Croft. My wife felt the Economy Celtic Croft Kilt was too light, too "costume like". Before, I disagreed with her, but after wearing the Stillwater Kilts I think she had a point. )

My Black heavyweight "Shadow Tartan" kilt is heavy, with thick leather straps, and two loops in back for my sporran belt. It is well made and makes me finally understand the "tank" references for heavy kilts that are used on this board. I think it looks great and makes me feel like a million bucks when I wear it.

I was really surprised at the Stillwater "Standard" Hunting McCleod. This was something of an impulse buy for me. My wife is a Seward, a member of the clan McCleod. I have to admit to not being overly fond of the "Loud McCleod" yellow tartan. When I saw the "Hunting McCleod" standard I thought "Well why not". I felt I could justify the tartan as a way of honoring my beloved wife. You know that Rocky recently posted that PVC nowdays was very different from the leisure suits of yore, and he was right! It may not have been true wool but I had a hard time telling the difference in looks or feel between it and wool (though wool heavyweight is indeed heavier and has a better "swish" ). The "Standard" also features heavy straps and buckles and two sporran belt loops in the back of the kilt.

I feel that both kilts represent EXCELLENT value for the money. I wrote in my review of my Black Watch Celtic Croft Economy Kilt that I wouldn't buy another Economy kilt from them. I am very much looking forward to Stillwater kilts getting some Royal Stewart Standard kilts in stock. Not only would I buy again, I'm ready to buy again!

By the by, I ordered the black braided sporran and was very pleased with the quality I recieved for a $35 investment.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. So here are a few of my Stillwater Kilts.

Standard Hunting McCleod with a T shirt and my new braided sporran (not my normal look)




Standard Hunting McCleod with collarless dress shirt (much more the real me)




Heavyweight Black "Shadow Tartan" Kilt with dress shirt (that's me)



I should note that exactly as advertised, in certain lights you can see a pattern to the "Shadow Tartan". I HIGHLY recommend Stillwater's kilts. Among my list of things to do this week now includes writing a big thank you letter to Stillwater kilts.

Hope this helps

Cheers

[Big Dave]

Great pics Panache.

[LoftGuy]

Panache,

Great pics and well done review; thanks very much.

Bob

[billmcc]

When I saw the "Hunting McCleod" standard I thought "Well why not". I felt I could justify the tartan as a way of honoring my beloved wife. You know that Rocky recently posted that PVC nowdays was very different from the leisure suits of yore, and he was right!

I don't want to be rude, but this statement needs to be corrected to prevent confusion. Rocky stated that PV (poly-viscose) nowdays was very different from the leisure suits of yore, not PVC. PVC is very different from PV. Also, Stillwater standard kilts are made of Acrylic, which is not the same as PV.

Otherwise, your review was very informative. Thank you, Panache.

[Panache]

I don't want to be rude, but this statement needs to be corrected to prevent confusion. Rocky stated that PV (poly-viscose) nowdays was very different from the leisure suits of yore, not PVC. PVC is very different from PV. Also, Stillwater standard kilts are made of Acrylic, which is not the same as PV.

OOPS! No offense taken. Thanks for setting the record straight billmcc

[macwilkin]

I tried on a handmade kilt at the shop in Salt Lake and the scot blood got the better of me

I think we should remember that the Scots are frugal people not cheap people. Frugal meaning buy one quality product that will last a life time and never need replacing. We, in North America, have been walmart-ized into the thought process of buy more of the cheaper version and just replace it with a new one in a year or two when the old one wears out. Quality over quanity is frugal not cheap.

I wish I had stopped at one or two casual kilts and than saved up for a traditional.

Hear, hear, Colin!

My definition of being frgual, which came from my Scots grandmother, was that you may only own one of something, but it's the best you can buy so you won't have to buy another one! :mrgreen:

Todd

[mbhandy]

I think we should remember that the Scots are frugal people not cheap people. Frugal meaning buy one quality product that will last a life time and never need replacing. We, in North America, have been walmart-ized into the thought process of buy more of the cheaper version and just replace it with a new one in a year or two when the old one wears out. Quality over quanity is frugal not cheap.

So I allready had the SWK BW and I tried on the Handmade Kilt from Scotland and the only diference I could tell was (and it might be just my body type)slightly lighter weight. They also had some summer weight kilts and the SWK was a little heaver. :confused:
So for my purpose (not a hard core TRADITIONALIST or Piper.) I don't see the need to spend that much money on something that has the Quality I have in the Stillwater Kilt Heavyweight Black Watch Kilt. I also think that the Quality is a Life time thing, OK I am 59, now if I were 30 something. I use to wear Customed wool suits and I know Ouality in apparel.
If I wanted inexpensive I would go with the economy version which I have to Kick about in. I was only posting a review, like Ron saying they are too long for Him. :rolleyes:

MrBill

[Panache]

Scottish Chi,

I'll be interested in your review of the Saffron Heavyweight.

Cheers