PV quality

[Colin]

How do you suppose a poly/wool blend would compare to PV? (I only had a stillwater standard in PV, and I didn't like the kilt all that much....)

As far as I know, Stillwater kilts are acrylic, and not poly/viscose. I have a Canada kilt which is the same fabric as the stillwaters, and it looks and feels nothing like the PV fabric of my Bear kilts.

[Alan H]

I got in samples from a small Mill in England that makes tartan. I understand that they do some weaving for Strathmore; at least, so goes the rumour. They went me 9 inches by 60 inch swatches of poly-viscose (about 10.5 - 11 ounce) an 11 ounce wool and a 16 ounce wool. There were two samples in different tartans of each fabric.

I'm going to just state the truth as I saw it, though I fully admit that my eye is uneducated.

1. The poly-viscose and the 11 ounce wool were virtually indistinguishable. There IS a difference, but it's very, very difficult to see, and you have to have the fabric in your hand, close-up to see it. I had top ut on my reading glasses.

2. The 16 ounce wool was significantly different from the poly-viscose and the 11 ounce wool. However, "significantly" different was still a pretty small difference.

This is just in the appearance of the material, eh? I haven't seen those cloths made into a kilt, yet. Nonetheless, the material is not all that different in appearrance; it's just not.

Finally, I have to say that I'm getting really tired of the attitude of a number of people on the board about how anything but a kilt made from 8+ yards of 16 ounce, worsted twill woven by a Big Name Mill in Scotland is crap. Realize that the beautiful handmade garment I just described is a wonderful thing, but that there are alternatives and that they serve a worthwhile function, as well. The people who wear PV and other budget kilts have room in their world for the traditional garment. Can't you find room in your world for the more workaday one?

If the only kilts that exist were $600 a pop, then only wealthy die-hard traditionalists will ever own one. Not only that, but they'll wear them about once a three-four years to a wedding or a funeral,and God Forbid that they spill wine of coffee on it.... Everyone else will either rent them for one event in their lifetimes or completely forget what they are, leaving the whole thing to be relegated to the dry, thin pages of history books.

[beerbecue]

As far as I know, Stillwater kilts are acrylic, and not poly/viscose. I have a Canada kilt which is the same fabric as the stillwaters, and it looks and feels nothing like the PV fabric of my Bear kilts.

My misunderstanding, thanks for correcting me.

So, then I have to say I have no experience whatsoever with PV...

I sure would like a Bear kilt someday, tho. There are a few tartans I find very appealing from his site. I asked a lot of questions about them, and Terry has been helpful and patient. Now I just need the real job and to settle down, and the kilts will come......

[Thistle Stop]

Finally, I have to say that I'm getting really tired of the attitude of a number of people on the board about how anything but a kilt made from 8+ yards of 16 ounce, worsted twill woven by a Big Name Mill in Scotland is crap. Realize that the beautiful handmade garment I just described is a wonderful thing, but that there are alternatives and that they serve a worthwhile function, as well. The people who wear PV and other budget kilts have room in their world for the traditional garment. Can't you find room in your world for the more workaday one?

If the only kilts that exist were $600 a pop, then only wealthy die-hard traditionalists will ever own one. Not only that, but they'll wear them about once a three-four years to a wedding or a funeral,and God Forbid that they spill wine of coffee on it.... Everyone else will either rent them for one event in their lifetimes or completely forget what they are, leaving the whole thing to be relegated to the dry, thin pages of history books.

The fact that the 8-yd., 16-oz. worsted wool twill kilt is a wonderful garment does NOT make everything else crap, in my opinion, and I want to go on record as saying that there's plenty of justification for having less expensive kilts available!

I think the reason kilts are not worn more widely in Scotland today has to do with this perception (besides, of course, the change that occurred because of the Proscription, 250-odd years ago). For a long time, the only kind of kilt one could get was a woollen one, and even in 11-oz. or 13oz. wool they were very expensive. So those who didn't inherit one, and couldn't or didn't want to spend the money to have one made, got accustomed to hiring them for special occasions. When you've paid a big chunk of money to buy one, as many in the forum have pointed out, you will not be inclined to wear it all the time, lest it get damaged. Especially if one is a penny-pinching Scot!

The traditional 'tank' is a dream of a kilt, and I hope everyone in the X Marks group owns one someday. But I would never say that you should forego kilt-wearing until that day! Enjoy the PVs, the acrylics, the blends, the canvas and other materials made into kilts and kilt-like MUGs!

And if you do own a 'tank', don't be afraid to wear it a bit more often than just to weddings, etc. They are very tough, and will last through many insults and accidents that might spell the end of a lesser garment! If you're worried about stains, try spraying it with Scotchgard for protection. As for cleaning, the best way is a heavy-duty steamer, so if you want to wear your woollen kilt often, it might be a good idea to invest in one of those, maybe sharing it with another kilt-wearing friend.

[Graham]

Well said Cyndi, well said. You have put your finger right on the reasons kilts are not more of an everyday garment. I congratulate those kiltmakers who are providing cheaper alternatives, as well as top quality kilts, and while the vast number of kilt styles and materials can be confusing...at least we have lots of choices!

[Jimmy Carbomb]

Finally, I have to say that I'm getting really tired of the attitude of a number of people on the board about how anything but a kilt made from 8+ yards of 16 ounce, worsted twill woven by a Big Name Mill in Scotland is crap.

Let's see. I'm going to have to go through a LOAD of threads to find that group. As best as I know, there are a bunch that have a preference, or high regard, for the handsewn traditionals in wool... but that's fine. The majority of the members that I know that own one of those kilts, have about 4, 5, or more of the others... including myself.

In fact, I wear my others an average of 10/1 against the handsewns. Cotton/Viscose, Poly/Viscose, Cotton Twill, Poly Twill, Cotton Poly, Acrylic, Cotton Duck, Canvas, Wool Blends, Cotton/Wool Blends are all in my wardrobe.

Anyone out there REALLY only like and buy the "tanks"? If so, let me know where you work so that I can afford to do that!!!

[chacbalam]

Well this thread is certainly entertaining, but I doin't know if it is going anywhere. Lets see if I can sum it up. Some people don't like PV kilts and think that they wear poorly and prefer to use wool as their fabric of choice, others like PV kilts and think that they wear just fine.

I personally do not own a PV, yet - I will be talking to Bear before too long. I do Own a wool tank that I wear on special occasions, 2 UK canvas workmans that I wear all the time, and a new SWHK made of acrylic that I have worn twice (I just got it). Whick kilt do I like the most? My tank of course. Which kilt stays in my closet? My tank of course.

There is a place in our wardrobes, and our hearts, for kilts of all stripes and makes.

Can't we all just get along

[Big Paul]

Well put, Chacbalam!