Not real kilts?

[Kiltedmusiclover]

Ok Mac, Why does it have to be hand sewn in Scotland? There are people, namely myself, who have the same tailoring training. Just because I don't live in Scotland, this makes me not a "real" kilt maker? All a matter of location?

I would like to hear the answer to this myself.
Like Chris, my kilt maker Kerry hand makes his kilts here yet he spent 3 months in Scotland learning
to make kilts. He was taught from a kilt maker who has been making kilts for 50 years. Kerry orders his wool tartans from Scotland. He has even sold a couple
of kilts to folks leaving in Scotland.

If we are talking about Traditional Kilts from
Scotland. Wouldn't we be talking about the great
kilts (one piece of material that doubles as a
blanket or bed) that were worn long before the "traditional" kilts ever came into existence.
What about the box kilt that has only a few pleats
and only has 4 yards of fabric. It too dates back before "traditional" kilts to 1792. The
Scottish Tartans Museum in Franklin NC has one on
display there. It is the earliest know kilt with
sewn pleats.

I own a traditional kilt. Yet I feel that any Kilt
has merit on its on no matter how it is made.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Nelson

[John in Texas]

I suppose I got into kilt wearing in reverse order, that is, I got my full formal outfit first, for formal occasions, etc. Then , after learning how comfortable it was, I wore it to the pub a few times, as well as around the house. But, it is a pure wool, 8 yarder, and cost dearly (375$ I believe), so I have a casual kilt (the first of several I'm sure) on order now. It would really hurt to mess up my good clan tartan kilt while camping. Im all in favor of the new traditional style (they are pleated and aproned)kilts, and I like the cost even better. If my only options were worsted wool 8 yarders, or even the 4 or 5 yard 'athletic' kilts, I would have to save twice as long before kilt orders.

Theres a time for formal (8 yards of wool) and a time for casual , just as Jeans arent acceptable at the symphomy. I love the new-traditional kilts, I just wouldnt get married in one, lol.

just my .02$

John

[Blu (Ontario)]

Jimminy Crickets, Dakotan...that is a very nice kilt! How can they sell them for that price??!!

[Graham]

John, I like you analogy of 'jeans at a symphony', I think that sums up the casual verses formal kilt question nicely.

[Dakotan]

Ya got me, Blu! I was shocked as hell when my first Stillwater got here. In fact I decided to get my Black Watch ASAP, just in case any price increases were on the horizon. The Stillwater website and eBay Store look to be up and running, but the old / regular prices are still hanging in there. Like I said, I've not seen better for anywhere close to the cost of a Stillwater.

[Robbie]

Without intending to be hypercritical, if Dakotan really wants to know the difference between his kilt and an expensive one, how about (a) the lower of the 2 buckles & straps look to be set too high, resulting in the kilt pulling across the lower stomach (although possibly he's just tightened the strap too much) (b) although not clear from the camera angle, there appears to be something slightly off about the pleating, as the sett does not seem to carry across the back and does not match at the apron, and (c) again it may be the camera angle, but it looks too long.
Having said that, it certainly looks good for the price!!

[richardljohnson]

I'm floored and counting the change in the sofa. Thanks for the info. I'm also wondering how they can sell it for that price?
For a casual kilt this is a find that doesn't come along often.

Richard-

[highlandtide]

Hey Robbie-

I think you have a paralax error b/c of the way he has his knee up. I think if his knee were down you would probably see a nice sett matching at the apron. As for the straps I am not sure...

[Dakotan]

FINALLY! Critique from a REAL SCOTTSMAN! Welcome Robbie!
And actually, that's not me, lads! (You'd then see the cane I require to walk!) The pic is from Stillwater's own website.
Now… an "expensive" kilt versus a "real" kilt isn’t really what I thought we were getting at. I still maintain that an inexpensive kilt can still be a real kilt.
I most assuredly know the difference between my Stillwater and an “expensive” kilt... which is why I try not to stand right next to our Pipers, and their Scottish, Worsted Wool, 8-yarders!
Although my 7-yard Stillwater kilts certainly didn't come from such lineage, few (if any) notice the differences that Robbie has. They definitely do just fine for me, and I have received many compliments; happily most of these coming from the ladies!

Having only owned a few velcro closure SportKilts up to this point, the strap and buckle system was uncharted territory for me.
And Robbie is quite correct. The first thing I found was that the kilt WILL pull across the lower stomach if the strap is tightened only one notch too tight.

The sett on my Stewart carries nicely, and is virtually perfect, but it isn't quite as well done on my Black Watch. However, it's still more than passable.
I wore the BW to my bible study group, and then to our Irish Club's music night last night, and assumed that the pleats were going to be a mess, but they are quite crisp, and not even in need of a touch-up.
I have to give the acrylic material used in these kilts a bit of credit. I really didn't think it would hold up this well.

These kilts hit me at mid-knee, and although the wonderful book So You're Going To Wear The Kilt defines this as too long, I find it to be just right, and more personally comfortable. My SportKilts, which hit me above the knee, where So You're Going To Wear The Kilt says a kilt should, just didn't feel right to me. For the sake of my own peace of mind I'm willing to look a bit silly to an actual Scottish person!
By the way, if you haven't already gotten a copy of So You're Going To Wear The Kilt get one! I haven't had time to do much more than skim my copy, but I've learned a lot already and been quite entertained in the process!

All in all I'm quite pleased with my Stillwater Kilts and the material they're made from.
To be dead honest I'm not really sure I'd want to own an "expensive" kilt. That first splash of Guiness would make me ill! I like knowing that I can wear my kilt care-free, and simply throw it in the washer when it needs to be. Besides, how many dry-cleaners in South Dakota are going to know how to properly press a kilt!? ….or possibly even recognize one!

Take Care Lads! - Dakotan

[bubba]

As for spills, one word. ScotchGuard