Stillwater Black Watch Kilt

[Piedmont Highlander]

Hello All,

After getting my first kilt (an acrylic one from eBay), I've realized I really want a more real one. Unfortunately, a custom one isn't possible right now, so I was thinking about going with a 5 yard blackwatch economy wool kilt from Stillwater. I've read some of the reviews and comments and they seem to be mostly positive, but I wanted to get other opinions to see if there's a better option or if there's a huge drawback on the Stillwaters or...whatever.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

Josh

[Geoff Withnell]

I started with a Stillwater, although they didn't make the economy wool model back then. It's a decent starter kilt for the money. If you get into wearing the kilt, you will probably want a better kilt eventually, but it's exactly as advertised. BTW, make sure you have an open space on your porch when you order, Jerry's shipping speed is legendary.

[brewerpaul]

I own two of the Blackwatch economy wool kilts and they are worth it. One I keep for nice and the other for daily wear, travel and camping. They wash and press out easily.

Only proof comes with photos

Excuse the short socks and all, this was taken for a quick post and photo here on XMarks




Clowning around with my sister-inlaw down in Texas



Camping and hiking in Colorado in the one I keep for daily use, travel and camping.


Cooking up haggis, hashbrowns and runny eggs




Around the warming fire, wool wont melt on ya like acrylic



The Blackwatch economy wool is pleated to stripe and looks very nice. Ive repressed mine twice.

[Piedmont Highlander]

It's definitely a starter kilt, but a "real" starter kilt (OK, it's NOT made in Scotland). I feel sort of foolish now for buying the acrylic one. Eventually I want to buy a custom 8 yard kilt.

[brewerpaul]

It's definitely a starter kilt, but a "real" starter kilt (OK, it's NOT made in Scotland). I feel sort of foolish now for buying the acrylic one. Eventually I want to buy a custom 8 yard kilt.

Yes it is a starter kilt and no it isn't made in Scotland. For the price it is impossible to be anything but a Pakistan made starter. But for the price you get a nice quality wool garment that if cared for can be worn casual or formal. Tanks are nice to have but it is hard to come up with or justify 250-600 dollars per kilt. I think you will find an invesment in one of Stillwater's economy wool will be a good investment. To me the nice thing about Blackwatch is that it is very versatile. I can mix quite a few combinations of kilt hose, black or brown leather shoes and kit, and a variety of shirts, coats and waistcoats. They all look great. It even causals down with a nice t-shirt, charcoal kilt hose or scrunched down socks(not my style) and boots. I always get compliments when I go to my weekly farmers market. If budget is your issue you wont go wrong here. I also have one of Stillwater's standard acrylic kilt (my second kilt I bought myself three years ago). For an acrylic it is a nice kilt.


My farmer friend Kenny standing proudly behind a bin of cabbage he sold me at the farmers market. Im in my Stillwater economy wool Blackwatch, which I wear every weekend to the market.

[bwat]

I checked out the economy wool on the stillwater website. Why is it so cheap? If it is what it says it is, and I were in the US, I'd definitely get one. It's only marginally more expensive than what it costs me to buy a decent PV kilt here.

Edit: Just checked out their standard 7/8 yard heavyweight wool kilt. That's bleedin' cheap as well. How come they're so cheap????

[MacGumerait]

Hello All,

After getting my first kilt (an acrylic one from eBay), I've realized I really want a more real one. Unfortunately, a custom one isn't possible right now, so I was thinking about going with a 5 yard blackwatch economy wool kilt from Stillwater. I've read some of the reviews and comments and they seem to be mostly positive, but I wanted to get other opinions to see if there's a better option or if there's a huge drawback on the Stillwaters or...whatever.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

Josh

Josh ,

I'm a bit late responding to your thread , but I wanted to offer you some words of encouragement .

I have been a kilt wearer for over 40 years and have always had the 8 yd " made to measure " kilts .

Two years ago I ordered one of the Stillwaters Black Watch economy " wool " kilts ( like the one you ordered ) for the purpose of wearing it at times when I didn't want to risk wearing an expensive kilt .

I will have to say that I was pleasantly surprised . It is definitely worth the money as a starter kilt , much better than the acrylic ones . I think you will be pleased . It can serve you well for both informal and formal use . I think it is a smart purchase for someone new to kilt wearing .

Although , I must warn you ... I can see where owning this kilt could lead you to the 8 yd kilt addiction .

All kidding aside , I hope you enjoy your new kilt when it arrives .

Best regards , Mike

[Piedmont Highlander]

Josh ,

I'm a bit late responding to your thread , but I wanted to offer you some words of encouragement .

I have been a kilt wearer for over 40 years and have always had the 8 yd " made to measure " kilts .

Two years ago I ordered one of the Stillwaters Black Watch economy " wool " kilts ( like the one you ordered ) for the purpose of wearing it at times when I didn't want to risk wearing an expensive kilt .

I will have to say that I was pleasantly surprised . It is definitely worth the money as a starter kilt , much better than the acrylic ones . I think you will be pleased . It can serve you well for both informal and formal use . I think it is a smart purchase for someone new to kilt wearing .

Although , I must warn you ... I can see where owning this kilt could lead you to the 8 yd kilt addiction .

All kidding aside , I hope you enjoy your new kilt when it arrives .

Best regards , Mike

Thanks Mike! I'm enjoying it, it fits very well. I held it up to the light and you can see the light come through here and there, so yes, it's not a fantastic piece. But I didn't expect it to be. And so far, I like it better than the acrylic one, for sure.

I can feel the addiction starting, though. I'm not someone who spends a lot of money on expensive habits or activities. I'm a homeowner, so most of my money goes into that. But...having a little something you like can be appealing. I wouldn't mind owning a few. Of course, this does mean that I need to keep up the exercise so I can keep fitting into these expensive bits of wool.

And I need to get some matching hose to wear, too. I can see how the cost adds up quickly.

Josh

[bwat]

Thanks Mike! I'm enjoying it, it fits very well. I held it up to the light and you can see the light come through here and there, so yes, it's not a fantastic piece.

Every kilt does that. Well all of mine do.

[Nik]

Been a while.

I started with the Economy wool. I love it. Particularity in the cooler months of the year. The wool holds in the heat and keeps me very comfortable when there is snow on the ground. The kilt is a great entry level.

If you are willing to do some extra work, buy the book Art of KiltMaking (AoKM) and you can make it better. Namely you can upgrade the liner to cotton and you can adjust the waist so it fits you better. It's going to be a fair amount of work, but if you want a great fit, you can't put a price on it.

Anyways congrats on joining the Kiled Club.

-Nik