Review: Stillwater Standard Kilt

[Mr. MacDougall]

First of all, I should note that I had a hard time deciding which forum I should post this review in -- here, or in the "traditional kilts" area... Jerry's product is that good. In the end, I decided to put it here, because it is, after all, made of a synthetic fabric, not wool.

Fall financial aid disbursed last week, and after making my final payment to Matt for my MacMedic box-pleat, I decided to go ahead and get a Stillwater standard, because I'd had good results from ordering one of Jerry's thrifty kilts. I went to the web page, and discovered that one of the tartans I most admire, Hunting MacLeod, was on sale, fifteen dollars less than the other standards. Unable to pass up a bargain of that magnitude, I placed my order. To my surprise, Jerry seems not to accept Google checkout anymore, but still does accept PayPal, so that was okay.

I got an email the next day that my order had shipped, and that day, I headed for Tucson to visit my family. When I returned a couple of days later, the package was waiting in the dorm office for me, and I quickly carried it upstairs and opened it. I should state once again at this point that I do not currently have a digital camera, so, alas, there will be no photographs in this review. Sorry.

I was a little surprised by the basting stitches -- you may recall from my review of the Thrifty kilt that there were two rows of basting stitches in it. On the Standard, there were only one. A little bit of thought, however, told me why -- on the Standard, the fell is sewn down, providing stability at the top of the pleat. I tried the kilt on to be sure it was the right size, then removed the basting stitches, and tried it on again.

I have one very minor criticism here: the left-hand strap is almost exactly the same size as the "buttonhole" it goes through. I think the kilt would be improved by 1) having the buckle on the inside, the way Matt does, or 2) having a slightly larger hole, or 3) a slightly smaller strap. At any rate, the three-buckle system is considered traditional, and all three buckles are present on this kilt, along with leather straps.

(As an aside, the more I play with kilts, the more I think that two buckles and straps are pleanty, and if / when I get around to having Tanks made for myself, I'll ask the kiltmaker to leave off the lower right buckle).

The Standard kilt has about two more yards of fabric in it, which results in deeper pleats. I was surprised by the practical results of this -- first of all, there's a much nicer swish to the pleats when walking, and secondly... well, not to seem indelicate, but sometimes, when I stand up after sitting on the pleats of the Thrifty, they need to be, er, tugged upon. This didn't happen with the standard.

I wore the Standard all day today, the first day of classes in the new semester. I got a couple of compliments, a couple of "What tartan is that?" and a couple of out and out funny looks for wearing a kilt. I loved the swish and weight, and in all, heartily approve of the kilt... so much so that I'm probably going to order two more standards within the week.

So, ratings:

Customer Service: A
Quality of Construction: B+
Value for the Dollar: A
Overall: A

[ardchoille]

Thanks for posting this review. I love reviews, it helps me make purchasing decisions. I'll keep this in mind when I am in the market

[Panache]

Fair review.

Out of all my kilts, my SWK standard Hunting Mcleod is the one I wear most. It's the one I reach before I'm even really decided what I'm wearing that day. It's a simple yet handsome tartan, solidly constructed, and best of all the price allows you to wear it places I would never consider wearing my beautiful (and expensive) handsewn kilts. Definately a favorite of mine.

Cheers

Jamie

[Mr. MacDougall]

Out of all my kilts, my SWK standard Hunting Mcleod is the one I wear most.

Do you find that the left-hand strap gets easier to fit through the buttonhole after some wear?

[Edward Teach]

I have nothing but good things to say about Stillwater Kilts as well. I ordered two, an Economy and a Standard. The Economy was better than I expected for the price, but the Standard is orders of magnitude better in terms of construction, and is all the more so well worth the price paid. Also even though it was shipped outside the US, it still took less than two weeks from the time I placed the order for it to arrive. I will definitely order more from them in the future.

[Panache]

Do you find that the left-hand strap gets easier to fit through the buttonhole after some wear?

I never noticed that problem. I would assume with time it will stretch a tad and evertything will be jake. As for your comments on the the second lower right hand strap I very much agree. The second strap came about whenkilts were being made for the military and worn very high up the rib cage (not made to measure obviously). The second strap then was almost where our first strap is now. My Matt Newsome handmade kilt and my handsewn Scottish handsewn kilt (remade by our own way2fractious) have the simple two buckle system. I find it far more elegant in it's simplicity and practicality.
My next kilt, an X Marks the Scot tartan knife pleat will also be a two buckle kilt.

Cheers

Jamie

[mbhandy]

I found on my SWK Standard Irish National the same thing about the strap the more I wore it the looser the strap fit in the hole. Oh and I washed it after This last St. Patty's day because Some one spilt beer all over it.

MrBill

[emolas]

Do you find that the left-hand strap gets easier to fit through the buttonhole after some wear?

I have the same problem with 3 of my 4 SWK kilts. The holes haven't stretched that I have noticed (in 4 months)and it's still a squeeze to get the strap through on 2 of them. On the third kilt, the hole was actually smaller than the strap. I just took a sharp pair of scissors and trimmed a miniscule amount of leather off each side of the strap until it slipped through easily.

[ChromeScholar]

Thanks for the review. My next kilt is probably going to be a Stillwater Standard, so the review is welcome.

[Mael Coluim]

I concur with Mr. MacDougall's rating of the standard Stillwater Kilt. Pictured below is my recent purchase of mine in the MacKenzie weathered which I adore!

[/IMG]
Talbi, Tom & Dad

Here is my thrifty in Gordon plaid. A great value and for quick jaults around town.
[/IMG]
Fiona (" I don't understand people"), Tom & Dad