Two weeks ago my 'Ireland's National' semi-traditional kilt was delivered from USA Kilts, and I have now had several opportunities to wear it ...... not that I would have needed to wait for "opportunities" - if they had not occurred naturally, I'd have made them happen! As soon as I unpacked this handsome kilt it cried out, "Wear me! Wear me - NOW!"

First impressions: here is a beautifully tailored kilt, neatly and perfectly sewn, with three buckles and straps of the highest quality, and a fringe worthy of a 16oz woollen 'tank'. The 6 yards of poly-vis fabric is superbly woven in a weight that could not be bettered for our British summer. I was so pleased to find that it comes with a neat selvedge edge when, for some reason, I was expecting a turned hem! Rocky and Kelly (I am not sure who does what) have even achieved a perfect pair of belt loops where the tartan absolutely matches that on which they are sewn.



OK, so what does it feel and look like in the wearing? Firstly, the fit is 100% spot-on, aided no doubt by the perfect tapering of the fell. Although this kilt is, to me, a lightweight garment, the swing factor of the pleats is fabulous (pleat swing is one of the many important features of a worthwhile kilt, and this kilt has it in abundance!). On one of the wearings, I spent several hours sitting in a very hot car, yet I emerged with every pleat in pristine, uncreased, condition - due to the great fabric and the pleatmanship rather than to my 'sweeping'! The hang of the kilt, seen in this photo, is similar to that one should expect from a kilt costing three times the price:



Frankly, I do not know how Kelly and Rocky/Rocky and Kelly manage to produce kilts of such high quality for the price, and I am indebted to them for doing so. Thank you both.