opinion on a "knockabout" kilt?

[Riverkilt]

My understanding is that Viscose is the English word for Rayon. If Marton Mills were in the U.S. they would call their fabric Poly-Rayon. Rayon being synthetic cotton that so many aloha shirts are made from.

As for the kilt - If you have time to save a bit - go with the USA Kilts Semi-Trad. That way you're not wearing a cheap looking kilt to Scotland and you'll look smart while still having the Teflon protection. No need to iron if it wrinkles - just hang the kilt in the bathroom while you shower or pack a small hand steamer. Nothing simpler.

I've purchased 13 of Rocky's semi-trads and never had a problem with them. They're my go to kilts for travel - be sure to kilt up to fly over.

And, cousin, say hi to any residual kin still up around Skye Glenn near Whycocomagh.

[BuchananBiker]

So the short version, if I've read right, goes like this.

Wool is a minefield. Expensive, much homework is required as to the individual mill involved, samples should be ordered. However, the money spent is reflected in quality.

Second runner up is PV. 11 oz is pretty standard. Good color, holds pleats well and can handle daily wear like a champ. Alot of bang for your buck.

Acrylic is darn near a throwaway demolition kilt. Doesn't hold creases well, very light, very inexpensive.

Does that about sum it up?

[CMcG]

<snip>
Acrylic is darn near a throwaway demolition kilt. Doesn't hold creases well, very light, very inexpensive.

I have a heavyweight acrylic from the Frugal Corner, which I hear is similar to the Stillwater Standard. It is definitely not light and the material has a coarser, thicker feel than P/V or wool. It holds a crease ok, but just not super sharp one. Not a bad kilt at all, though relatively inexpensive. Not a tank either tough!

There are of course lighter grades of acrylic but I have not experience with these.

[MacMillans son]

So the short version, if I've read right, goes like this.

Wool is a minefield. Expensive, much homework is required as to the individual mill involved, samples should be ordered. However, the money spent is reflected in quality.

Second runner up is PV. 11 oz is pretty standard. Good color, holds pleats well and can handle daily wear like a champ. Alot of bang for your buck.

Acrylic is darn near a throwaway demolition kilt. Doesn't hold creases well, very light, very inexpensive.

Does that about sum it up?

Yes, generally speaking, BuchananBiker and a little more.

I wouldn't refer to wool as a minefield. It is expensive, but worth the price to most of us for its intended use. That being, ordinary wear in non-abusive situations. The cost outlay warrants getting swatches before you buy in order to ensure the colors seen on line match those in real life.

PV, by Marton Mills, is lightweight (aprox 11 oz) but is agreed by most to be the next best thing to wool relative to feel, looks, and behavior. The PV made in the east, which some vendors apparently, in spite of what they advertise, report to be acetate, is heavier (advertised as 16 oz in some places), somewhat stiffer at first, and much less expensive (8 yard Asian PV kilt aprox $80 US vs $200+ for Marton Mills depending on vendor).

From reports, as I don't own an Acrylic kilt, Acrylic is fuzzy, pills easily, and is less fire retardant (actually goes up pretty quick when exposed to fire and/or significant spark). Can be nearly as thick as some wools.

There is also PolyCotton blends that are reported to be very lightweight, hyper prone to wrinkling, and are usually constructed in a casual style ie. using Velcro closures without straps, buckles etc.

[CDNSushi]

Yeah, it really depends on how much "knock" you need to have in your "knockaround." I certainly wouldn't waste money on ANYTHING wool that I know is going to be abused...

However, having said that, SWK's heavyweight (wool) kilts are about cheap enough to use in such a manner without feeling too terribly guilty.

[Ian.MacAllan]

. . . Wool is a minefield. Expensive, much homework is required as to the individual mill involved, samples should be ordered. However, the money spent is reflected in quality. . . .

Wool is a minefield only if you don't trust the vendor or are very particular about color. Several ethical & dependable kiltmakers appear frequently on this board, are accustomed to running interference between wearers and weavers, and will gladly supply swatches at nominal cost. They're superbly skillful at kiltmaking, too.

IMHO the only serious threats to wool kilts are moths, strong acids & alkalis, dyes & bleaches, and ignorant drycleaners. A USAK semi-trad is as close as you'll get to being immune to all of these. I have one that I consider ideal for dressy but hazardous activities such as church picnics.

Because I enjoy dressing like a slob I have three knock-around kilts: an AmeriKilt, a SWK standard, and a SportKilt Hiker. I like each (for different reasons) but I won't shed a tear for any.

.

[BuchananBiker]

Ok, so to rephrase, wool is expensive and worth every penny. And just as you wouldn't by a car or motorcycle blindly, a wool kilt shouldn't be bought blindly either. Give the purchase the respect that the garment and the cost are entitled to. Buy it, love it, cherish it and keep it for special occasions.

I'm a rough handed, blue collar guy. I hike. I hunt. I camp. I ride. A good PV kilt will serve me well in my day to day life and still look good.

Is that more accurate?

I'm not looking to be a headache, just want to make sure I've got it straight before I buy my first kilt for general daywear and then plunk down money for a good, proper 8 yard wool kilt (I have daughters, I'll need to dress nice sooner or later).

[Spartan Tartan]

I'd say you pretty much got it.

[seanachie]

Ok, so to rephrase, wool is expensive and worth every penny. And just as you wouldn't by a car or motorcycle blindly, a wool kilt shouldn't be bought blindly either. Give the purchase the respect that the garment and the cost are entitled to. Buy it, love it, cherish it and keep it for special occasions.

I'm a rough handed, blue collar guy. I hike. I hunt. I camp. I ride. A good PV kilt will serve me well in my day to day life and still look good.

Is that more accurate?

I'm not looking to be a headache, just want to make sure I've got it straight before I buy my first kilt for general daywear and then plunk down money for a good, proper 8 yard wool kilt (I have daughters, I'll need to dress nice sooner or later).

Well there are as many opinions as people: Check out this thread: http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...86/index3.html This is a military box pleat and Brian said: "It may strike some of you as crazy, but I do NOT intend to baby this kilt - hanging it in the closet for special affairs. I believe John has made it tough as nails - like an old Army kilt, as he says! - and I plan on utilizing it as my outdoor hiking, camping, hanging-out-by-the-fire kilt. It'll acquire honorable stains and dings over time, but that's what I wanted a tough, durable 'tank' for - to USE the damn thing, like the soldiers and clansmen of old."

I personally have a tweed kilt on order in loden antique, now I am not going to play flag football in the mud or paint the house wearing it, but I do intend to use it less for a dress kilt than, for lack of a better term, a nicer knock about kilt. For the most part my modern kilts are my knockabouts, but I wanted a traditional kilt that I wasn't worried about getting soiled or damaged.

[seanachie]

However, having said that, SWK's heavyweight (wool) kilts are about cheap enough to use in such a manner without feeling too terribly guilty.

That is absolutely correct, I have a green heavyweight shadow tartan and it really holds up quite well. It is not worsted wool but it is wool and I have worn this for a lot of "active" pursuits and 2 dogs that love to play.