poly-viscose kilt?

[WillowEstate]

On the other hand I have a few from HOS advertised as 16 once PV (which does not exist) but as a daily wear casual they serve me well.

I did ask HoS about this, because their ship weight for "an 8 yard 16 oz 24 inch drop" was less than 2 kilograms! They said they'd get back to me, which they did and said "it had the appearance of 16 oz" - at least it resolves the mathematical problem if not quite the visual effect!

That said, for a budget kilt, it's worth what you pay for it but don't expect anything remotely in the same class as those from Steve or Rocky. The colours are sharper than wool, probably because the fibres are smoother and lack that distinctive wool softness and it doesn't hold the pleats like wool. But for an everyday knockabout kilt, it serves its purpose and seems to resist spills better.

[Kylahullu]

I hope I can help on behalf of buyakilt.com as a member of staff. The listings for budget kilts are currently being updated as these are all made in China, the cloth is woven in China as well. Marton Mills are used for some of our fabric, but generally for our traditional wool kilts rather than budget. The cloth used is heavy, whilst I don't have an exact weight the kilt will be heavier than a 13oz kilt. Viscose Rayon is the same thing, perhaps it should say Viscose/Rayon. The acetate in the fabric makes it a lot softer than the polyester that used to be used.

As previous posts have mentioned to the untrained eye the kilts look very similar, many people do not notice the difference. We have many good reviews on the site if you want to check them out. We don't edit these so it's all honest feedback. The heavy weight of the fabric and stitched pleats ensure the kilts hang and wear well.

On a personal note my partner has been wearing a budget kilt for many years as his wool kilt is a little on the tight size. His parents haven't noticed the difference and they still believe he has the same waist as on his 21st birthday.

Interesting answer...: "...the cloth is woven in China as well."
Right now when I am writing this and at the time I ordered one of these there on the web page is said that: "... budget kilts are made in China but with "British woven tartan cloth"". Have I been a bit cheated?

Regardless of the above mentioned the kilt seems to be quite usable. I can not compare it to anything because it is the only kilt I have ever had in my hands, only seen some others at a distance. The fabric and workmanship was referred by one seamstress I showed it as "very OK" but she also has never before seen a single kilt. Anyway, it is perfect one to see if I will stay kilted in this environment where no one else is kilted.

Yes, buyakilt.com has many positive reviews at their site (even if there now has been one "15 hours ago" 5-star review for the last week or so ). I checked all less than 5 stars on Reviews.co.uk before ordering and they all had been handled fine.

Regardless of this, it would be interesting to know what this kilt is really made of and how it compares with other less expensive materials and kilts.

[Stan]

I have two 8 yard PV kilts from buyakilt, (all black, and pride of Scotland) and I love these kilts. They hang well, are heavy, have about 30 nice deep pleats per kilt, look good, and in my opinion were a really good value. I also have 9 wool kilts (5 X16 oz. and 4X13 oz.) , so I'm well aware of the difference.

I think that a PV kilt of good weight (like the two that I have from buyakilt) were (for me) not only great starter kilts but just "nice items". Even with 9 all wool Scottish made kilts hanging in my closet, I still love (and wear) my two PV kilts.

The weight of each of the two that I own, (and number of pleats) indicates to me that the material would probably be considered heavy weight, and the fabric (based on the set) really close to 8 yards as advertised when I bought them. I love wool, and I'm also giving my two PV kilts two thumbs up as well.

[Richrail]

I have 4 PV from USAkilts 3 casual and 1 semi-traditional and 5 of the Budget Kilts. I enjoy them all. The PV's from USAkilts are definitely my warm weather kilts, great craftsmanship and machine washable and they air dry quickly. I just ordered my first wool kilt also from the USAkilts team can't wait to see and feel the difference. The "Budget kilts" are heavy weight so I do wear them primarily in the cooler months.

[seanachie]

I think Steve's earlier post should be read, it seems some people are still refering to kilts made of other than PolyViscose as PV even when it has been established they are not PV. I say this not to hassle anyone but to minimize confusion PV to most people here is only made by Marton Mills. Suggesting a kilt is made of PV one would believe you were speaking of Marton Mills. As far as the claim to 16 oz PV caveat emptor is what I will say.

[ChromeScholar]

The thing is, as I see it, the vast overwhelming majority of people one meets while one is out and about in a kilt are thinking "Look, a guy in a kilt!" They are not, and never will think "Man, that kilt is made of PV/double knit/rayon/polyester." The vast majority of people don't know the difference. At most, if you put two guys side by side, one in a quality wool kilt, and one in a cheap synthetic kilt, they might recognize the wool kilt as being better made. Or they may not.

[Geoff Withnell]

Just to give a viewpoint from a cloth expert outside the kilt business entirely - I was wearing one of my USAK PV kilts last summer when I was going to my tailor. I'm a government consultant and I need good suits for work. While chatting with the staff, someone asked if wearing a wool kilt wasn't uncomfortable in DC summer 90+ (F) heat and 90+ humidity. Of course I replied it may be, but this kilt wasn't wool. They were quite surprised. "No wool in the mix at all?" One of them exclaimed that the fabric had a lovely "hand" and "I could make a great suit from that". It is quality fabric.

[Nathan]

While not true PV, I have handled the synthetic (acrylic?) MacDonald tartan kilt that is commonly seen for under $100 on ebay and on budget websites selling Pakistani attire. While it's certainly not a hand sewn, wool kilt, it is a nice garment. One can be obtained at a very low price point and does hang nicely. It's low maintenance and would be fine for sports events, hiking or the pub.

That said, I wear my wool kilts in all of these contexts. I opt for my military 22oz wool if the activity is particularly rough. There are limitations to these budget, synthetic kilts. Because the pleats are machine sewn, the fell looks different. You probably wouldn't want to wear one of these with formal Highland attire but honestly, if you had to, and paired it with a nice sporran and hose, most people probably wouldn't notice.

Another thing is that they all have a 24" drop so it's very easy to purchase one of these that is ill-fitting. You should be familiar about how a traditional kilt should fit, where the apron should go etc... before being content with this budget option.

I have no desire to own one of these as I far prefer the real thing. I hold to the mantra of buy the best you can. That said, if you really want a kilt and really can't afford a traditional wool kilt or even a custom sewn PV, these look pretty decent from a galloping horse, if you're lucky enough to be the right height.

If you choose to go this route, be careful around cigarettes as I've been told this fabric is quite flammable.

[California Highlander]

The thing is, as I see it, the vast overwhelming majority of people one meets while one is out and about in a kilt are thinking "Look, a guy in a kilt!" They are not, and never will think "Man, that kilt is made of PV/double knit/rayon/polyester." The vast majority of people don't know the difference. At most, if you put two guys side by side, one in a quality wool kilt, and one in a cheap synthetic kilt, they might recognize the wool kilt as being better made. Or they may not.

True, I was wearing an acrylic kilt out for a walk to get a coffee. I ran into several people, including a Scotsman, who complemented the kilt. The Scot identified the tartan right off and was positive about my wearing a kilt out and about in Northern California, but didn't comment on the fabric and his tone was not merely polite.

The kilt was too large, so after a while I sold it. I also thought the acrylic wasn't quite right, even for a knockaround kilt. I would forego acrylic and stick with wool, P/V, or V/A for future tartan kilts. I have a wool casual kilt and two of what we should be calling V/A kilts (viscose/acetate) 8 yrds and the V/A kilts are great for knocking around, mowing the lawn, etc then throwing in the wash.

[seanachie]

The thing is, as I see it, the vast overwhelming majority of people one meets while one is out and about in a kilt are thinking "Look, a guy in a kilt!" They are not, and never will think "Man, that kilt is made of PV/double knit/rayon/polyester." The vast majority of people don't know the difference. At most, if you put two guys side by side, one in a quality wool kilt, and one in a cheap synthetic kilt, they might recognize the wool kilt as being better made. Or they may not.

I accept that part of the discussion, but what can be confusing on this forum with people who understand the difference is to refer to a synthetic material that is not PV and call it PV. I have owned, past tense, several acrylic kilts in my early days of kilting. To my mind there is an enormous difference as the wearer. I am not refering to what people perceive. Acrylic in my experience pills, it does not breathe, the hand is different etc. I have been unemployed a few times in the last several years, so I do understand the argument of cost. That said real PV is frequently not enormously more expensive than acrylic. To each his own, but I would wait a couple paychecks and spend the extra $30 or $40, Euro, Pounds or whatever your currency.