Problems with Cilt coming apart

[Mel1721L]

Am I right in thinking this cost you just under 250 quid? Also you've worn it a dozen or so times???? That's just not right.

I wear my kilts without a belt so they're tight enough not to slip down but I wonder, how can we wear our kilts too tight? Wouldn't that cause real discomfort?

I'll stick to my ex-hire 99 quid medium weight wool kilts and my 50 quid polyviscose kilts; nobody I know can tell the difference. I don't think I'll be spending big money on a kilt until I get a chance to have a face to face with the kilt maker, either that or I get that kilt making book and do it myself.

It cost me over £300. I haven't had any problems with the pv or acrylic kilts, they are all worn in the same way. Sometimes with a belt, sometimes without. Obviously if it was done up too tight it would be uncomfortable. I think they are trying to wiggle out of doing anything about it. If they do, I will not be buying any of the things I was planning to.

[Tarheel]

Terrible problem for you Mel. I wear my utility kilt (waaayyy too tight and belted) when I work in it. I don't have the situation you're having. The material and stitching should "breathe" because of the construction and it doesn't seem to be the case with your kilt. I believe our Professional Kilt folks may have some ideas.

[Mel1721L]

Terrible problem for you Mel. I wear my utility kilt (waaayyy too tight and belted) when I work in it. I don't have the situation you're having. The material and stitching should "breathe" because of the construction and it doesn't seem to be the case with your kilt. I believe our Professional Kilt folks may have some ideas.

If it was made properly, surely it wouldn't matter how tighly it was done up?

[Stitchwiz]

You explained very well, to us, how you wore it and how your other kilts are worn, with no issues. Be prepared with measurements for the other kilts, as well, when you are talking to them.

You are articulate, just use the 'kill them with kindness' attitude and ask them how they are going to resolve this.

If they are still beating around the bush, nicely, ask if they or their kilt maker would be willing to pay for another kilt maker to solve this. Since you have had this problem, tell them that you have been checking around. You know what needs to be done, their own kilt maker should be able to do what Steve did, evaluate the kilt and fix it - let them think that you think that perhaps their kilt maker is using inexperienced apprentices... I would bet that they are just being cheap and not using proper techniques, but give them the 'out' to save face.

If you aren't getting any where, still be kind, and let them know that future purchases are in question if this can't be resolved to your satisfaction. Future money can talk for you.

Remember, 'honey draws more bees than vinegar.' Give them every opportunity to save face and fix this for you.

Good Luck

[The Wizard of BC]

Perhaps you could send them a link to the appropriate pages of "The Art of Kiltmaking". This is the recognized and standard reference book which I and many other kiltmakers use for Traditional, hand-sewn kilts.

The co-author was trained in the classic style at Gordon & Sons so is Scottish trained. Elsie is respected all over the world.

This would give the Wales Tartan Center are reference to what you are talking about and give credibility to your words in a nice way.

[Jock Scot]

Playing Devils advocate here, just what do we expect for £300? Not too sure what that is in Dollars, but say 1.50 Dollars to the £, so 450 US Dollars? So going on the information at hand. My answers in brackets(JS).

Do we expect a "tank" for that price ---£300/450USD?(JS: No)
Does the wool tartan used come at a premium price?(JS: No idea. What weight is it supposed to be?)
What then does one expect for £300/450 USD?(JS: A servicable kilt---but not a tank-- that should stand reasonable use for a good length of time)
Will "corners" be cut at that price?(JS: I would expect so)
What "corners" might those be?(JS: No idea)
Is the price charged, £300/450 USD acceptable for what was provided?( JS: I don't think so, on the evidence provided)
How much "normal" wear should one expect from such a kilt?(JS: Worn twice[ approx. 6 hours per time] a week for two years?)
Are we being reasonable with our expectations? (JS: I think so?)

I am not really qualified to answer those questions from a kilt making perspective, but as a potential customer, I get a distinct feeling that someone is overcharging for the quality of goods provided. Perhaps I am wrong?

[Calgacus]

If the item in question is what I think it is, it's a 5 yard 13oz 100% wool kilt. Maybe the OP can confirm whether it is hand stitched or machine stitched, but as it is described as a 'casual kilt' I'm going to assume machine stitched.

Now, I can buy a machine stitched 8 yard 13oz wool kilt here in Aberdeen for £350, from the largest kilt retailer in town, so I'd say the OP paid pretty much the going rate, or maybe a little more, given that his is a 5 yard kilt. £425 gets me an 8 yard 16oz hand stitched 'tank'.

So, for £300 I'd expect a properly constructed quality garment that isn't starting to fall apart after a few wears.

As an aside, the seller's website currently lists the 5 yard casual kilt at £249, so did the OP pay over the odds, or does he actually have something other than a 5 yard casual kilt? Either way, I'd expect a properly constructed garment for that amount of money.

[Mel1721L]

If the item in question is what I think it is, it's a 5 yard 13oz 100% wool kilt. Maybe the OP can confirm whether it is hand stitched or machine stitched, but as it is described as a 'casual kilt' I'm going to assume machine stitched.

Now, I can buy a machine stitched 8 yard 13oz wool kilt here in Aberdeen for £350, from the largest kilt retailer in town, so I'd say the OP paid pretty much the going rate, or maybe a little more, given that his is a 5 yard kilt. £425 gets me an 8 yard 16oz hand stitched 'tank'.

So, for £300 I'd expect a properly constructed quality garment that isn't starting to fall apart after a few wears.

As an aside, the seller's website currently lists the 5 yard casual kilt at £249, so did the OP pay over the odds, or does he actually have something other than a 5 yard casual kilt? Either way, I'd expect a properly constructed garment for that amount of money.

I think the price showing may not include VAT? In any case I paid over £300 including postage to Spain. They have now asked for my card details to issue a full refund minus carriage. If they do issue it, I shall then think about getting an 8 yard done elsewhere with the same tartan.

[Mel1721L]

Playing Devils advocate here, just what do we expect for £300? Not too sure what that is in Dollars, but say 1.50 Dollars to the £, so 450 US Dollars? So going on the information at hand. My answers in brackets(JS).

Do we expect a "tank" for that price ---£300/450USD?(JS: No)
Does the wool tartan used come at a premium price?(JS: No idea. What weight is it supposed to be?)
What then does one expect for £300/450 USD?(JS: A servicable kilt---but not a tank-- that should stand reasonable use for a good length of time)
Will "corners" be cut at that price?(JS: I would expect so)
What "corners" might those be?(JS: No idea)
Is the price charged, £300/450 USD acceptable for what was provided?( JS: I don't think so, on the evidence provided)
How much "normal" wear should one expect from such a kilt?(JS: Worn twice[ approx. 6 hours per time] a week for two years?)
Are we being reasonable with our expectations? (JS: I think so?)

I am not really qualified to answer those questions from a kilt making perspective, but as a potential customer, I get a distinct feeling that someone is overcharging for the quality of goods provided. Perhaps I am wrong?

I think you'd agree that a 13oz 5 yard woolen kilt should last more than a dozen wears and that if it had been constructed properly that there wouldn't have been a problem. Considering for everyday use I use an acrylic costing under £50 without any problems and done up the same way, something wasn't right. I told him I had written to trading standards and he has now said he'll give a full refund less carriage.

[Jock Scot]

I think you'd agree that a 13oz 5 yard woolen kilt should last more than a dozen wears and that if it had been constructed properly that there wouldn't have been a problem. Considering for everyday use I use an acrylic costing under £50 without any problems and done up the same way, something wasn't right. I told him I had written to trading standards and he has now said he'll give a full refund less carriage.

Indeed I do agree that a properly constructed kilt made from 13oz wool tartan should last for more than a dozen wearings in an everyday environment. In fact I would go as far to say, that for day to day wear 13oz wool tartan, in normal circumstances, should last almost as long as 16oz wool cloth. Which in my view should be several years.