J. Higgins Value vs USAK 5 Yard

[Benning Boy]

J. Higgins is a short drive away for me. I've been there a couple of times. Their kilts are well made. However they aren't as knowledgeable of some things as Barb or Steve, and I suppose USAKilt. Higgins will make you a good basic kilt, just don't ask for anything out of the ordinary. Asking for two straps instead of three shouldnt be a problem.

P/V is a a great option for a first or only kilt. It washes and doesn't stain. Wool isn't as hot in warm weather as you might think. Wool tartan is more porous that P/V and breathes better. It actually feels cooler when the wind blows. The frontier army dressed in wool uniforms. Reenactors out on the Plains tell me the uniforms are comfortable in hot weather. I think it is the stabilizing in a structured kilt that makes them hot.

A USA casual closed with Velcro is faster to put on than a buckled kilt. The Velcro can more easily be adjusted than buckles. A USA casual worn with a belt looks as nice as any other low yardage kilt. The belt covers any exposed velcro.

[SunriseEarth]

SunriseEarth, I cannot comment on either supplier, but as you are obviously going for a kilt suited to warmer climes, I would recommend you get a 5-6yd (depending on your girth) one made in Marton Mills PV. You can throw it in the washing machine if it gets too sweaty, but it is cool and comfortable to wear in 5yd format. The downside is that they only do the Macnaughton Muted in that material, so you would have to compromise there. Alternatively a good 5 yd wool one, provided it is not too bulky around the waist, should also fit the bill, but will be more expensive. Try to avoid cheaper far east materials if you want longevity.

I would definitely be open to PV for this one, but MacNaughton Dress is only available in 13 oz wool. I really enjoy my USAK Casual in Sterling.

[Richrail]

USAkilts does make a PV with the the buckles, it is their semi-traditional kilt.

[tpa]

I had my first kilt made of PV material and it has straps and buckles; of course they are very secure. However I use sporran straps to hold my sporran and that requires a belt to be worn whenever the sporran is worn. I found the weight of the sporran pulled the belt down to the bottom of the belt loops and then the top of the outer apron was pulled lower than the top of the inner apron. That required constant adjustment until I had my wife sew a strip of Velcro between the tops of the aprons and that fixed the problem.
My next Kilt is a 16oz wool kilt and the kilt maker said he preferred using Velcro as a closure, I asked him to put a couple buckles and straps on the outer apron as well and he agreed to. The buckles and straps really are more for looks as the Velcro is more than secure enough and can be adjusted with ease and wherever I want.
I am very much pleased with the Velcro closures. It is the Velcro that is really doing the job of keeping the waist of the kilt adjusted where I want it and is very comfortable. The straps and buckles give a more traditional look and are never stressed, because it is the Velcro that is doing the holding.

I've never had sporran hangers and never will. Aside from pulling the belt down at the front, I can only imagine the inconvenience of not being able to push the sporran to one side when need be or alternatively trying to swivel the whole belt.

I also have not had a klit with velcro closure, though I can understand the attraction and convenience. However, I have never had any velcro closing items which are used regularly from shoes to camera bags, where the velcro has not either required replacement after a while or caused some other problem related to sticking to things it's not supposed to! My local cobbler refuses to touch the stuff and resewing velcro to leather is no easy task without a suitable machine. Kilts should not be so much of a problem providing the sewing machine can accomodate the thickness.

[Terry Searl]

I've never had sporran hangers and never will. Aside from pulling the belt down at the front, I can only imagine the inconvenience of not being able to push the sporran to one side when need be or alternatively trying to swivel the whole belt.

I also have not had a klit with velcro closure, though I can understand the attraction and convenience. However, I have never had any velcro closing items which are used regularly from shoes to camera bags, where the velcro has not either required replacement after a while or caused some other problem related to sticking to things it's not supposed to! My local cobbler refuses to touch the stuff and resewing velcro to leather is no easy task without a suitable machine. Kilts should not be so much of a problem providing the sewing machine can accomodate the thickness.

Well, my friend , I can see from your avatar your body shape and mine are at opposite ends of the spectrum. Us more portly shapes can find the sporran hangers quite useful in keeping the sporran where it should be rather than locating itself below the bulge so to speak. I do find that a leather sporran strap rather than a chain works quite well in that regard as well, but it always depends on what I am doing in the kilt. Unlike you I don't wear my kilt everyday and sometimes not as often as once a week so the Velcro stays quite new and so far there hasn't been an issue of it sticking to other things......each of us must find the solution to our own problems and this site is a good one for offering suggestions on how we have managed that. The only time I had to replace a strip of VELCRO was on my golf putter head cover and I did that by hand with out any problem .....have a good day!

[HighPlainsFergus]

Not to confuse, but to offer another option, check out Scotweb. I've ordered three kilts from them and have been very satisfied. I'm wearing the MacKay right now, in the Essential style, which is the Marton Mills PV, 5-6 yards with two buckles. It cost me total $150. I love it.

I think getting quality material is key. Scotweb gives you the option of choosing from several mills. I would shy away from the kilts made from mystery mills. Exception would be if you want an inexpensive knock around or work kilt. I have a couple of those and wear them for dirty tasks.

[OC Richard]

I don't know anything about casual kilts, but our Pipe Band got a number of ordinary kilts made by J Higgins and they appeared to be traditionally made full-yardage kilts in every way including the handsewn pleats.

My only beef with Higgins is in the cut of some of their things. The cut of their Argyll jackets, pipe band doublets, and spats are at variance with how the traditional makers in Scotland have long made them.

As an aside my favourite MacNaughton tartan is in the Muted Range from House Of Edgar.

Here's a fellow XMarker sharing his photos of his kilt in that tartan

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...re-pics-32053/

[SunriseEarth]

Not to confuse, but to offer another option, check out Scotweb. I've ordered three kilts from them and have been very satisfied. I'm wearing the MacKay right now, in the Essential style, which is the Marton Mills PV, 5-6 yards with two buckles. It cost me total $150. I love it.

I think getting quality material is key. Scotweb gives you the option of choosing from several mills. I would shy away from the kilts made from mystery mills. Exception would be if you want an inexpensive knock around or work kilt. I have a couple of those and wear them for dirty tasks.

Hmm. I might have to get an Cairn from their Essential lineup, if I don't get their MacNaughton.