Budget Kilt Recommendation

[Tobus]

I would not recommend acrylic, as it wrinkles at the drop of a hat and just doesn't look right.

Plus, don't forget the fire hazard of acrylic. Apparently it catches fire pretty easily and then melts right onto one's skin. There are some videos on the web showing what they do when exposed to flame, not to mention at least one member here who has personally had his acrylic kilt catch fire (see linked thread).

I only mention this because yesterday evening I was wearing my cheapie acrylic kilt (which is strictly for around-the-house casual use; I don't even walk my dog in public in this kilt). My wife made up some hamburger patties and wanted me to grill them. No big deal, usually. What she didn't tell me was that she had added some shredded cheese and mayonnaise to the patties for extra flavour. This led to some issues on the grill when the patties started falling apart, which led to an impressive conflagration as the drippy bits fell down inside the grill and flared up violently in the bottom. It was a very intense inferno for a few minutes, and I was trying to save what I could of the meat whilst keeping the flames under control. Thank goodness for long grilling spatulas and my "pit mitt" glove. The fire only lightly singed some of my arm hair. The meat I did manage to recover had an excellent flavour, though!

It didn't occur to me until afterwards that I could have caught my acrylic kilt on fire, or at least melted part of it as I was battling the flames. So now I'm going to have to pay special attention and remind myself not to wear this house-lounging kilt if I'm going to be grilling. Either that, or just get rid of it entirely and start wearing one of my low-yardage wool kilts for that purpose.

[Taskr]

Frigid.. for what its worth skip getting anything "cheap". Hold on to your pennies until you get a kilt that can at least stand up beside that great deal your son has; or even another great deal that might come your way. I went the other way, purchased two 8yd wool and a high quality PV. Then bought a couple of knock-abouts. I don't wear those much because I know the comfort, look and feel of the two wool and PV. So let's say "less expensive" and if you are really keen on getting a kilt sooner than later get in touch with USAK, Freedom or another reputable maker for at least a quality PV. You'd be more likely to wear it more often, as you are want to do.
Happy shopping

[FossilHunter]

I like the USA Kilts semi traditional in 12oz PV for a budget kilt. The only problem is that there are not as many tartan options as wool but MacMillan black is listed as available. I have a semi trad and it is a very nice garment. It doesn't feel "cheap" to me in any way. The pleats aren't as nice as in a full 8 yard kilt but that's the same whether it's a 5 yard PV or a 5 yard wool kilt.

[SunriseEarth]

I have a MacMillan Black from UT Kilts (I'm wearing it in my avatar) and I have a MacNaughton from Atlanta Kilts. They are both presentable and suitable casual kilts. The Atlanta kilt definitely has more heft to it and I think it's built better (however, I think my casual Kilts from Scotweb and USAK are superior). IME, my UT Kilt has had more of an issue with wrinkles than the Atlanta one.

You might want to order a swatch of the acrylic tartan from Atlanta if you want to get a good feel for the material.

[Frigid Scot]

Thank you everyone for your help. I think I'm going to put off the purchase a little and think this over. I am not kilt-less in the meantime and who knows, I may come across another great deal or may find myself able to spend a little more money and get what I REALLY want.

I might talk my son into letting me post his picture in his new kilt. He looks absolutely dashing in it!

[Fedgunner]

If you are speaking of McMillan modern black, be advised that the clan chief does not recognize it as a clan tartan. One of the septs of McMillan complained to the chief after pictures of clan McMillan, the flag bearer and the banner were sporting thst tartan, and the chief stated, "They can wear what they like, simply don't represent it as our tartan".

I still wear that kilt LOL

[macmanjim]

Plus, don't forget the fire hazard of acrylic. Apparently it catches fire pretty easily and then melts right onto one's skin. There are some videos on the web showing what they do when exposed to flame, not to mention at least one member here who has personally had his acrylic kilt catch fire (see linked thread).

I only mention this because yesterday evening I was wearing my cheapie acrylic kilt (which is strictly for around-the-house casual use; I don't even walk my dog in public in this kilt). My wife made up some hamburger patties and wanted me to grill them. No big deal, usually. What she didn't tell me was that she had added some shredded cheese and mayonnaise to the patties for extra flavour. This led to some issues on the grill when the patties started falling apart, which led to an impressive conflagration as the drippy bits fell down inside the grill and flared up violently in the bottom. It was a very intense inferno for a few minutes, and I was trying to save what I could of the meat whilst keeping the flames under control. Thank goodness for long grilling spatulas and my "pit mitt" glove. The fire only lightly singed some of my arm hair. The meat I did manage to recover had an excellent flavour, though!

It didn't occur to me until afterwards that I could have caught my acrylic kilt on fire, or at least melted part of it as I was battling the flames. So now I'm going to have to pay special attention and remind myself not to wear this house-lounging kilt if I'm going to be grilling. Either that, or just get rid of it entirely and start wearing one of my low-yardage wool kilts for that purpose.

Or get something like a Utilikilts workman or some other utility kilt that is made of duck or some other canvas heavy duty material. I know angry bastard kilts makes stuff like that too.

[Tobus]

Or get something like a Utilikilts workman or some other utility kilt that is made of duck or some other canvas heavy duty material. I know angry bastard kilts makes stuff like that too.

I do have a Utilikilt Workman that I use for hiking. It would be fine around campfires or grills. But it's not exactly a soft flexible kilt for comfort at home, which is what I wear the acrylic kilt for. The Utilikilt is stiff with hard-stitched pleat creases, and it's hot with all those pockets (it's been around 95-100F here since mid-May and will be until October). For me, the Utilikilt is just not a comfort garment. It's for rough outdoor activity.

Plus, I assume that since this was posted in the traditional forum, the OP is looking for a traditional style kilt.

[macmanjim]

I do have a Utilikilt Workman that I use for hiking. It would be fine around campfires or grills. But it's not exactly a soft flexible kilt for comfort at home, which is what I wear the acrylic kilt for. The Utilikilt is stiff with hard-stitched pleat creases, and it's hot with all those pockets (it's been around 95-100F here since mid-May and will be until October). For me, the Utilikilt is just not a comfort garment. It's for rough outdoor activity.

Plus, I assume that since this was posted in the traditional forum, the OP is looking for a traditional style kilt.

I don't have a workman, but it would be even worse here in AZ. I find an 8yd acrylic or wool too much in the summer. PV has a higher flame rating than acrylic, but probably not enough to make a difference. Wool would be the way to go for safety. I just picked up a ripstop. We'll see how that goes. From what I've seen of the sportkilt material, that's light, but I've never been impressed on how it keeps pleats. If I was going on the cheap and wanted good, I'd probably go with a USA kilts casual or semi trad, which is teflon coated PV. UT Kilts does have wool in the same neighborhood too.