acrylic

[Dollander]

The thing with acrylic kilts is that, since they're usually mass-produced, they tend to taper the the entire pleat instead of just the fell (the stitched portion between the hips and waist). So rather than the pleats hanging evenly, you get that wavy, shower-curtain effect. And that's not even getting into both the look and durability of the fabric itself. But if you get a Semi-Trad from USA Kilts, you'll know it'll be a well-tailored garment that'll look very similar to (and dress up as well as) a traditional wool kilt while still costing considerably less.

As for your insistence on the Sutherland tartan...if you're that sure the other wedding attendees won't know the difference between an acrylic kilt and a wool one, would they be any more aware of what tartan you're wearing? And I do understand the desire to stick to tartans specifically related to one's heritage. You mentioned in your other thread that your grandfather served in the Gordon Highlanders, so have you considered the Gordon tartan? Both the regimental and dress versions are still available in PV, and USA Kilts stocks them both. And as I mentioned in that thread, the Sutherlands share a common ancestry with the Murrays, so Murray of Atholl is also an option. Though if you really do feel that uncomfortable wearing any of those, there are numerous universal tartans available in PV as well.

I realize you don't expect to wear said kilt very often, but even so, do you wanna risk one day looking back at your brother's wedding photos like "Ugh, that's hideous. What was I thinking?" Whereas with a nicer kilt, you may even find yourself looking for any excuse to wear it instead of just to weddings and Highland games. Perhaps it would indeed be worth your while to spring the extra hundred bucks for a wool 5-yarder in the Sutherland tartan...