Reviews

[Galant]

Being a new-comer to the world of kilts, the recent owner of a UK and soon to be owner of an 8-yard trad. I've had all sorts of questions about this wonderful world, and in particular, when looking to buy, have had to do a lot of looking and at times wondered what else there might be out there.

A lot of the items one would buy are quite expensive and unless you're rolling in it, it's nice to know you're making the right choice and getting the best quality for your money.

I know a lot of the questions people have in this regard are answered individually as they come up, but I can imagine it might get a little tiring if, over time, the same questions come up. So, I was thinking it might be an idea to have a review section here. Maybe a regular, free-access forum or maybe not. Somewhere that people could post reviews of specific items. I don't know if there should be a few selected reviewers or it should just be an open forum, but limited to posting reviews only. It might be a good idea to have a place also where people can make requests for reviews.

That way a database can be built up and people can go there to get an inside look at the many items available.

Anyway, just my thoughts.

Thanks.

[Jimmy Carbomb]

It's actually a GREAT point, and one that's been thrown around for a long time. With the recent addition of Ron (RiverKilt's) post about the leather kilts, it's a perfect example of HELPING reviews.

On the "bad" side, there are a LOAD of guys on this site that have VERY limited kilt-wearing experience, or have their favorite manufacturer. With that in mind, you're going to get some VERY tainted reviews that promote their "friends", personal preference, or local shop. RiverKilt's review is PERFECT example of a non-partisan review that's IN NO WAY negative or bitter. It's a WONDERFUL example of the good, the different, and the available.

On the "good" side, there are a LOAD of guys on this site (most of them pretty silent) that have EXTENSIVE kilt-wearing experience, in the many different styles... headed-up by Hamish. We have enough quality individuals here, that there must be some that know what to compare. You can not compare a poly-viscose casual with a wool. You can not compare an "off-the-rack" with a custom-made.

If someone has the time and "want" to review the articles BEFORE they're submitted... I'm all for it! The kilt companies will need to input ONLY the specifics on the construction and the reviewers will need to comment on the ACTUAL kilts. A good start would be to compare the StillWater Kilts to SportKilts (off-the-rack), BearKilts to USAKilts' Casuals (poly/viscose versions), and UtiliKilts/AmeriKilts/FreedomKilts/PittsburghKilts (non-leather versions).

The handsewn AUTHENTIC traditionals are pretty well set... unless Hamish has something to warn or recommend. I know that the majority of the members are not in a place to spend the money for the "tanks", so keeping this in the "casual/contemporary" category WOULD be very helpful!

[Galant]

Comparisons of course are very helpful, although individual reviews would, I think, also be of use - with an experienced reviewer being more vital than a direct comparison. Their experience will automatically make comparisons with everything else they've tried though they wouldn't have to mention anything else.