Review: Stillwater Thrifty Kilt

[Mr. MacDougall]

A few days ago, I decided that I wanted to have enough inexpensive kilts to wear one every day for classes this coming school year. After some internal debate, I decided to order a thrifty kilt from Jerry at Stillwater. The price was right, after all -- about the same as a new pair of jeans. With shipping and a kilt hanger, the purchase still came to only $38.95.

Stillwater uses the Google Checkout system, so I paid electronicly, and almost immediately received an email from Google, and very shortly after that, an email from Stillwater, listing my purchases and their price. I imagine this was automated, but it was nice to get a confirmation email from the vendor. The next business day, I received another email, telling me my purchase had shipped.

It came USPS priority mail, and the new mail man screwed up, resulting in my not getting it on Saturday, but on Monday. Not Jerry's fault, and the new mail man has now been briefed on how we do packages here at the dorm.

I opened the package, and discovered to my surprise that there were basting stitches in the pleats. It's amusing to me that the first kilt I've received with basting stitches is also the least expensive kilt I've purchased. (I tried to take pictures, but the only digital camera I have at the moment is the one on my phone, and all they'd tell you is that I have a crappy camera).

As per the instructions provided, I tried the kilt to make sure it fit my waist before pulling the basting stitches. The thrifty kilts are closed with velcro. Unlike SportKilt's continuous line of velcro, these are two patches, about the same size as the name tag patch on my old flight jacket. While the kilt fit fine, I am trying to lose some of the pudge around my middle, and would have prefered the soft-side at least to be a continous tape, so as to enable more flexibility in fitting.

The kilt is in the Government Sett (Black Watch), which I ordered, but I was somewhat surprised to see that it was pleated to the stripe. My SportKilt, which was more expensive, is pleated to the random. The pleats are not sewn down, as such, but there's a seam about three inches down from the waistband, which runs around the circumference, and provides sort of the same effect as sewing down the fell. The bottom edge seems to be a genuine selvedge, and not simply overlocked with a serger.

The tag inside lists Stillwater as the provider, and asserts that it's a thrifty kilt. There are no care instructions in the garment. However, on a seperate piece of paper in the box, it says that they can be machine-washed gentle, and hung to dry.

So, grades:
Customer Service: A
Quality of construction: C
Value for the Dollar: B
Overall: B+

[keith_b]

I just ordered one in Stewart Black....checking the mailbox everyday. Glad to hear that it's a pretty decent kilt. It's my first Stillwater.

[taxdragon]

Does the thrifty kilt have beltloops? I was looking at buying on but decided on an economy one from Stillwater. Thanks, Al

[Perldog007]

Does the thrifty kilt have beltloops? I was looking at buying on but decided on an economy one from Stillwater. Thanks, Al

No beltloops, no straps, no stitching in the fell. I love mine. For the price it is a gem. I sewed mine down myself, have got to get hold of a "roundtuit" and post some pics.

I also stitched an economy down to the fell, but it dinnae turn out right. Somehow I made my well fitting kilt Utilikilt tight in the butt.

Now have 6 stillwaters in my collection, one heavy, two economy, two standard and one thrifty. I am working on a comprehensive review from a newbie perspective that will show up around September sometime.

[taxdragon]

Just received 2 thrifty kilts from SWC. I was really impressed...The wallace tartan was exceptional...

[Jimmy Carbomb]

I don't know about anyone else, but I'm VERY PLEASED to not only have a kilt available at a price that even a panhandler can afford... but to have a review on it already!

I own a LOAD of Stillwater Kilts and absolutely love them all. There is absolutely nothing on the market that can match the quality for the price.

Can this little company get any better?

I may just order one up to do some "doctoring" on it for the hips and beltloop experiment.

[Kid Cossack]

I don't know about anyone else, but I'm VERY PLEASED to not only have a kilt available at a price that even a panhandler can afford... but to have a review on it already!

I own a LOAD of Stillwater Kilts and absolutely love them all. There is absolutely nothing on the market that can match the quality for the price.

Can this little company get any better?

I may just order one up to do some "doctoring" on it for the hips and beltloop experiment.

JIMMY CARBOMB! Talk about the ghost of Christmas past! Welcome back.

[Ozman1944]

SWK is my favorites; Am patiently waiting for more tartans to be added, so I can expand my closet. Their Thrifty's are great too, I have two. On & off in a flash, and great for summer! Just velcro closures. Add belt & sporran & looks mighty fine. AND wonder of wonders; Delivery usually within four days!! No jonesing for three or four weeks!

[ChromeScholar]

I am glad to read this, as I am ordering my first kilt from Stillwater this week, and haven't decided whether to order a thrifty, or go for the big bucks and get an economy.

[Mr. MacDougall]

I am glad to read this, as I am ordering my first kilt from Stillwater this week, and haven't decided whether to order a thrifty, or go for the big bucks and get an economy.

It depends on what you want, and what you want to use it for. I bought a thrifty because the price is right, and I'm just going to wear it the same way I wear my jeans -- to go to class, to run around town, and so on. It doesn't look anything like a traditional kilt, and I think the economy is closer to that.

When financial aid for the fall disburses, I think I'm going to buy one from each of Stillwater's kilt lines, and, of course, I'll review them.