PV versus Wool

[Colin]

PV is not the same as wool, but for a kilt it is, in my opinion, the next best thing. Nothing beats a heavy weight wool kilt for feel, hang, appearance, but the PV (particularly the PV from Marton Mills) looks much better than many of the other fabrics out there these days. A PV kilt made in a formal or semi-formal way will look great and has the added bonus of being machine washable.

Wool is more expensive than PV and PV is more expensive that alot of other materials, but people seem to forget that you get what you pay for. Personally I would save up for the wool kilt, but a PV kilt (I believe Rocky at USAkilts has access to the US Army tartan) really is the next best thing.

[The Wizard of BC]

Rocky at USA Kilts is the expert when it comes to P/V.

But from someone who has made kilts from both, owns both and wears both on a regular basis, let me put it this way.

The hang and swish of a Wool kilt cannot be beat by any other fabric. That is why kilts have been made from it all these years. It's not us being snobby and wanting something just because it costs more. It really is better so we are willing to pay what ever it takes.

P/V is the next best thing available today. However, Current productions of P/V are only in a relatively light weight of 10.5 oz./linear yard. It hangs and swishes ok but is prone to flyaway. P/V is the perfect fabric for kilts that are going to be dirtied, splashed on, have beer spilled on them or otherwise trashed. This is because P/V is a man-made fiber and resists stains fairly well. It also holds a pleat forever. If pressed correctly with the perfect temperature the pleats are set permanently.

I like the feel of Wool over P/V. Especially on a cool day. P/V always has a "cool" feel to me. If I lived in the southern US that would be a plus.

As to the appearance, well that all depends on the kiltmaker. If you want a P/V kilt that could go from casual to dressy Rocky will make you one that most people can't tell from a full Traditional Wool kilt. But even $90.00 a yard
Wool will look like s**t when make into a kilt by someone with no pride in their workmanship.

I hope this helped.