wool alternatives for kilt

[Panache]

S M,

If you think PV is the way to go, the easiest thing for you to do is ask for /order a swatch from Rocky or Pete in the right tartan and take it to your Pipe Major. He can compare it to the colors of the wool tartan and see if it would be an acceptable substitute.

Much better than a description or picture.

Cheers

Jamie

[Gunnar]

To take Glen's example a bit further, which of these is PV:

The right one's PV...right?

[Wompet]

Wompet (cue Jeopardy music) I have no idea but I'm gonna guess the one to the right is PV.

Sorry, the PV is on the left.

If you kiltaholics can't tell the difference at a glance I'm sure no one watching our band play is going to notice.

There is a catch, which doesn't show in my first example - the sett size of the PV may be smaller than the sett size of the wool. With my American Heritage kilts, you see Marton Mills 11 oz PV vs. 13 oz wool. In this photo, you see 11 oz PV (tartan flap) vs. 16 oz wool kilt. Notice the difference in the sett size?

[SteveB]

As the above two American Heritage kilts clearly show, it is hard to tell the difference. Even in close quarters, the difference is difficult. At the New Hampshire Highland Games, my USAK American Heritage was taken to be the real wool by a few, who had asked about the tartan. When I explained the Poly viscous advantage, I had several who had to compare the "feel" of my kilt versus the wool that they were wearing. Two young lasses went into great detail in examining the kilt I was wearing against the wool kilt of a young gentleman that was in the clan tent area at the same time. Two lasses, and two "kilt checks". Grant should have been there.

[billmcc]

Hmm I always thought the kilt I bought my hubby from Kiltmart as a joke was poly viscose. Maybe it's not...

Many inexpensive kilts that are advertised as pv are actually acrylic.

The pv (made by Marton Mills) used by USA Kilts and Canadian Casual Kilts is far superior to other synthetics. The appearance is very close to wool.

What tartan does the band wear? If Marton Mills makes the tartan, show a swatch of it to the pipe major as Panache suggested. He will probably be very surprised it is not wool.

[bricelythgoe]

This has been a helpful thread. I recently purchased a PV kilt, only because it is less expensive than a wool. Since I am a teacher, money is a little tight in my house so a nice wool kilt is out of the question right now. How acceptable is a PV kilt in a formal situation?

[chasem]

This has been a helpful thread. I recently purchased a PV kilt, only because it is less expensive than a wool. Since I am a teacher, money is a little tight in my house so a nice wool kilt is out of the question right now. How acceptable is a PV kilt in a formal situation?

That depends more on how the kilt is made than the PV fabric. Assuming it's well made, a pv kilt will pass just fine in a formal setting.

[Alan H]

Viscose is UK-lingo for what we call rayon in the USA.

"polyester-rayon"...it sounds HORRIBLE, doesn't it? It sounds like a bad joke full of sweating and leisure suits.

It's not. The material is great. I own three kilts in it, and wear them all frequently.

[bricelythgoe]

That depends more on how the kilt is made than the PV fabric. Assuming it's well made, a pv kilt will pass just fine in a formal setting.

What should I look for to see if it was made properly?

[Alan H]

What should I look for to see if it was made properly?

Now, there's a question. I have to laugh. I guess the answer to that is to read through this forum for about 3 months, and you'll KNOW.

"properly"...is a tough thing to state. If t he kilt is supposed to be a band kilt, then it will be constructed in the same manner as the rest of the bands kilts...narrow pleats and lots of them, pleated to sett/stripe to match the other members kilts, three buckles in the same color as the other band members kilts, a well sewn-in liner, hair canvas, straps, etc.

But to explain all that in one post would take volumes. Honestly to REALLY know, you'd have to read Barb's book. The best way to get to understand what makes a really fine traditional kilt is to hold one and look at it very closely, concentrating on the details of how the waistband, pleats, and so on are constructed.

If the kilt is to be worn in different situation, then it might be that all those flippin' details aren't necessary. If you want a traditional-looking kilt that's well-made, and constructed mostly out of polyester-viscose, buy a USA-Kilts semi-traditional model and be happy. If you want even MORE pleats then ask Rocky to throw another yard worth of material into the semi-trad and you'll get 4-8 more pleats, and the pleats will be narrower.

Understand that not ALL tartans are available in polyester-viscose.. The company that weaves the stuff is Marton Mills. I would check availablility before you proceed too far down this road.