The wool, it prickles... :-(

[ChattanCat]

I have also noticed a difference in some of the tartan material that I receive from the mills. Some are nice and tight worsted wool weaves, while others seem to have a slightly looser weave. I assume that the looser the weave, the more it may chafe.

Then there is the not worsted weaves...

[Nighthawk]

Wade can check in on this one.

My sense is that IF he has an allergy to wool he would have found it out long ago and would never have ordered up a wool kilt in the first place.

Allergies to wool are very rare.

http://www.textilelinks.com/author/rb/990227.html

Itching from the way wool fabric is made, or chemicals used in processing, may cause allergic reactions. Who knows what chems they use in wool processing in Pakistan?

But there is a big difference between an allergic reaction and itching.

It would be sad for me if men denied themselves the pleasure of a quality wool kilt because of false fears based on previous experience with inexpensive wools.

Ron

Ron, I have to chime in here. I have 2 SWK wool kilts, and both are very soft. They're not as good quality as my Balmoral and my USAK wool, of course, but the quality is still very good. It is highly possible that it's just Staticscan's first real experience with wool. It feels very different from the modern materials we're used to, weather it's cheap Packistani or marino Australian. I have had a kilt my whole life, so I got used to the feel when I was really young. When I discovered the joy of contemporary kilts a few years back, I think I may have had the same reaction to the comtemporaries as Static is having to the trads- they felt weird!! Now when I spend the hot months of summer in my Sport Kilt, Amerikilt, or USA Kilt semi trads, and I go back to wool for weddings or cold weather, I can feel how huge the difference is. It's very true that wool allergies are extremely rare, but they do exist, so it's possibly an allergy. It's also very possible that it's just something that will take some getting used to. I read Jamie's post where he suggested getting a swatch of high quality wool from one of our vendors. I think that's a briliant idea, and really the best way to go about things.

My whole point here, Ron, is that the wool that SWK uses is actually really good- for inexpensive Pakistani tartan.

[NancyMan]

I have both green and black shadow tartan heavyweight SWKs. They don't feel different from any of my wool tanks. Just my two bits worth.

[lethearen]

The first few times I wore my wool kilt (HoE mill), it itched. As I've worn it, it itches progressively less. Either I'm getting used to it, or the wool is "breaking in". But it feels different to the hand, too - feels smoother and softer. So my take would be to keep wearing it since you said you're not allergic, and eventually it'll feel a bit better.

[Colonel MacNeal]

The first few times I wore my wool kilt (HoE mill), it itched. As I've worn it, it itches progressively less. Either I'm getting used to it, or the wool is "breaking in". But it feels different to the hand, too - feels smoother and softer. So my take would be to keep wearing it since you said you're not allergic, and eventually it'll feel a bit better.

It picks up your skin oil and feels softer. It was very soft when it was still on the sheep and got a constant supply of lanolin. The more you wear it, the solfer it will be - until you have it dry cleaned and then you start over again.

[Carolina Kiltman]

I have a few comments to make: It is entirely possible that he has never experienced wool clothing. I try to buy wool whenever possible, and at times it is very difficult to find! Even wool blends are somewhat on the rare side these days, especially in the cheaper lines of clothing.

The second is: Yes, he may be sensitive to wool (not allergic) I remember having trouble with that as a lad, and used cotton long-johns for comfort.

There are lots of longish undergarments available, knit boxers, bicycle shorts, underarmor (tm) and the like you can find in a sporting-goods store or department. At any highland games, the athletes in the heavy competitions (caber, etc) quite often if not usually, wear something like the above.

There is nothing quite like wool, and I for one, find most synthetics a poor replacement most of the time.

[bunchdescendant]

23 replies! I guess that's what I get for posting just before I go to bed.

No, I'm not allergic to wool. I didn't even think of it. So that's not the problem.

Riverkilt's description of "woolen" versus "worsted" and wool grades and quality makes a lot of sense. I have a wool suit, for comparison, and don't have the prickle problem. Coupled the fact it is an inexpensive SWK, that nicely explains what is probably happening.

Now to confirm amongst those of use who have both SWK heavyweights and something more expensive that the more expensive wool is nicer against your legs!

Wade.

I have 3 SWK wool HW kilts. The two in USMC Leatherneck (knife and mil box pleat) are softer than my black shadow tartan. In fact, the black shadow tartan kilt irritates the backs of my knees if I wear it long enough. I won't set it aside, though. I think it will eventually wear in. Either my legs or the kilt, one of the other.

Ray