2nd Kilt: SWK Std vs USAK Cas vs USAK SemiTrad

[Sammac]

Welcome from Michigan I own a USA semi-trad and it is a fantastic kilt. I have been looking at SWK heavyweights, though. A made to fit kilt does just feel and hang much better.

[billmcc]

Here is a quick comparison of USAK’s kilts:

USAK Casual
* Made of 4 to 5 yards of 11 oz. washable PV material from Marton Mills.
* Perma-pleating, and pleats sewn down at the fell.
* Hand pleated to sett or stripe.
* Velcro fastening system.
* Intended to be worn (low) on the hips, but can be worn higher (if ordered longer).
* Tapered front apron. Three-quarter width under-apron.
* No waist band, but material folded over at the top.
* Three belt loops intended for a 1.5-inch wide belt are standard, but wider belt loops provided when requested.
* No lining.
* Machine sewn.

USAK Semi-Traditional
* Made of 7 to 8 yards of 11 oz. washable PV material from Marton Mills.
* Pleats sewn down at the fell.
* Hand pleated to sett or stripe.
* Three straps and buckles for fastening.
* Intended to be worn (high) on the waist like a traditional kilt.
* Tapered front apron. Full width under-apron.
* Traditional waist band.
* Two belt loops for a standard kilt belt.
* No lining.
* Machine sewn.

[lethearen]

Welcome, from another matrilineal Ferguson!

May I throw another option into the mix that you hadn't offered up originally? Click on the Scotweb banner in the upper right of the forum page. For a very reasonable price you can get a made-to-order wool kilt in just about any tartan you can imagine - including Ireland's National and a handful of different styles of Ferguson. And by clicking on the banner you get a 10% discount.

Wool breathes very well, is naturally flame-retardant (there's a great vid somewhere on this forum demonstrating burning different fabrics), durable, and holds pleats very well. And I believe it doesn't pill very much, either. Others more knowledgeable can probably speak for the material better than I.

All that said, I plan to celebrate my upcoming birthday by purchasing a new kilt from Rocky at USA Kilts, based on the rave reviews I've read on this forum.

[Zardoz]

You can't go wrong with the quality and value of a USA Kilts Semi-Trad!

[LaphroaigQCFan]

Thanks everyone. I've pretty much decided no to acrylic. There seemed to be unanimous opposition to that fabric.

Still debating with myself over casual vs semi-trad, and now with lethearen's input, I got some others to think about as well. Wool is an amazing fabric (and yes, I already knew wool is much better than synthetics when it comes to flames).

[bricelythgoe]

Thanks everyone. I've pretty much decided no to acrylic. There seemed to be unanimous opposition to that fabric.

Still debating with myself over casual vs semi-trad, and now with lethearen's input, I got some others to think about as well. Wool is an amazing fabric (and yes, I already knew wool is much better than synthetics when it comes to flames).

Looking at the mistakes I have made, I would do the 8 yard pv. I think you will like it better than a casual.

Brice

[fluter]

LaphroaigQCFan,

I know that you said "for lounging around at home," but I have to submit that's my SportKilt's best role. In a sense it's my "most worn" kilt, since I put it on every morning. When I'm out and about, the USAK semi-trad is my most worn. The casual is great for traveling (airports especially---no metal).

I'd recommend the semi-trad, if you can swing it: more fabric, more swish, and it looks super when dressing up. It has a deeper "deep pleat" (first pleat on the left---though not so deep as the SK) and a reverse pleat on the right, so it moves with you very nicely.

One really can't go wrong with either model, as they are made to measure. Here's a casual

and semi-trad: