Whats everyones opinion of PV kilts

[JOHNNY FAIRLESS]

I take it Poly-Viscose is not the same as Acrylic, correct ? Here's the deal. I have an acrylic from SWK that i'm pretty happy with. Yes, it does pill where my sporran rests but I can live with that, i've got hair clippers. I would like to get a kilt in one of my family tartans thats still affordable. I was considering a casual PV from USAKILTS but im not sure how it compares to what I have. I also didnt think I'd like the velcro inside ? Any opinions are welcome.

[xman]

Well it's not a traditional kilt. Don't expect it to be. It rides lower and doesn't have the reverse pleat or any of the stabilising material inside, but I loved wearing my USAK Casual last summer and will do so again when the weather warms up. It really is great fabric, very durable, light but not too light. I'm a happy customer.

[JOHNNY FAIRLESS]

I guess i didnt relize they ride lower. Thanks for pointing that out xman. Also, do you find it still looks good with "trad" clothes eventhough it rides lower ?

[Zardoz]

PV is a pretty good wool analog, it has a tighter smoother finish than the Acrylic like SWK and others use. I think it's really great stuff, easy care and nice in warmer climates.

I would suggest holding out for a USA Kilts Semi-trad, you won't be disappointed! I own 5 of them, here's a review for my last one;

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-review-60943/

[JOHNNY FAIRLESS]

Thanks Zardoz and Mike. That is a really nice tight weave. Im glad to see the close ups you posted. Very helpful info guys. I think your right, I should hold out for one like that. Thanks again.

[Zardoz]

glad to help!

[Nighthawk]

PV is a pretty good wool analog, it has a tighter smoother finish than the Acrylic like SWK and others use. I think it's really great stuff, easy care and nice in warmer climates.

I would suggest holding out for a USA Kilts Semi-trad, you won't be disappointed! I own 5 of them, here's a review for my last one;

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-review-60943/

I would repeat what Z says! PV is a KICK A## wool substitute. It's not as horrifyingly flamable as acrylic. Ask me how I know... I would take PV over acrylic any day!!

[xman]

I guess i didnt relize they ride lower. Thanks for pointing that out xman. Also, do you find it still looks good with "trad" clothes eventhough it rides lower ?

I've worn it with a kilt belt and waistcoat, but I think if you wanted to go with a jacket, yeah a semi-trad would be better. I like my PV so much I wish I had it in a semi-trad actually so that it looked a little more stylish. The Casual is like wearing casual shorts or something like that. really sturdy material, but easy on the composition for comfort and simplicity's sake.

[Steve Ashton]

You seem to be getting answers that are all over on your question. If I can, let me put some facts to the question.

P/V is the short name for a synthetic fiber blend of Polyester and Rayon. (the "V" stands for Viscose which is the British term for Rayon). There are only two or three weaving companies which weave Tartan in P/V with the most recognized and respected being Marton Mills just outside Leeds, UK.

Acrylic is a completly different synthetic fiber. Most of the Tartans and Kilts woven and made in Pakistan, India, Hungary, China, and Taiwan use Acrylic. (Your Stillwater Kilt is made in Pakistan.)

These two fibers feel, look, wear, and swish complely differently. If you do a google search for Acrylic you will probably find at least one site that states that Acrylic is the closest of the synthetics to Wool. That would be true if the fibers were Worsted.

Worsting is the process used when weaving Wool Tartan fabric where the fibers are pulled, and stretched so that all are straight and parallel while spinning into yarns. The yarns are also twisted very tightly. This results in a fabric whos surface feels more "nubbly" than "fuzzy". And because it has fewer wool "hairs" sticking out sideways most Kilt wool does not have the caractaristic wool itchyness. Sadly acrylic is seldom worsted and hard twisted. Sadly some acrylic fabrics feel closer polar fleece than to Kilt Wool.

OK, we now have a fabric but not a Kilt. When a Kilt is made, regardless of what fabric it is made from, the Kiltmaker has the decision what the Kilt will look like, how many pleats, how much fabric, and how it will fit. These things are up to the Kilt design not due to the fabric.

So why do some people object to the synthetics. Well, mostly because its not 100% Scottish Wool. Because its not 'traditional". With the exception of Marton Mills most synthetic fabrics, and Kilts, are made somewhere other than the UK.

Since the advent of the "modern' kilt and the proliferation of Kilts made outside of the UK all synthetics have suffered from a bad reputation due to some of the advertising policies of some of the companies making and selling Kilts and Kilt like garments. Some of these companies do not adhere to the actual thread count of registered Tartans. Some advertise 100% Acrylic Wool. And some advertise their fabric content as "heavy weight P/V" when in fact it may be Acrylic and may be far lighter per yard than the usuall for P/V or Wool.

These advertising policies are what actually upset most people. And this is where X Marks comes into its own. The members here are some of the most educated and discerning consumers in the world. Over and over you will find references to the different fibers, fabrics, Tartans and Kilts. We usually know far more than the average tourist walking the Royal Mile in Edinburgh who simply wants a souvenier of his visit to Scotland.

Many of us know the difference between Wool, P/V and Acrylic. We also know Kilts. If we want a Kilt to participate in the Heavy Events at Highland Games we know enough that we may choose a synthetic over Wool. We know that the synthetics usually cost less, are machine washable and that the creases of the pleats may be almost permanent requireing less care. Most of our members are also frugal Scots. We know enough to match our Kilt purchases to our budget.

Where many new members make their first mistake is to believe the advertising. They have not yet learned that Synthetics may not be as heavy as Wool. They may not yet know that synthetics feel, act and look completly different than Wool. They may believe that Acrylic is the same as P/V. And they may believe that just because a Kilt is made from a synthetic that it is inferior in some way.

The truth is that a Kilt made by a competent and reputable Kiltmaker from the Polyester/Rayon blend known as P/V woven by Marton Mills and worn in the manner that the kilt was designed to be worn can look very good.

[Mike in Dayton]

If you don't want the Velcro go with USAKilts Semi-Traditional line of kilts. That line has buckles. It is PV material like the casual. I have one USAKilt casual my others are semi-traditional.

I like the PV material. It is not the same as Acrylic. PV is essentially a Polyester-Rayon type of material. These are great summer weight kilts. Maybe a little cold in the winter. PV is easy to take care of as it is machine washable. Also, PV resists wrinkles.

Mike