Poly/Viscose Acrylic Kilts

[Kid Cossack]

I picked up one of the Burnett's and Struth casual kilts in ancient MacKay (I'd ordered weathered Ulster only to find out they were out of stock). It is a surprisingly solid little kilt for the price. My only objection is that the reversed pleats under the aprons are a wee bit scanty---but I like quite deep reversed pleats. I like this kilt quite a bit.

If you're going to go for a synthetic kilt, my advice would be to go with good Marton Mills poly-viscose. I've got several kilts from USAK made from the Marton PV, and they're dang near bullet-proof. They have the look of wool, and are very comfortable. While Rocky (at USAK) generally divides the choices up between the five yard casual (with pleats fully sewn down) and the eight yard semi-traditional, he made my US Army tartan kilt up as a "five yard semi-trad." He might be amenable to doing up a five yard semi-traditional for others, as well, which would reduce costs.

Both the Burnett's and USAKs are custom tailored, and that's a good thing. Even if you've got an "off the peg" body, tailored garments have a special charm, fit and appeal.

I've never owned a Frugal Kilt, but I've had some SWKs. My main objection to the SWKs is that they seem hotter to me than my other kilts. The acrylic looks good and swishes well, but just seems to build up heat more than wool and PV. Also, the SWK heavyweight doesn't have the pleats cut out at the fell, giving a "pillow butt" look, and also making the kilt wear hotter than most other sixteen ounce, eight yard kilts. With that said, however, Jerry at SWK offers lightning fast shipping, good pricing, and the kilts are "solid beaters."

I think any of the options outlined in these responses would work well and look good at your wedding. (Congratulations, by the way!) I would probably orient my choice based on the best man. Is he likely to wear the kilt out and about in the future? Will this be a "one off" event for him? The more likely he is to wear a kilt in the future, the more likely I would be to invest in a USAK or Burnett's and Struth tailored kilt.

I hope this helps, and once more, congratulations.

[Jock Scot]

Does Yon Mate smoke or will there be a lot of smokers around. Some cheaper PV kilts will go up like petrol and I once saw a PV plaid go up in smoke at a wedding from a candle bump.

Do your home work first when buying. I would think Irish National/Heritage may be best if he is of Irish decent. This would make him feel comfier in a kilt. Rather than wearing an unrelated Clan tartan.

The fire hazard is a good point. I am sure this point has been covered before, but not recently I think. Anyway, as I have no experience with synthetic kilt cloth what are the fire risks? Does this cloth have a greater fire risk than say wool? Not all synthetic kilt cloth is made of the same stuff, is one better(safer) than the other, or another?

[ForresterModern]

One recently discovered option to going with synthetic would be to contact Josh (our own NOrCalPiper) at Skye Highland OUtfitters about having them do up a true 8 yd wool kilt, which they currently have for sale in their web site for under $300 US.

http://skyehighlandoutfitters.com/Skye_Kilts.html

Long list of available tartans (including MacKintosh Hunting in that spelling) and a claimed turnaround of 4-6 weeks (or better), along with free shipping for xmarks members, if I remember (correct me if I am wrong on this Josh). To me sounds like a steal for a wool 8 yd machine sewn kilt from one of our own xmarkers retail business. I personally have not ordered one yet, just because I have a few other irons in the fire right now, but have no doubt that I will some day soon. Got my eye on a Douglas Brown tank right now.

Hope this is helpful.

[Bruno]

The fire hazard is a good point. I am sure this point has been covered before, but not recently I think. Anyway, as I have no experience with synthetic kilt cloth what are the fire risks? Does this cloth have a greater fire risk than say wool? Not all synthetic kilt cloth is made of the same stuff, is one better(safer) than the other, or another?

Well as I have only seen that one PV go up like a petrol soaked rag I can only base my PV experience on that, and what I have heard about. When it comes to wool it is harder to ignite and tends to smoulder and leave holes. The chap I saw ignite literally had to ditch his jacket and let it burn, it went up so fast, he had no chance to put it out. (good thing it was not a kilt) That's one of the reasons I NEVER wear a fly plaid or PV.

The way I smoke a pipe its asking for trouble

[sp00ky]

My one an only kilt is a poly-viscose, so I cannot really offer any comparasin but I can offer experience.

Temperature: I stood out in the sun for a good part of last saturday, my top half was roasting, but my bottom half was nice and cool, even with my 8-yard and hose.

Look: I was talking kilts with someone, and I mentioned that my wife is severley allergic to wool, ao my kilt was synthetic and I wasn't sure if I would ever be able to get a real wool kilt. They were astounded that it wasn't made of wool.

Personally, I think it looks great, feels great, and hangs nicely as far as I can tell from my limited view point! I stress about my pleats when driving and sitting but so far not a wrinkle to be seen.

Price range was also a factor, since as we all know a full kilt package from stratch included a lot of expenses, so it helped the pocket book.

In all I am happy with it, and if you are it shouldn't matter.

As for fire resistance, I have googled all around here and on the net at large and so far have only come up with conflicting answers.

Scott

[Skipper1]

I will put a plug in for Barnes and Struth. I have one of their casual kilts and it is superb - very traditional cut and essentially made to measure. Excellent workmanship as well.

[Livingston]

Well as I have only seen that one PV go up like a petrol soaked rag I can only base my PV experience on that, and what I have heard about. When it comes to wool it is harder to ignite and tends to smoulder and leave holes. The chap I saw ignite literally had to ditch his jacket and let it burn, it went up so fast, he had no chance to put it out. (good thing it was not a kilt) That's one of the reasons I NEVER wear a fly plaid or PV.

The way I smoke a pipe its asking for trouble

Was that a PV kilt or Acrylic? I've heard of the Acrylic burning like that but not the PV kilts.

[Climbermac]

Thanks for all the input!

I had hoped he'd wear the kilt after the wedding, so I am hoping for something worth the investment. Also he does smoke, so not going up in smoke is an issue. I used to be in outdoor search & rescue, twice I have seen the aftermath of fleece bursting into flame. I hadn't thought about that with the kilt. Synthetics can be a bit dodgy.

I got in touch with a gent named Ralph at Clansman Knitwear. He is going to rent me some pieces (waistcoats, sporrans, etc...) to fill out the attendants outfits. He said he's got a new kilt in Irish Heritage: 16oz, 8 yards, acrylic (I think or P/V) for 59 bucks! He claims he'd stand it up next to any similar kilt on the market. Not sure how it can be that cheap but I'm tempted to buy one just to see. At that price I could buy my best man a nice sporran too! I've always operated on the adage of getting what you pay for, but am finding myself duly tempted...

Thanks again for all the input and welcomes!

Cheers,

Joshua C. McIntosh

[McMurdo]

ClimberMac
Please do yourself a favour and do a search on Clansman Knitwear here. I've never dealt with him, but others have. Remember in Highland wear you tend to get what you pay for. For the burn test check out this thread:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/b...698/index.html

[NorCalPiper]

Before you go to Clansman Knitwear-You should check out the MULTIPLE complaints they've had at the BBB-They are also listed as "No-Go's" in other forums....beware.

http://www.goldengatebbb.org/commonr...html?bid=40261

*NOTE* I just tried the link and the site is being serviced, but there were like 50 complaints against them....Think about that one.