poly-viscose kilt?

[Andrews Son]

By the way, Cellulose Acetate is a product of cotton pulp or tree pulp. It was one of the first synthetic fibers originally developed in the late 1880's. It is biodegradable (think cigarette filters and old movie film) and therefore is usually replaced with something like Nylon or Polyester.

Sorry a little off the topic, but Cellulose acetate is in a lot of milkshakes, to thicken them up. i was surprised when i found out too.

[The Wizard of BC]

I'm going to word this as a response to Nathan but only because he brought up one point that we sometimes don't think about.
But this actually is directed to everyone.
Folks like myself are at a distinct advantage because we get to see and handle hundreds of kilts. The average first time kilt buyer has maybe, just maybe, handled one kilt before.

Just as there are noticeable differences in the wool we use for kilts, there is a difference in the fabrics used for the Pub Style kilts.

I have seen some 100% Acrylic kilts that were quite nice. Acrylic actually has the potential to be the most "wool like" of any synthetic fiber.

And I have seen some absolutely horrid 'things' that were sold as kilts.

What we sometimes forget is, just as there are good and poor wool kilts, there are good and poor Pub Kilts.

Rocky and I were trying to compile a list of how many sellers of kilts there currently are who advertise kilts made in the various parts of the world. There are simply too many to count. There are at least 50 weaving companies in Pakistan alone. Not all do Tartans and not all sell to the kilt makers but I have seen at least five distinctly different fabrics when it comes to fiber content, weight, tightness of weave, and tightness of yarn twist.

I have also seen around 10 or 12 distinctly different kilts. Some as I said are pretty good. They were good enough that even many of us here would not be able to tell they were not what we would refer to as a kilt. And I'm sorry but the vast majority of the import kilts are terrible. There is little in the way of construction. They have little or no regard to the Tartan in pleating. They have no internal strength relying only on the stitching to hold them together.

And the weight of the fabric is the biggest factor. I have had 7 of these import kilts on my scales. Not a single one used fabric that was more than 10oz per fabric yard. I even had one that was 4oz.
I can tell you from first hand experience that the thickness of a fabric has nothing to do with its weight. The average polar fleece is really thick but weighs almost nothing.

And yet almost every kilt that is advertised is described with almost the exact same words and phrases.

[Nathan]

I'm going to word this as a response to Nathan but only because he brought up one point that we sometimes don't think about.
But this actually is directed to everyone.
Folks like myself are at a distinct advantage because we get to see and handle hundreds of kilts. The average first time kilt buyer has maybe, just maybe, handled one kilt before.

Just as there are noticeable differences in the wool we use for kilts, there is a difference in the fabrics used for the Pub Style kilts.

I have seen some 100% Acrylic kilts that were quite nice. Acrylic actually has the potential to be the most "wool like" of any synthetic fiber.

And I have seen some absolutely horrid 'things' that were sold as kilts.

What we sometimes forget is, just as there are good and poor wool kilts, there are good and poor Pub Kilts.

Rocky and I were trying to compile a list of how many sellers of kilts there currently are who advertise kilts made in the various parts of the world. There are simply too many to count. There are at least 50 weaving companies in Pakistan alone. Not all do Tartans and not all sell to the kilt makers but I have seen at least five distinctly different fabrics when it comes to fiber content, weight, tightness of weave, and tightness of yarn twist.

I have also seen around 10 or 12 distinctly different kilts. Some as I said are pretty good. They were good enough that even many of us here would not be able to tell they were not what we would refer to as a kilt. And I'm sorry but the vast majority of the import kilts are terrible. There is little in the way of construction. They have little or no regard to the Tartan in pleating. They have no internal strength relying only on the stitching to hold them together.

And the weight of the fabric is the biggest factor. I have had 7 of these import kilts on my scales. Not a single one used fabric that was more than 10oz per fabric yard. I even had one that was 4oz.
I can tell you from first hand experience that the thickness of a fabric has nothing to do with its weight. The average polar fleece is really thick but weighs almost nothing.

And yet almost every kilt that is advertised is described with almost the exact same words and phrases.

Steve,

This is interesting as always. Obviously I am not a kilt maker and I don't handle hundreds of kilts but I'm surprised there are so many weavers and so much variation there simply because I keep seeing the exact same cheap kilts everywhere. The ones I mean are all over ebay and I've been told they are acrylic, (for some reason the Macdonald cloth feels a little stiffer than their other tartans)
They may not actually be acrylic, macdonald sporrans uses the above mentioned "65% Viscose Rayon, 35% Acetate Fibre" description. The ones I'm describing are very inexpensive and have a black lining and a tag inside where a maker's name would go that says, "The kilt". They also have extra-long straps to fit more waists regardless of the proper apron placement. Most vendors sell them in a handful of tartans and offer fuzzy bunny and leather board sporrans to go with them. You can buy a lot of 10 of these for like $150 on alibaba in assorted sizes and tartans or all the same.

A lot of people do this and set up ebay stores selling the same kilt with the same photos. The MacDonald modern tartan one caught my interest and every time I handle one, they look and feel the same. They are sometimes listed as poly-viscose or often as a "heavy weight, 8 yard tartan kilt".

To clarify, I mean this one:

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/MENS-SCOTTISH...6d3cfa6&_uhb=1

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/New-Mens-High...a8b7a53&_uhb=1

Granted, I've never taken one apart or weighed it or checked out the innards. I probably wouldn't know what I was looking at if I did but they all look to be cut from the same cloth and manufactured at the same factory or at least to the same specs.

How long will they last before they pill? I have no idea. Will they sag near the straps because the construction is incorrect? Perhaps. I'm not endorsing them as preferable to anything. In fact, they are at the lowest end of the kilt market I've seen.

All I'm saying is that even these low end jobs, can look half decent in the right context if they happen to fit you. Has anyone here owned one for a long time? Do they fall apart?

[LANCER1562]

I have two acrylic kilts from Stillwater Kilts, one in Black Watch and one in Black Stewart. Both of these kilts look, feel, hang and swing like my light weight wool kilt. I have worn my SK kilts to church, the theater, dinner out with family and pub crawling with friends and had only positive comments from people I have passed on the street. Most people who asked about the SK kilts were surprised when I told them they were made from a man made material and not wool.

[The Wizard of BC]

This is what I was trying to get across Nathan,

It almost seems that there is only one website and everyone is using the same one. The wording is almost exactly the same, the pics, even those stolen from someone else are the same.

But the end product is often quite a bit different seller to seller.

And this is why we need the experience of folks like you. To let people know which sellers are selling what. Because you sure can't tell from the advertising.

[Fergus Macdonald]

Interesting answer...: "...the cloth is woven in China as well."
Right now when I am writing this and at the time I ordered one of these there on the web page is said that: "... budget kilts are made in China but with "British woven tartan cloth"". Have I been a bit cheated?

Regardless of the above mentioned the kilt seems to be quite usable. I can not compare it to anything because it is the only kilt I have ever had in my hands, only seen some others at a distance. The fabric and workmanship was referred by one seamstress I showed it as "very OK" but she also has never before seen a single kilt. Anyway, it is perfect one to see if I will stay kilted in this environment where no one else is kilted.

Yes, buyakilt.com has many positive reviews at their site (even if there now has been one "15 hours ago" 5-star review for the last week or so ). I checked all less than 5 stars on Reviews.co.uk before ordering and they all had been handled fine.

Regardless of this, it would be interesting to know what this kilt is really made of and how it compares with other less expensive materials and kilts.

Hello Kylahullu,

Well spotted on both accounts!

Unfortunately with the budget kilts, we've heard different things from different sources at the manufacturers. Previously we were told they were made in China from British cloth. When we investigated it again after this thread was posted, we were told they are made from Chinese cloth. I suspect the later is true, and we've updated our descriptions accordingly.

We don't try to mislead anyone and are quite open about where and how our products are made, provided we ourselves get clear and accurate information!

Regarding the reviews - you're spot on as well. I realised 2 days ago that the widget is not updating to the latest reviews. It's meant to update automatically every few hours, and show the 3 latest reviews, but seems to have stopped doing that a few weeks ago and we didn't notice! However, we know now and are working on fixing it as we speak.

Fergus

[Fergus Macdonald]

PS meant to add, that we have a comprehensive 365 day return policy. If a product is not suitable, the quality doesn't stand up or we've mis-sold it in some way, just let us know and we'll put it right.

[sailortats]

I have said it before and will say it again. I have bought several items from Buyakilt.com and have never been disappointed in the service or the quality of the item.

[Richrail]

I have to agree with Phil. I have never been disappointed with Buyakilt.com top notch customer service, always ready to answer questions. They go the extra mile.

[Kylahullu]

...

A lot of people do this and set up ebay stores selling the same kilt with the same photos. The MacDonald modern tartan one caught my interest and every time I handle one, they look and feel the same. They are sometimes listed as poly-viscose or often as a "heavy weight, 8 yard tartan kilt".

To clarify, I mean this one:

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/MENS-SCOTTISH...6d3cfa6&_uhb=1

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/New-Mens-High...a8b7a53&_uhb=1

...

How long will they last before they pill? I have no idea. Will they sag near the straps because the construction is incorrect? Perhaps. I'm not endorsing them as preferable to anything. In fact, they are at the lowest end of the kilt market I've seen.

All I'm saying is that even these low end jobs, can look half decent in the right context if they happen to fit you. Has anyone here owned one for a long time? Do they fall apart?

The latter of those links shows the seller to be one of our advertisers, Buyakilt.com. At least the phone number of the ebay seller and Buyakilt is the same and both show the name Macdonald Sporrans. The product seems to be the 8 yard Budget Kilt of Buyakilt.

Here in this thread there has been many members telling they like their budget kilts and have owned and used them a long time and not mentioning any problems of the product falling apart.
By inspecting the one I own (without taking it apart) it looks like it does not have any strengthening structures around the waist or between the buckles so it might not stay in shape as long as a hand made tank. May be I am wrong but I think it might be advisable to (always) wear a belt with these to take some of the stress out of the fabric and stitches. Any ideas about a belt use in this manner, not only as a matter of style?