SWK Thriftys- what to expect?

[Amoskeag]

I think, that after you sew down the fell, they make excellant summer weight kilts.

Do you recommend hand or machine stitching ? Either is OK by me, I just hate picking out stitches.
Bob

[James MacMillan]

Do you recommend hand or machine stitching ? Either is OK by me, I just hate picking out stitches.
Bob

I've done both. A couple I hand stitches, and it makes them reversible. Either works.

[Nighthawk]

Ok. Here goes. I got the kilts tonight.

The Gordon- tartan is beautiful, as we all know. The selvedge is a touch ragged. Not too bad thought. The manufacture is good and sturdy. The velcro isn't nearly as cheap as I had expected. The pleats are shallow- about an inch each. There is no reversed pleat on the right hand side, and as mentioned, the pleats aren't sewn down. I have to admit that I kinda like that to be honest. It breathes really well. I do think that I will be putting buckles on these kilts, however, simply because I like the look. All in all, for $30 apiece, I have to say that as always with SWK, I got more than my monies worth. These will make great summer kilts and I deffinately need to get a few more. Oh, and one more thing- the had three rows of basting stitched as opposed to the one in the economies and heavyweights, which surprised (and dismayed- I hate pulling out the stitched! It's a pain!).

Same review goes for the Irish National.

So there you go. That's what I think of the SWK Thriftys.

[Bugbear]

Congratulations Nighthawk. Interesting that you like the pleats not being sewn down... Although, I do seem to remember you being a belted plaid wearer. For some reason, the wide pleats don't bother me, and I think that has to do with tartan, and being blind as a bat. BTW, I like lots of small pleats for more formal looks.

[MacFett]

I'd like to thank everyone who offered their reviews here. I've been looking for a cheap kilt I can wear around the house and do yard work in while not having to worry about messing up a good kilt. It sounds to me like the SWK thrifty or economy is the way to go.

Anyone that has a sport kilt, how is the velcro on a SWK thrifty/economy compared to that on sport kilt?

Also, what is the standard length of the SWKs? I'm hoping to get them to wear low like an AK or UK (I have a 20" length for them). Will the SWK be too long? Does SWK offer them shorter (I only see the option for waist)?

[Makeitstop]

SWK's standard length is 24" but I think they offer custom lengths at an additional charge.

The velcro on sport kilts is much better. The velcro on my thrifties is good at first, but wears out fast. Economies use straps, not velcro, so it's a non-issue.

[MacFett]

Thank you MIS. My CFO just gave me the go ahead to order myself a few and the kids too.

[Nighthawk]

Yeah, the velcro on the SK is much better, I will agree with that. But for the money, it makes a lot more sense (to my mind) to get a SWK thrifty and replace the velcro. I feel really ripped off having spent $130 on my Sport Kilt the works kilt. I was really disapointed with it. I felt like I get a $60 kilt, and paid over twice what it was worth. The pleats are shallow, there aren't many of them, the strap/buckles are cheap, and the straps are placed to the minimum size of the kilt, so because I am bigger than the smalles the kilt will go, I have to leave the buckles undone and hanging loose. So over all, I say the SWK is a much better value.

In defense of Sport Kilt, though, my wife has two skirts from them, and they're both beautiful. I totally recomend them for womens clothing.

[dowofbuchanan]

good on ya mate 30 bucks barely buys a decent pair of pants ... youve got something much better looking and way better for the same price i wanted to get an economy from jerry but they only have buchanan in thrifty guess hes heard of the scot pinching a penny hard enough to split it in twayne

[Bugbear]

There will be other ones, so just hang in there. Guess you could squeeze that penny while your waiting. If you squeeze it hard enough, you might even be able to get one of those wool StillWater kilts... Those are really good.