Who actually OWNS a Scottish hand-sewn?

[Mychael Sporrano]

Incidentally, I've gotten a few PMs and emails complaining about thread breaks and pulls from one kilt company. I know the stuff "breaks-down" with washings and dryings, so keep an eye out for such things before they get out of hand!

I have been giving this some thought and have decided a response is in order. I think that it would be helpful were folks to post such problems directly to this board when it is relevant, giving some FIRST HAND specifics. Afterall, many of us are making decisions based on the testimonial that we read here, so it doesn't help too much if only the positive things get mentioned.

"...thread breaks and pulls from one kilt company," is a rather vague statement. I read that and now realize that this can be a consideration when selecting a manufacturer, but since the info wasn't specific I have no way of discerning which kiltmaker to avoid. Because this is a section dealing with traditional kilts, I assume that we are talking about traditional kilts, but the mention of, "...washings and dryings..." doesn't sound like wool. Now I have to be suspect of ALL kilts! Not being a primary source of this info, I don't consider it the duty of Jimmy C to list the offender, but since the topic was broached I am now naturally curious as to the particulars.

I am not advocating a nasty old all-out accusatory forum, only asking that objectivity come into play when it is relative, the goal being to help us all make informed decisions where purchasing kilts and their accoutrement are concerned. Last month, a well spoken KennyB brought up the mention of his issue with Geoffrey (Tailor) that to my knowledge has yet to be resolved and in which I have taken interest because I am considering a jacket from this source. Where my own dealings are concerned, though I have not listed them in their totality, when the topic came up in the thread dealing with shopping on the Royal Mile, I alluded to some problems I have personally had using Nicolson Highlandwear. I wasn't asked to elaborate, and as I recall I didn't. I do have to admit to not feeling very comfortable knocking someone in a public forum such as this where anyone can basically say anything regardless of how true it may be, but at the same time I feel that there has to be some objectivity in the reporting. Otherwise, I may as well buy everything based on its picture and the claims of its purveyor. After a person has posted for a period of time, it becomes clear how much weight their claims should be given.

Wow... In forums of this nature I am typically such an advocate of keeping things pleasant that I am surprising myself with this post. But, I suppose that "too nice" can also be a problem at times.

Mychael

[Freelander Sporrano]

Mychael, As allways you have some very valid points.I for one am in the process of thinking seriously about kilt No 3. I use the things I read here as a help to form an opinion about the different companies and what they offer. As yet I have experience of One Scottish company. No 2 is on order from Canada.

When my plans crossed over from thinking to doing I wrote some PM's to those here on the forum that have such a kilt, or from their postings earlier have had some experience of a company I'm interested in doing Buisness with.

I think a form of Public humiliation of the different companies would soon be detrimental to the forum. It is best left to PM's. I'm no kilt maker so am not qualifyed to make such critisiums of these peoples craft.

Having said that I have a first hand knoledge of how the one kilt I have at present is holding up.However I'd like to buy more kilts and feel a little apprehensive of buying from a vendor over the internet without prior knowelege of them as a company.So yes I try to gain as much as possible from what is on the forum publically and I Pm if not

Make of this what you will....

All the best....David

[Mychael Sporrano]

Thanks for your thoughts, David. [Wallace and Gromett rule!]

I realize that most of us who frequent this board are not kilt makers, but as consumers we ARE qualified to say what we do and do not like about a particular kilt. For instance, while mentioning that the service was prompt and that one loves the pockets or the fabric, etc., one would be easily within his rights to also mention that the buckles weren't well secured, or that the pleats were not straight if either were so. This isn't a case where "if you don't have anything nice to say don't say it" is applicable. I have read only good things about Bear, and I based a decision to purchase a pair of Bear kilts on these comments. I didn't feel that I had to start emailing around asking for folks to confirm positive remarks they made earlier or try to tease negatives from them.

I heartliy agree that personal messenger is a good way of getting more comprehensive knowledge, and I do use it for exactly this purpose on occasion. But, to reiterate, I don't want to read a person's comments or review on something and then have to send them a private correspondence in order to find out if there are any negatives they were not comfortable mentioning. I might ask them to elaborate on something that they mentioned, or I might bring up a point that was not covered, but I don't want to have to play dentist trying to get to any unsavory particulars.

Mychael

[Freelander Sporrano]

Mychael.
I feel we have the same view point We've just got there by different routes. What I should have said was I use PM's to get the person to elaborate on something they have said, and that I feel I'd like some background on without involving everyone.

Wallace and Grommit do rule. Thats for sure

All the best ...David

[beverlonian]

I've held back from critising any kilt suppliers since I'm very wary of the legal position. Could they sue for defamation even if the critisism is perfectly true, since this is a public board? Perhaps we have someone with a legal background on the board who could advise? Whilst we also have a certain anonymity, I'm also unsure if we could be identified. Personally I would love to know the down-side as well as the upside.

[bear]

I've held back from critising any kilt suppliers since I'm very wary of the legal position. Could they sue for defamation even if the critisism is perfectly true, since this is a public board? Perhaps we have someone with a legal background on the board who could advise? Whilst we also have a certain anonymity, I'm also unsure if we could be identified. Personally I would love to know the down-side as well as the upside.

I don't think any kiltmaker is going to sue anyone. Not only would it look bad and hurt orders, it would be tossed out of court.
Criticise away! I'll get you started. It takes too long to get a Bear Kilt! What is that bastard doing? Watching Oprah all day?

[bubba]

Criticise away! I'll get you started. It takes too long to get a Bear Kilt! What is that bastard doing? Watching Oprah all day?

Nah, the bum is down at the pub.

[Rob]

Returning to the original topic of this thread, I have an 8yd 'Devon Original' kilt in 15oz wool from McCalman Kilts (near Edinburgh). The quality is first class.

Rob

[mcnice]

i got now one from geoffrex tailor, edinburgh. seeing the difference to my cheaper only 4 yard kilts i really was astonished about the difference.
3 of my other kilts are from ebay, but not among those available all the time in dress gordon, mcdonald, mckenzie and so on where belt and sporran are included, but kilts available only in a tartan similar to dress gordon and an unidentifiable blue one. i dont now why they are listended quite rare, they are really well made, cheap, woolen, 4 yard and have a clever pocket on the right side between the two buckles.

to return to the ancient douglas kilt from geoffrey tailor: i ve to shorten its lenght, but i would have to put 2 in in the inside bottom as i can ´t just cut the less material and finish the selvedge as a kiltmaker. because those handmade kilts, as i suggest, finish wothout a pleat at the bottom. does anybody got experince on how this would change the falling and swinging of the kilt?

regards

[RockyR]

If you hem the bottom edge of a kilt, that adds material (it makes it 3 layers thick instead of 1). Since there are 3 layers of material being folded (to make the pleat), not just 1 layer, the hemmed area wants to "kick out" more. The pleats may stay open a bit at the bottom.