First Kilt Purchase, Could Use Some Advice

**Glitch** · 26th June 09, 08:56 PM

Greetings X-Marks!

This isn't my first post here. I registered three years ago, when I first thought of buying a kilt. Life got in the way, but I recently graduated from law school, and I figured that if I don't jump in and buy one now, especially with my security deposit from my last apartment coming back soon, I might never get a kilt.

I was looking at Scotweb, and they are practically giving away a full tank. Well, maybe not giving, but a few years ago they were charging at least $500, and now I can get a tank (the 8 yard Balmoral), in Gunn modern, House of Edgar, 16oz, for just a shade over $300. That's pretty competitive with what other kiltmakers are charging for 5 yard casual models in some places. I noticed that there doesn't seem to be any way to select if you want it set to the stripe or the sett. Is this left to the discretion of the kiltmaker at Scotweb, or is there some way to specify which you prefer? Given that Gunn modern has that nice red stripe, I would prefer it set to that, but for $300 I suppose I'll take what I can get and like it!

I have a few other concerns about Scotweb, though. I know the quality is second to none, but I am a little leery of buying such an expensive garment from an overseas retailer sight unseen, and with no practical way to get a hold of them save email. I noticed that they offer free shipping on orders that large, but it is uninsured and there is no way to track the order once shipped. Do any X-Marks posters have experience buying from Scotweb with the free shipping, or should I just pony up the extra $45 and use the priority international courier? I'm worried the kilt might be damaged in transit if I use the free shipping, and then I would be out $300 and forced to remain in pants. Also, are there any international duties I have to pay?

Thanks in advance for your help.

**Colonel MacNeal** · 26th June 09, 09:31 PM

If you get it sent Royal Mail, there usually isn't a problem with customs fees.

No worries with ScotWeb - very solid and trustworthy.

You waited 3 years to get a kilt? What's wrong with you?

Cheers, ColMac

**Riverkilt** · 26th June 09, 09:36 PM

Where do you live on the Planet??

You'll do better if you can visit a skilled kiltmaker, get measured by them, and deal direct. They can score the material for you. You can often get hand sewn kilts dealing direct for less than the big middlemen charge. But, depends on where you live.

Gunn modern is a beautiful tartan, have one.

**JolyStNicholas** · 27th June 09, 05:08 AM

Welcome, I just received my Seton Modern from ScotWeb and am very pleased.
They produce an excellant kilt and the service is second to none!
What route you decide to take, do take it and get your kilt and wear it proudly.
There are many good kilt makers out there, we have some of the best here as sponsers on XMarks.

**McMurdo** · 27th June 09, 05:23 AM

I've not ordered from Scotweb as yet, however Nick from Scotweb, user name "Nick (Scotweb)" is a member here perhaps he could answer any concerns you have.

**Glitch** · 27th June 09, 07:01 AM

Thanks for your replies, everyone.

Colonel: I've been in grad school the last three years, an expensive and time consuming affair. But I'm out, unemployed and living with my brother, so I have all the time in the world, now. I take it "Royal Mail" means the free shipping? If so, then I guess I'll go that route.

Riverkilt: I'm currently living in Albany, NY. Originally I was planning on buying one of the semi-traditional PV kilts from USAkilts.com, but given the low price of a full tank from Scotweb, I think I should pick one up with the prices hold. I'm not aware of any kiltmakers in my local area, so even if I ordered a domestic made kilt I would still be doing so sight unseen.

**Riverkilt** · 27th June 09, 09:10 AM

Sounds like you're close to Barb Tewksbury who's an active member of this board as Barb T. You'd be cheating yourself if you didn't contact her for a competitive bid. She's in Deansboro, near Utica.

Use the search feature on this board and put in Tewksbury and you'll get a long list of posts applauding her work...think there's even a Tewksbury owners social group on this board.

Do check her out before you make your final decision.

Many of us find it much less expensive, with finer quality, and ACCURATE measurements, working direct with a skilled kiltmaker.

Ron

**ForresterModern** · 27th June 09, 09:42 AM

Another kiltmaker realtively new to the forum but not to kiltmaking is also possibly nearby. Bonnie Heather Greene (aka Bonnie Heather here on xmarks) of Westchester, NY, did a beautiful handmade for me that I just did a review of a week or so ago. Her prices are reasonable, wait is short, and quality IMHO very good. Read the review and check out hte pictures, and get contact info there:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/r...x.html?t=50269

Good luck with whoever you choose, and welcome tothe kilted workd (well, soon enough).

Jeff :ootd:

**Sionnach** · 27th June 09, 12:07 PM

from AZ

**Glitch** · 27th June 09, 02:26 PM

Riverkilt:

I wasn't aware Prof. Tewksbury still was making kilts. She actually taught at my alma mater, Hamilton College, though I majored in philosophy and not geology, so I never had a class with her. Amusingly, now that I have been out of undergrad for nine years, I have suddenly developed an interest in geology. What can I say, upstate NY rocks are interesting. Funny story, I got the Norwalk Virus (or something very similar) my junior year there and was so dehydrated that I had to go to the hospital. Since I was clearly in no state to drive myself the college EMTs called the meatwagon. While I'm lying on a stretcher in the back of the ambulance I glance up and see that the EMT working on my had a nametag that read "Tewksbury." "Hey," I said, "You wouldn't happen to be related to Professor Tewksbury, would you?" The EMT replied, "Why yes, I'm her husband." "Oh," I said, "I saw in the college alumni magazine that she just was given an award, give her my congratulations," and then I lost the power of speech. He chuckled a bit at that. I suppose he wasn't used to people with wavering vital signs making polite conversation!

Anyway, that story done, what does she charge?

ForresterModern: Thanks. I'll check out that kiltmaker. At this point, since no one had said anything negative about Scotweb I think I'll get my first kilt from there, and then see how it goes. I haven't even bought one yet, and I'm already looking over the Scottish Tartans Museum website and Kincloch Anderson to find the perfect coat and waistcoat to go with it. The addiction is already taking hold. If I like the first one, I'll definitely be buying more when I can afford it.

Sionnach, thanks for the welcome.