The Wretched Wench kilts

[Riverkilt]

Was going through old posts to get up to speed and saw mention of this outfit in Minnesota, nice website with access to the tartan I want. Looks like quality work. They responded promptly to my inquiry.

Does anyone have any feedback before I order up one?

www.thewretchedwench.com

[Rob]

Was going through old posts to get up to speed and saw mention of this outfit in Minnesota, nice website with access to the tartan I want. Looks like quality work. They responded promptly to my inquiry.

Does anyone have any feedback before I order up one?

www.thewretchedwench.com

The 'Orsman' kilt looks far too long (way past the knees).

I am always a bit suspicious when I keep seeing the same guy wearing the same kilt in many different kiltmaker's web sites. They couldn't all have made that kilt, and if the kilt maker didn't make the kilt, how can you judge the quality of his/her workmanship?

Rob

[TheFly]

Remember that it's not a Scottish kilt, but a Viking one. Perhaps the "proper" length is different with them.

Also, I've only seen those pics on two sites. And both are the same. If you look at the registered owner of both sites, it's the same person. So they changed the name of the company or decided to register more than one domain. No biggie.

[mcnice]

looks like if the monster had buttons insetad of buckles. and i think the pleats from this model are made in a UK way, meeting in the back middle.

the orsman look better i think and is quite cheap.

[Rob]

Remember that it's not a Scottish kilt, but a Viking one. Perhaps the "proper" length is different with them.

Also, I've only seen those pics on two sites. And both are the same. If you look at the registered owner of both sites, it's the same person. So they changed the name of the company or decided to register more than one domain. No biggie.

Joel,

There is no record of the Vikings wearing kilts as such, so therefore there is no 'proper' length for them.

The guy wearing the 'A' Sgeadachadh', second from the right on the kilt page appears in the same kilt in numerous kilt makers web sites. See for instance the Linda Clifford site:-

http://www.lindaclifford.com/Kilts.html

Now who actually made that kilt? Probably none of the kilt makers who place the photo on their sites. In fact at the bottom of the Linda Clifford site it states: "Kilt photographs used by permission of Strathmore Woollen Company". I think this proves my point that we can't see what the kilt makers kilts look like if they show photos of kilts that they didn't make.


Rob

[TheFly]

Now that is curious. I hadn't seen that picture elsewhere before. I stand corrected.

That picture is definitely of different photo style and film quality than the other ones on the wench's page.

However, it's been conjectured that the word "kilt" derrives from a Viking word for a men's garment that's skirted and tucked with string or pin. So I would say there's evidence of some sort that the Norse people wore a kilt-like garment. Also the fact that Norwegian and Scottish families have very close ties. (the McIvar, Nicholson and McDonald families are believed to have descended from Viking's who emmigrated to Scotland)

[Sciuropterus]

Many US kilt dealers selling made-in-Scotland kilts have them made by Lochcarron Mills- a huge outfit in Scotland, with a giant kilt factory. The dealer takes your order, picks up the phone, gives them your measurements and waits. That is why you see the same pictures over and over. Other major players in Scotland are House of Edgar and Lochcassynt. Due to US customs particularities, it is sometimes cheaper to import finished kilts instead of bulk fabric!

[bubba]

Was going through old posts to get up to speed and saw mention of this outfit in Minnesota, nice website with access to the tartan I want. Looks like quality work. They responded promptly to my inquiry.

Does anyone have any feedback before I order up one?

www.thewretchedwench.com

That's their old domain. They changed their name to Jarls of Lochlann.

[Freelander Sporrano]

http://www.nmm.ac.uk/site/navId/00500300l007000

The above is a link to a site which among other things explains about Viking Dress.In all the books I've seen to date the nearest is a long Tunic. It seems they also had leggings for use when cold This was combined with a cloak

[Jimmy Carbomb]

This whole thread goes right along with the old discussion about "Know Your Kiltmaker". We know the guys that actually make their custom kilts, and can only imagine where the others are produced (or mass produced).

I think I'll stick to the one-on-one business dealings with kiltmakers (whether by phone or in person). It's so much easier to get a good fit with someone that's acttually making (or overseeing the making) of my kilts. Those that have access to the UK kiltmakers have got it made!!!

Sure these kilt companies are a business, but like the other thread pointed-out... is it so tough to offer-up a little customer service? As soon as I see the SAME picture on a load of sites, it completely steers me away from the company. That's only a personal bias from one who's been burned.