Is a kilt outfit a luxury item?

[Jimmy]

After correspondence with fellow X-markers regarding wearing a kilt to work, I realised that it certainly would not be appropriate in my case to wear a kilt to work.
Currently I work with unemployed individuals who are on low income. These individuals could not afford to hire a kilt never bother buy one.
If I wore my kilt to work, it would be totally inappropriate dress where my clientele are poorly off, and certainly would not enhance my credibility with this group of people.
So do fellow X-markers feel that they are part of an elite group, especially if you owned several kilts and outfits?

[M. A. C. Newsome]

After walking through a Ben Silver store and seeing a nice tweed jacket with a four-digit price tag, I don't feel like being able to pay a few hundred dollars for a quality kilt necessarily qualifies one as "elite." Heck, I've seen blue jeans advertised in fashion magazines that cost twice as much as a good kilt!

However, I define "luxury item" as something one has because it is wanted, not because it is needed. I need basic clothing, but I want and enjoy wearing the kilt. So yes, I'd consider Highland dress a luxury (though one that thankfully many of us can afford to indulge in).

[OC Richard]

Yes I see your point Jimmy.

In my case, working as a piper, Highland Dress is a necessity, like the Tuxedo of the professional "classical" musician. It's my work clothes, the "gig suit" or "monkey suit" as jazz players call it.

I suppose it dates back to when pipers worked for Clan Chiefs and wore fancy livery, but anyhow pipers have always tended to dress up a bit. Disney (my workplace when I'm not piping) calls it "good show".

I myself can't wear kilts when working at Disney- slacks and necktie are required. And (worst of all) I can't wear a beard.

[Jock Scot]

I think that in Scotland since the 1800's the civilian kilt has always been a luxury item and shouts elitism, even these days although not so much and generally speaking, they still are over here and will be for some time to come. That is why few of us have more than one kilt. The newer and cheaper( as I understand it) kilts found abroad are generally not an option here in Scotland.Why? The mindset for most Scots goes along the line of regarding a proper kilt to be the 8 yard, hand sown, knife pleated kilt to be "the one". As we all know here, as do most Scots, how expensive that sort of kilt can be.

[Schiehallion]

Maybe wear an old faded and highly worn and weathered kilt that may have seen better days? The old friend you just can't throw out? Mind you it takes decades and more of daily wear to have such an item. Quite a problem, but I do get your point.

[Howard Clark]

I would agree with you all so far, that it is in fact a luxury item. I have made a living making luxury items for twenty two years (no one "needs" what I make).

That said, I think this is yet another cultural difference between Scotland and it's traditional, historic, and cultural views, vs. the US and our views of such things. I don't especially want to bash my fellow countrymen (and women) but we can be a bit confused about need and want, and what the difference is sometimes.

So I'd support your logic 100% Jimmy. There are times and places in the US where it is not appropriate for the same reason, though I think the awareness of kilts is in general much less here (at least in Iowa).

[Dukeof Kircaldy]

There are the cheapo viscose kilts out there which take the kilt out of the "elite" wear.

I don't wear a kilt to work because of the dress code in my profession. Instead, I wear a wig and robe. So, go figure!

[Paul]

Well Jimmy, whilst I do understand kilts are usually expensive, some are not. For all the people who you consult know, you could be wearing a £30 bargain off of ebay or a kilt from a charity shop.

I'm sure you could wear a flaunted designer suit to work, which would cost something around what a kilt outfit would.

I wouldnt consider myself elistist at all. Of course, I have several kilts and even more accesories, but people can't value something by looking at it. These kilt packages that are £750 in shops can cost as little as £400 if you look in the right places for different items. I own 7 kilts, and I've bought them all in less than a year - some expensive and some dirt cheap. Even to me that seems almost like too much for a student, but somehow I've managed to afford them!

[andyfg]

The kilt is a luxury. I occasional wear a kilt to teach. Students admire it and sometimes ask how much it would cost to "have one like yours." When I tell them, they always say, "I could not afford that." I agree with Matt. A luxury yes, and thankfully one many of us can afford.

[cessna152towser]

No, I don't consider a kilt a luxury item, it is simply a comfortable article of clothing.
In these modern times of budget priced kilts from Lidl and Gold Brothers etcetera I would not think that the wearing of a kilt nowadays would be seen as a symbol of prosperity.