Cost!

[James]

I often read comments regarding the cost of a kilt-rightly so because a traditional kilt is expensive to buy.

Too as a pensioner I do have to think carefully before buying a new one: well spending any money.

Having said that, they last so well in respect of standing up to the rigours of day to day wear, weather and all the other things that can happen to a kilt: that in the end they are in fact very cheap.

To illustrate what I mean-wilst the kilt goes on and on: such things as socks, shirts and the like have to be replaced time and time again. By the same token a pair of trousers getting the same wear as I'd expect from a kilt will last about a year/eighteen months: but again the kilt goes on and on.

So whilst I do have more kilts than I really need: compared to the rest of my clothing, they work out at the cheapest over a period of time.

So to misquote horribly 'a kilt is for life'.

James

[LordDamax]

That and the fact a kilt never goes out of style. In highschool I went to a "70's party" where we all dressed up and I borrowed some of my dad's old stuff he still had lying around. Sure those pants and that shirt/jacket held up nicely for 20 years or so, but good GOD I wouldnt be caught dead wearing that polyester stuff now

So although a kilt from 1970 would hold up, it'd still look good too

[Blu (Ontario)]

... they last so well in respect of standing up to the rigours of day to day wear, weather and all the other things that can happen to a kilt: that in the end they are in fact very cheap... compared to the rest of my clothing, they work out at the cheapest over a period of time. James

Very true, however...

As a traditionalist, I find the ever increasing cost of these garments troubling. Since I bought my first heavyweight kilt, the replacement price tag has risen nearly 20% and, no doubt, justifiably so. Practically speaking, the 8yd / 16oz kilt is now easily beyond the reach of many people. Now that better made and quite respectable alternatives are coming onto the market, puting that expensive traditional on the road daily is no longer necessary.

I'm a traditionalist but also a pragmatist and openly admit that over the past year or so, I've softened my views on modern kilts. In fact, I see a couple of them as possible future aquisitions. Yes, traditionals can take the punishment but, despite the per diem, I've been getting the urge to step out from behind the tartan shield and get a bit more adventurous.

YEEE-HAAAAHHH!!!

blu

[Alan H]

The less expensive alternatives also give guys who aren't quite so sure about all this kilt stuff, a way to try it out without taking out a second mortgage.

A traditional 8-yard wool tank costs anywhere from $350-$600. I, as a newbie kiltwearer, was just NOT going to drop that kind of money on an article of clothing that I might decide I don't really like all that much. I am, NOW, going to do that, but up front, forget it. If I hadn't had access to a $75 Stillwater kilt and a $110 USA Kilt, I'd never have gotten into it, at all.

Here, look at it this way, me mate Phil MacFarlane is getting hitched here, shortly. A number of his macFarlane family are showing up to the wedding in kilts. I'm going with my Bear kilt MacNaughton (assuming Bear makes it in time). Is Phil getting married in a kilt?

No....... Why?

I asked him. He said because he just couldn't see dropping that much money on an item that he didn't know if he'd ever wear again. So instead of kilt, Phil is getting a tartan vest made in one of the MacFarlane tartans. That's a very nice thing, but C'mon. Phil oughtta be kilted for this event.

Here's a guy who KNOWS he's a MacFarlane, has a big event ready-to-go that is perfect for a kilt, but yet isn't getting a kilt for the occasion because the expense is just too much money. If Phil had gotten a budget kilt and tried it out for a while and realized that in fact it's a great thing to wear, maybe he'd have sprung for the traditional kilt. But the "entry fee" in his perception, is just too high.

How many guys are in this situation? I know I was.

[arrogcow]

I was. I spent years trying to find an affordable kilt. Finally I got somewhat lucky. I bought an ex-hire (but never worn) from Thomas Gordon in Glasgow. I paid under $300 for it. I kind of felt the same way about Utilikilts (seemed a lot of money for something I would only wear occasionally), but I decided to bo for it. As I type I an wearing he first UK I bought (almost 4 years ago). And it still looks in better condition that any pair of jeans I ever had longer than six months.

[davedove]

The high cost is also why so many people only own one kilt and only wear it for special occasions. They feel it's too risky to chance something happening to such an expensive garment.

[Andrew Breecher]

I hiked 2,174 miles last year. The clothing I went through:

6 pairs of socks
2 pairs of gaiters
4 pairs of shoes
3 shirts

All of the above were thrown out because they were all so worn out. Unuseable. However, my kilt is still in such good condition that I continue to wear it around town as a clean, neat, kilt. I plan on wearing it for another two long hikes, putting a total of 8,000 miles on it. I have no doubts it will stand up to the abuse of snow, rain, deserts, mountains, and river fords, just as it already has. The only spot of wear on it is on one belt loop in the rear. A kilt is a good investment.

Andrew.