Quality or quantity.....?

[Blu (Ontario)]

We all have a healthy passion for kilts.

And whether your preference is for traditional kilts or variants, there's no denying that a kilt custom made just for you is a real joy to wear. There is also no denying the success that mass produced kilts have started to enjoy over the past several years. For good reason, quality custom kilts cost more than the mass produced imports. On the other hand, the imports make buying in quantity more affordable. The question is.... which is more preferable to you?

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[GTRMAN]

We all have a healthy passion for kilts.

And whether your preference is for traditional kilts or variants, there's no denying that a kilt custom made just for you is a real joy to wear. There is also no denying the success that mass produced kilts have started to enjoy over the past several years. For good reason, quality custom kilts cost more than the mass produced imports. On the other hand, the imports make buying in quantity more affordable. The question is.... which is more preferable to you?

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With brands like Stillwater and Utilikilts you can have the best of both worlds!!! I'd rather be practical in buying such brands as these than to pay outrageous sums for Custom hand-made kilts..

[switchblade5984]

With brands like Stillwater and Utilikilts you can have the best of both worlds!!! I'd rather be practical in buying such brands as these than to pay outrageous sums for Custom hand-made kilts..

im going to have to agree!

[Robin]

....than to pay outrageous sums for Custom hand-made kilts..

I don't think a custom handmade kilt is "outrageous" I highly appreciate the craftmanship, the quality of the used materials and the final result.
Yes, they're expensive, but worth every penny. I'm not rich, but I'm willing to wait and save my pocket money for those real beauties.

Quality over quantity for me

[Pour1Malt]

nothin compares tae a Scottish hand made kilt...

worth e'ery penny!

[arrogcow]

I don't think a custom handmade kilt is "outrageous" I highly appreciate the craftmanship, the quality of the used materials and the final result.
Yes, they're expensive, but worth every penny. I'm not rich, but I'm willing to wait and save my pocket money for those real beauties.

Quality over quantity for me

The actual manufacturing cost is not outrageous, but the raw materials are. Most tartan fabric used in kilts cost (retail) about $60-70 a yard. While I realize that kilt makers can probably get it is cheaper lots, it is still a hefty part of the finished kilt. Most other fabrics can be bought for under $10 a yard (and twil, denim for under $5.00 at times). Small lots of tartan or not, there really is no good reason for the cost of the fabric.

As for my answer to the poll, I wear mostly off the rack (i.e. not custom, but still all my kilts have been very well made, not just junk), and that was the way I was before kilts as well. I have a couple of custom made kilts (tartan) that are for nice occasions, just like I had a good suit before. Daily wear, I wear a UK or SWK, just like I used to wear jeans or khakis before. I'm still happy with the construction of the UK and SWK, but they don't "fit like a glove".

Adam

[gilmore]

The actual manufacturing cost is not outrageous, but the raw materials are. Most tartan fabric used in kilts cost (retail) about $60-70 a yard. While I realize that kilt makers can probably get it is cheaper lots, it is still a hefty part of the finished kilt. Most other fabrics can be bought for under $10 a yard (and twil, denim for under $5.00 at times). Small lots of tartan or not, there really is no good reason for the cost of the fabric.

Adam

My understanding is that there are only 5 or so sources for quality 13 to 16 ounce, 100% wool woven in the various tartans and with proper kilting selvedge. This could account for their inflated prices. If kilts, or other things made of quality tartan wool, became popular enough to warrant manufacturing larger quantities of good quality cloth in 3rd world countries at a fraction of the cost, I would not be sad if the Scottish mills went out of business.

[macwilkin]

With brands like Stillwater and Utilikilts you can have the best of both worlds!!! I'd rather be practical in buying such brands as these than to pay outrageous sums for Custom hand-made kilts..

Of course, one can argue that a custom hand-made kilt is a very practical descision, as it will outlast any of the mass-produced ones and can be passed along as a family heirloom. Any really, in the grand scheme of things, such a garment is well worth the cost, especially in today's "thow-away" society.

I'm a quality man myself...my frugal Scots grandmother raised me to be that way! :mrgreen:

horses for courses, though...I'm not begrudging anyone who chooses the other alternative -- I can only speak for myself...

Regards,

Todd

[Panache]

With brands like Stillwater and Utilikilts you can have the best of both worlds!!!...

Good sentiments! I absolutely love my one custom kilt from Matt Newsome. If I ever win the lottery I fully intend to keep Matt busy for several years making more kilts for me*. Sadly I have not won the lottery yet (sorry Matt ) Stillwater represents quality and value, I certainly don't think of their products as "cheap". My two Stillwater kilts are handsome, well made, and sturdy garments. Are either my standard or heavyweight as nice as my 5 yard knife pleat from Matt Newsome? Nope. That one fits me like a glove, the colors are rich and wool has this wonderful weight and swing to it. It's a real beauty and it is the single nicest piece of clothing I own. But I can wear my SWK acrylic standard kilt out places I would fear to take my beautiful 16 oz. wool one. I think having both gives one options. I will also say if I hadn't bought my Stillwaters I doubt I would have ever thought to pony up the money for a custom made kilt. I would love another custom kilt. I will save my pennies for it. But, when my wife asked me what I wanted for Christmas, I said "Stillwater".

I have one cheap import wool kilt. It was a waste of money and looked wretched after less than a year of use. But Stillwater doesn't deserve to be lumped in with the other import kilts. By the by, I also have this feeling that my one Utilikilt will outlast every other item of clothing in my closet. It's pretty sturdy!

Cheers



* I also want an Allard and an AC Cobra

[Blu (Ontario)]

With brands like Stillwater and Utilikilts you can have the best of both worlds!!!

Gotta disagree.....

I have to admit that, at a unit cost of $12 to $15 before markup, the mass produced kilts are undoubtedly attractive to the bottom line conscious consumer. And they certainly offer the opportunity to fill your wardrobe.... But do they belong to both worlds..... I don't think so.

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