Where should I buy my next kilt?

[Mr. Woolery]

Okay, we've all seen this same question a hundred times. But this time I'm asking it!

My wife was going to get me a Burnett's and Struth "casual" kilt for my birthday. This was to be from the SALE page with in-stock tartans. I was excited. 16-ounce wool, the tartan I want, everything. But they no longer have all the tartans listed on the site and I want one in particular. That they don't have.

So. I want advice.

Here's what I want to get:

-Dress MacLeod tartan. The bumblebee tartan.
-Wool. Not synthetic. Wool.
-4-yard range (4-meter works, too), not an 8-yarder
-traditional appearance (let's not argue, we all know what I mean by that)
-and the kicker: has to be under $200, if at all possible. We are not rich.

So, any suggestions? If I didn't have my heart set on wool, I'd be talking to USAKilts right now. I'll eventually get one of his casual kilts. But I want a wool one.

Looking forward to any specific suggestions!

-Patrick

[Nick the DSM]

jeez, thats kinda hard considering most wool kilts are over 300. have you tried ebay?

[Nick the DSM]

maybe a celtic croft phillabeg?

[McMurdo]

You might want to look on ebay, sorry to hear Burnett's is out of the Dress MacLeod, but I'm not sure where else you would find a wool kilt for that money.

[Good Egg]

If you are after a casual, why not buy the material and DIY?

[Big Mikey]

Other than an on-line auction, I can't see this happening. Prices for wool yardage are around $50 to $60 on a good day. I would humbly suggest that you weigh what is your heart's desire, a "Loud MacLeod" kilt or a wool kilt. If you must have the Macleod, consider the P/V options. Any makers on this forum will produce a fine garment that will look great and be of the highest quality. If you must have wool, put the $200 away and keep saving towards that goal. I don't think that any of us are "rich" so we do what we must to achieve satisfaction. No matter what your choice, good luck and happy kilting.

[Bugbear]

It sounds like the price is the only true variable here, so I hope you suddenly come across an extra few-hundred dollars, then end up with exactly what you want and no less.

[Mr. Woolery]

It is possible we could push it a bit higher, price-wise, but not by much. Right now, I'm not going to plan on saving the money for a kilt. It is a law of the universe that when I have money in savings for a personal pleasure, some emergency happens that sucks every cent away. If I don't get a kilt with the cash, nothing is going to happen with a kilt at all. Rather pessimistic, I know, but it seems realistic with my current life.

Well, then, if nobody knows of a source for wool Dress MacLeod in that price range, what other options are there under $300? Frankly, if I had the cash, I'd just get another kilt from Higgins. I love the last one he made me. But I'd like one I can feel comfortable wearing around town. I don't like the thought of getting dirt on a $450 garment. I'd rather risk damage to a $175 kilt than one that cost almost three times as much. You understand.

I could go with a plastic fabric. That's only so-so, though. I really don't like synthetics very much. The idea of spending so much on a kilt (yeah, it isn't in the fabric, it is in the labor - I've made a couple of contemporary kilts, so I know this) just sort of bugs me when it is a kilt made of plastic.

Where can I get my tartan should I choose to make my own? Any suggestions based on personal experiences?

Frugal Corner carries Dress MacLeod, so does USAKilts. Any of the folks who order in wool from Scotland can get it.

I was just really hoping someone would say "Oh, yeah, check out XYZ Kilts for a pretty good price on wool kilts in your preferred tartan!"

Thanks anyway!

-Patrick

[Bugbear]

It is possible we could push it a bit higher, price-wise, but not by much. Right now, I'm not going to plan on saving the money for a kilt. It is a law of the universe that when I have money in savings for a personal pleasure, some emergency happens that sucks every cent away. If I don't get a kilt with the cash, nothing is going to happen with a kilt at all. Rather pessimistic, I know, but it seems realistic with my current life.
...

Then you need to cut the deal with the Universe, that the money needs to come in cash all at once. Tell the Universe that that will be when you will buy the kilt. Then go find or define the exact kilt you want, so the ball is in the Universe's court.

[Mr. Woolery]

Um, thanks Ted. I think.

Actually, I thought the universe had come through with a kilt available in my price range. Didn't happen, though. Not exactly sobbing about it, but was hoping y'all would have some clever ideas.

Not giving up hope, though. But I'm not going to be able to spend any $400 plus on a kilt this year. If the money happens in that amount, there are other things that will need it. Price resistance is very real, here.

-Patrick