Is it really a deal?

[Nathan]

There is a MacDonald - Lord of the Isles Hunting (blue) tartan kilt available locally that fits me. As the title suggests, I'm trying to determine if it's worth buying.

Here's what I know.

1) The tartan is nice and looks like this:


(image from lindaclifford.com)

I like the tartan. It's a blue version of the green tartan the Clan Donald High Chief and Prince Charles both wear.

2) The kilt is made of 11oz fabric rather than heavy weight cloth.

3) The kilt is 6 yards.

4) The kilt is machine sewn and you can see the top stitching when you inspect the fell closely.

As you may know, I have other kilts in very nice 22, 16, and 13 oz varieties, all of which are hand sewn.

This kilt is on sale for $200 Canadian after taxes.

I'm thinking this seems to be about what it's worth given that it's low yardage and machine sewn but the seller showed me the cloth for sale online and I'd be paying more than the final price of the finished kilt for 6 yards of the stuff. Certainly, as a maker, he didn't pay that for the cloth. That said, is the 50% off deal an actual deal compared to what else is out there? I've never worn a machine sewn kilt in a light weight tartan with low yardage so maybe I'll have buyer's remorse. On the other hand, it's a great fit and a really nice tartan which looks very different from my other kilts, all of which are variations on a theme. Your input is appreciated!

[ShaunMaxwell]

I'd probably pass on that one, as 11 oz. seems kind of lightweight for a kilt. If you 're in the market for a lightweight, low-yardage, top-stitched, machine made kilt, you can likely get one for the same money in a heavier weight from Burnett's & Struth.

Either that or save the money and put it towards another, better kilt in a tartan you love.

That's my take, anyway!

Cheers!

[McMurdo]

I would only go as low as 13 oz. 11 oz seems a bit light to me. Especially when you could get a 16 oz 5-6 yard kilt from B&S for just about the same price.

[Father Bill]

11 oz is skirt weight.

[Nathan]

I expected it to feel much flimsier when I tried it on, but it had good structure to it. It looked nice but what bothered me most was the machine stitching... He claims that nobody weaves this tartan stock in heavy weight.

[CMcG]

All 11oz worsted wool tartan material is not created equal. Some is very light feeling and soft, whereas others are more robust and hold a pleat well. I'm not sure why that is. While 11oz is a more common weight in women's skirts, it is not totally unheard of in a man's kilt.

That is a very nice tartan and different from what you already have. Machine sewn is not preferable, but can look just fine if done well... hopefully nobody will be getting their noses up in your fell to inspect How does it look at a polite social distance?

Value-wise, $200 inclusive is not bad for the sort of kilt you are describing, but not especially amazing either. If that is a rare tartan, then it could add some value to the equation

[Spartan Tartan]

11oz is too light for my taste. It will not feel like what you are used to wearing. I enjoy lower yardage kilts, but not the lighter weight. For the price it could be a good deal, but I would pass it over. Of course, it could be a nice summer weight. I have never wished for a lighter weight kilt, however...and I used to deal with 100+F temps in central Oklahoma for entire summers.