If I can interject- one of the reasons I like modern kilts is that I think they hew more to the actual aspect of kiltwearing- durability, comfort, and everyday wear. I don't think the average guy in Scotland, Wales, or elsewhere would wear a beautiful, handwoven, perfectly pleated and tailored tartan to mind his sheep any more than I think that a dude would dig a trench in a tuxedo! This was a time when shoes didn't have assigned feet so you could wear them out in several places before having to replace them, you know? Not a lot of ordinary people would be able to afford the money or time to weaving a tartan when other materials were more practical and could be used for more than one clothing item.

I'm reasonably sure that most everyday kilts (well, ur-kilts, I'll get to that in a second) were broadcloth or some other easy-wash fabric, after all, there weren't stadium chairs, spray-on stain removers, and paved roads back then, and for that matter, any real tailoring. The very nice pleated and set traditional kilts I see today were probably reserved for those rich enough to employ someone to weave, cut, sew, and maintain the kilts for them- which wouldn't be many. That's reflected today in the price- and well it should be for the material and the care going into the history, but I doubt many of us are actually noblemen. (I know I'm not, anyway- I fail on both counts!)

I'm not saying that traditional kilts aren't handsome, I'm just saying that 'modern' kilts might actually be more traditional than 'traditional' kilts!