Just the other day I had a conversation with a potential new member to the Scottish Club I started. He doesn't yet own a kilt and had many questions for me because he had seen a pipe band in solid color kilts.

I very quickly began to explain how a kilt is a garment that is going through an evolutionary process and in a sense always has. If it was only ever one style, we would all still only be wearing "belted plaides." I explained to him there are kilts made of canvas, denim, poly-blends, leather, and of course wool. I told him all about solid color and tartan style kilts; machine stitched and hand sewn. I told him if he was on a budget he could buy something under or around $100 and it would be OK. I then him if he wants a nicer made to measure, to expect to pay anywhere from about $350-$700. Again, telling him that certain material weights and tartans are more expensive than others.

In defense of lesser expensive kilts:

Here in Florida it is very humid and hot.

I've worn my 16oz 4yard box pleat by Newsome several times lately.. It was way too hot. I was very glad that it was only 4yards and not 8. It's almost a necessity to own a couple of lesser weight and quality fabric kilts in certain places just to be able to tolerate the temperatures.

I understand the need to protect the reputation of a Scottish made Kilt. Honestly, I don't think anyone really needs to worry about it. Believe me , the average idiot that one bumps into knows about the quality of a Scottish made Kilt. I can't tell you how many times someone has asked me, "Is that a authentic Scottish made Kilt?"

There is no way to really regulate what people wear and call a kilt. It will also be very difficult to regulate what people sell as kilts. As long as there is a market for a kilt of any degree of quality.. someone is going to make it, package it, and sell it. Besides, there are just too many people who can not afford to purchase a Scottish made kilt. To deny certain persons the experience of wearing a kilt, because the only kilts available are $500 and up, just isn't fair.