A well-made trad kilt is designed to be worn and will last really well if you take care of it. Case in point - our pipe major probably does at least two gigs a weekend in addition to all the band stuff we do all summer. He's had his kilt for about 15 years, and the only sign of age is that the kilt has faded some from exposure to sunlight (a hazard with red tartans). Other than that, the stitching is still good, the pleats still look great, etc. He does take good care of it (i.e., doesn't pack it away damp so that it mildews), and he wears a leather sporran strap instead of chain, which is crucial.

And, as an aside, a 16 oz tank rarely needs pressing if you don't wad the kilt up into a ball.