I've gotten into this one late, so please allow me to respond to Scotus directly (as well as others)

I agree that people should save up to buy a nice kilt. Nicer kilts last longer and look... well... nicer. Heck, on our site under the 'questions to ask yourself' page, we ask people to think about it hard and long and buy the nicest kilt they can afford. I really do appreciate my 8 yard wool kilts more than my Semi Trads. THAT BEING SAID, I disagree with this statement:

Quote Originally Posted by Scotus View Post
They claim that buying cheaper kilts will get them enthused about buying a traditional kilt later on.
As one of the VERY FEW companies that market to the low priced kilt market AND the high priced kilt market, I can give first hand observations that very few can give. Are there those just wanting a 'cheap kilt', never to buy another? You bet. However, there are MANY customers we've had over the years who have started out with a casual kilt ($100 ish) and moved up the ladder to nicer and nicer kilts, ending up with 8 yard wool kilts. MANY people have said to me something to this effect: "If I wouldn't have bought that first Casual, I would have never known how much I enjoy wearing kilts and ended up buying an 8 Yard Wool".

Does EVERY customer who buys a casual move up the ladder to a nicer kilt? No. Do a higher percentage than most people think do it? Yes.

Heck... Using MYSELF as an example. I bought 2 very low priced kilts 5 years ago (1 contemporary and 1 tartan). They got me hooked enough to start making them and marketing them... then practice made me better at what I do. Now I own several DOZEN kilts, most of them tanks... and a kilt company.

The other point I'd like to raise is one that's not 100% 'on topic' in the Traditional forum, but I'll raise it anyway. Less expensive kilts have their place as do 8 yarders. If I wanted to change my truck's oil, I wouldn't do so in a 'tank', but I WOULD do it in a UK Workmans. Different tools for different jobs.

Would you wear a 'tux' to cut grass? Would you wear Jeans to a black tie affair?

Again, I agree that nice kilts SHOULD be an investment and people SHOULD try to own at least one in their lifetime. That being said, other 'models' have their place as well.