While I certainly don't consider myself, (nor does anyone else I'm sure,) an expert in these matters, my opinion varies I think from what I have read so far in this thread and I hope may be of some use to those wrestling with what to purchase.

Ideal items 1 through 9: Buy it from Matt.
Ideal item 10: Listen to Matt.

This is pretty easy, except when it comes to paying for it. I'm not saying it's overpriced, I'm certain that it is not, but for many it may be out of reach. That's okay, that's why there is a second part to this.

Budget

1. Kilt - Machine sewn, 8 yard, 16 oz. wool in what ever tartan or non-tartan suits your fancy. This may still be the most expensive part of your kit, but can be had for as little as $130.00 to $350.00 Only the experts can tell a handsewn kilt from a machine sewn kilt, so don't go near them, (the experts.) They're probably not as much fun at parties anyway.

2. Shoes-day wear - Anything but flip-flops unless you are at the beach in which case that 8 yd 16 oz kilt is going to be too warm anyway. Just be sure to match your leathers, i.e. shoes, belt, and sporran.

3. Shoes-evening - Good dress shoes, preferably lace-up, but the best you have. Again match your leathers. Black is preferable for evening wear. No need to buy special shoes, most of the ones they sell for uber-formal wear look silly and you wouldn't wear them with anything else anyway.

4. & 5. Hose: Get the best you can afford, but expect to pay $15.00 to $20.00 for hose that are thick enough to not let the color of your pasty white legs show through. Anything costing less will probably not do this unless your legs are twigs or not pasty white. Try to pick a color that matches one of the colors in your kilt.

6. Sporran - day wear- This is tough, there are a lot of cheap sporrans out there and most of them look about the same. My recommendation is to find someone who can work with leather, get a very simple handmade sporran, Rob Roy style is fine, and dress it up with some antler tips or a clan badge to personalize it.

7. Sporran - evening wear - I would recommend something in the semi-formal arena. This provides the most flexibility. Still, this can cost as much as your machine sewn kilt. Again, black is better for evening wear. You could go with a black semi-formal and only buy one sporran and use it as day wear as well. Watch e-bay for bargains and be patient. There are handmade sporrans of considerable quality on e-bay from time to time. Just don't bid against me. Don't worry about the uber-formal stuff unless you have a specific event in the near future. Even then, wear what you can afford and wear it proudly. Chances are that you'll be the only kilted person there anyway, (unless it's a Burns Supper,) so most people will be fascinated by the whole get-up and will know considerably less about it than you do.

8. & 9. Jacket / Waistcoat. Unless you are going to go kilted to every event for the rest of your life, (some members of this forum do and more power to them,) you can probably get away with one black Argyle Jacket and waistcoat. Again, you can find good quality new items on e-bay and spend considerably less than what many of the on-line and brick and mortar shops want for theirs. If you wear the waistcoat, you can save money by not buying a black belt, (if your daywear belt is brown.)

10. General advice: Don't be intimidated by those that have 27 kilts, 8 tweed jackets, 2 PCs and a doublet. Highland attire is fun, but what's the point in spending thousands of dollars on clothes that you will not wear all that often. The point is to buy the best you can afford, and be comfortable with it. You can always upgrade over time.