Thanks to the more economical kilts, there has been a considerable increase in the number of kilt wearers everywhere.
We on this forum are all evangelists for kilt wearing, how often does some member post, saying he had spotted a kiltie here or there, we all seem to be delighted when we spot a fellow kiltie.
Everytime I go to a pipe band competition, I marvel at the different tartans and the quality of the kilts worn, there is no substitute for a good quality made kilt, it looks far superior, more dressy and always good on its wearer.
having said this, you then might think it strange that I am also an advocate and evangelist for the cheaper, less dressy version.
I have several good quality kilts and several cheaper versions and having the less costly version allows me to be more kilted more often. Last week I stated on X-MARKS that I felt like wearing my kilt to the pub last Friday in the west end of Glasgow, I just wanted to be kilted and this feeling of wanting to be kilted overcomes me every now and then. (it is probably in common with many forum members.)

So it was a cheaper version worn at the pub, how often does anyone go into a busy pub wearing their Sunday best, I wanted to be kilted, had that burning desire to wear my kilt but I certainly would have resisted this desire if the only kilt I owned cost several hundred pounds.

At the end of the month I am going over to Dublin to watch the national Scottish football team play the Republic of Ireland at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin will probably be awash with the Tartan Army, most of them in some sort of kilt, but very few in a costly kilt (note - Its worth seeing the Tartan Army at away matches, you can ask yourself when is a kilt not a kilt? Any piece of tartan seems to suffice wrapped around the waist - Granny's old tartan shawl is good enough on army duty abroad although there are plenty of proper kilts worn. If we want to look at trendsetters and the avant -garde lobby of the diaspora of kilt wearing, then the Tartan Army is certainly a great barometer and you know what, most of them look great in their ad hoc kilted outfits)
Nevertheless, I am undecided about whether I should wear a good quality kilt or a less pricey one, its not just for the football match but I will be staying at a nice hotel, visiting some nice restaurnts over the 3 days so I want to be reasonably dressed and do not want to bring a second kilt and certainly will not be unkilted
I have rambled on a bit but hopefully you can see that there is a place for less costly kilts, I understand the problems that the traditional kilt makers have and sympathise with them and even though I have subscribed to cheaper versions, I can see clearly the market stall mentality of these vendors