Quote Originally Posted by DWFII View Post

Once upon a time bespoke, handmade shoes were the only available option. And were, within reason, affordable to all but the poorest. Today bespoke handmade shoes can easily top $1200.00 and many will go in the $5k-$6k range. Yet it is only at that price point that traditional quality...devoid of synthetics, cardboard and expediencies...and anything resembling a true fit, can be had.
The problem I see with that model is this. You are Starting at a stratospheric level in pricing. I've no practical use for shoes at that price. Ive never owned a pair of shoes costing over $150 (excepting some Alligator western boots), forget bespoke shoes. The ones I have owned have served me well, and lasted long. For far less than the numbers you posted. In the same manner, having items at the Average Joe price levels makes them available to a larger crowd. I started with an X-Kilt $22, then I got an Amerikilt $95, and tomorrow I close a deal that will open my way into a USAK semi-trad. If I had to start at a $4-5-600 kilt I wouldn't own a one, I don't go anywhere to justify that money. Really, even $200 on a single clothing item is spendy in my house. I'll likely never own a PC, or Brouges or a big hairy sporran and I aint gonna miss 'em.

I own a Ford F250SD. It's not a Bently or some other hand made Automobile. It works for me. It does what i need it to. And I like it. People will buy what they can afford, esp in this economy. Businesses rise and fall with the markets all the time. It's not the fault or responsibility of people seeking what they see as value. There are fewer craftsmen across the board than there were in the past, and yes, most were simply priced out of business. Been happening more or less since the Industrial Revolution. And the future aint bright for a comeback. Not for most. For the rest it's Adapt or Dodo.

As far as Tradition Vs Orthodoxy, I'm a member of the Traditional "kilt as current clothing" crowd, as opposed to the Historical "kilt defined by narrow slice of Time" crowd. I expect my clothing to mate well with my intended use (every day kicking around) and so do others. Things happening "now" are surely fashions. They may well enter the tradition through continued use over time. Some of the things viewed as Traditional were once blasphemous fads or fashions at their advent. I mean really, everyone didn't suddenly start wearing Jabots and Cuffs out of nowhere, and I'm having trouble seeing a greengrocer at market wearing them. And there are those here who can tell you pretty closely the origin of the PC.