Why do they cost so much? -the annual rant.

[MikeS]

Let's all be careful that this conversation doesn't get too economically politicized, eh? That's a good way to get a thread shut down MDQ.

While I might agree with some sentiments regarding "buy USA" or whatever, let's keep the conversation KILT-related, and I'm sure that it will be fine.

My previous post wasn't meant as a political statement or "buy American". I was try to point out (in a rather vauge way) that no matter what you think YOUR rock bottom, absolute minimum price to make a kilt, shoe, widget or whatever, there is someone else that will come along and undercut you. Usually it is the wages of the workers that suffer and eventually nobody is getting a living wage. Quality suffers too as pressure to continue lowering the prices exists.

I don't have a problem with a $60 kilt made in Pakistan, but don't compare it to a $500 kilt made in the US or Scotland. The person making it probably made pennies an hour and its poorly made (comparatively speaking).

BTW..I'm making kilts too. Send me $5 and a copy of your local newpaper. If your a big guy make it the Sunday edition.

[bonnie heather]

Thank you, Alan, for explaining this so well and so passionately. And Paul, thanks for your kind words.

We kiltmakers put a great deal of time, skill, care, attention to detail, and heart into making kilts. It's not the most practical or lucrative of professions. But hand sewing kilts is something I'm proud of, because it's creating something useful and beautiful. Also it's carrying on the heritage of an ancient land and keeping alive a traditional craft that could eventually become a lost art.

I'm very thankful that there are people who understand and appreciate the value of kilts.

[lukeyrobertson]

I think it's a real dance to figure out how to step around what the buyer can afford (what the market will bear) and how to make a living. For me when I consider the artisanry that goes into creating an 8 yd or 4 yard, or whatever handsewn or handsewen/machine sewn kilt, I can totally appreciate the cost when one adds such things as hourly wage, expertise/craftmanshsip, overhead, business costs, and materials. It takes a sharp mind to put all of that into a quality kilt. Plus add the consideration that these are custom garments made to measure. This is not an industry that can in any way be compared to mass-produced garments. Generally speaking I'm noticing that most kiltmakers are small busineses, even cottage industries that pride themselves on personal service, high-quality and hand-crafted garments. I'm wiling to pay for that and invest in the people who are passionate about this long-practiced art. I have three kilts and one on the way that are each made by individuals that make a good part or all of their living from this work. Each person is unique to their craft. Just getting to know these people is an absolute pleasure. The conversations about "hand", cloth, history, tradition, modern interpretation, and on and on has been well worth each investment. So there, that's my little rant for the day.

[GoodGirlGonePlaid]

Since I'm ranting, I might as well get my other annual rant off my chest.



It's polyester-VISCOSE

not viscous
not vicious
not visqueen

VISCOSE.

V-I-S-C-O-S-E

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viscose

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-viscose.htm

We now return you to your regular programming.

LOL, I'm soooo calling them Poly Vishous now *note to self, if ever in a rock band, stage name will be "Polly Vishous"*

yes, I'm spelling vicious phonetically to be extra annoying.

It's nice that the ladies mini-kilts are in the $160 ish range. I can get four for the price of one men's. So I did.