Traditionals: Cost and Quality

[Jimmy Carbomb]

Here's the situation:

I have a hand-sewn Edgar of Scotland kilt from Edinburgh. It's in a 16 ounce Irish National Tartan wool, with pleats that are 1/2" wide and 4" deep. The thing is lined with the softest material, and the pleats are tacked all the way across it. When on... there's absolutely NO pleats going here or there, over or under, forward or backward. There are too many of the cheap ones that will do that. Over all, the thing is a "tank". It is what I consider my ultimate, perfect kilt.

Here's the question:

With the horrid exchange rate now, the thing cost me about $500 US dollars. Would you pay that sort of fundage for your "perfect kilt"? If you know... what would be YOUR perfect kilt?

[Miah]

My Perfect kilt would be allot like that but a USMC Tartan
but there is little to no chance I would pay 500 dollars.
not matter how awsome a kilt is and how much i like it. I just don't have that kind of cash to justify spending 500 on a item of clothing. 250 or so is pushing it but 500 is out of the queston right now. Maybe oneday when i get the cash flow I will be able to do it, but even then I think I would always see 500 as way to much to spend on 1 item of clothing. If it is 500 dollars i better be able to put keys in it and crank it up and drive it to work and hell maybe get a hander for it for that price.

[Aaron]

Like Miah, I can't see spending that much money on a peice of clothing. Even for my "perfect kilt" which would be a traditional Welsh National (St. David's) tartan, $500 is just out of the question. I think my only hope to get it would be to buy the yardage and make it myself, which unfortunately lends to other problems. I can sew, but I'm nowhere near the skill level of the likes of Bubba, or Bear, or just about anybody else. To even invest in the yardage would be over $250, and then to not do it right, well, I just can't see it. But I can still dream.

[Kilted_John]

Here's the situation:

I have a hand-sewn Edgar of Scotland kilt from Edinburgh. It's in a 16 ounce Irish National Tartan wool, with pleats that are 1/2" wide and 4" deep. The thing is lined with the softest material, and the pleats are tacked all the way across it. When on... there's absolutely NO pleats going here or there, over or under, forward or backward. There are too many of the cheap ones that will do that. Over all, the thing is a "tank". It is what I consider my ultimate, perfect kilt.

Here's the question:

With the horrid exchange rate now, the thing cost me about $500 US dollars. Would you pay that sort of fundage for your "perfect kilt"? If you know... what would be YOUR perfect kilt?

(B)

My perfect kilt is my 18 oz. MacKenzie Modern kilt from House of Edgar, which, yes, cost $490.00 when all was said and done. 9 yards of wool... Wears like iron...
-J

[Xcop]

I have a 16oz Candian Centennial 8 yard kilt from Burnett and Struths in Ontario. It is wonderful to wear, nothing that I have worn yet compares. It was very reasonable (355.00 CDN) on sale. Right now I do not have the disposable funds for a $500.00 kilt, but honestly I have no problem paying the price for something of quality that I want. I have taken Bubbas advice, and have enrolled in a sewing class. I have one project to finish, and then my skills should be good enough to tackle a kilt. I think that I will do a solid colored wool. I will be using one of the commercially available patterns. I'm really looking forward to it.

David

[macwilkin]

My "perfect" kilt would come from:

1. Kinloch Anderson
2. Hector Russell (Scotland or Canada)
3. Burnett & Struth

My current Cumming/Buchan Hunting (Ancient) kilt is from Hector-Russell, and like Jimmy's, it is a "tank" compared to the two I owned from J. Higgins (great "starter" kilts for the price).

Would I pay it again -- YES, YES, YES. A kilt, a good quality kilt, is an investment -- and you want to get the BEST kilt you can for your money. The true definition of being "frugal" is not having a lot of stuff, but what you do have is best you can buy so it will last a long time.

A well-built traditional kilt can also become an heirloom to pass down to future generations.

Cheers !

T.

[phil h]

Here's the situation:

I have a hand-sewn Edgar of Scotland kilt from Edinburgh. It's in a 16 ounce Irish National Tartan wool, with pleats that are 1/2" wide and 4" deep. The thing is lined with the softest material, and the pleats are tacked all the way across it. When on... there's absolutely NO pleats going here or there, over or under, forward or backward. There are too many of the cheap ones that will do that. Over all, the thing is a "tank". It is what I consider my ultimate, perfect kilt.

Here's the question:

With the horrid exchange rate now, the thing cost me about $500 US dollars. Would you pay that sort of fundage for your "perfect kilt"? If you know... what would be YOUR perfect kilt?

yes I would, if it's that good and you like it that much, why not?
$500 us is like $750 cdn
I have not decided what my perfect kilt would be yet.
but I did spend a ton or two on my leather R kilt.

[richardljohnson]

Good question. Damn Jimmy, your making me think!

Yes, Money is relative. I know a lawyer that drops $500-600 a time for a business suit on a regular basis. I myself, would have to think SERIOUSLY before spending that amount BUT I would if it fit what I wanted.

But don't tell my wife!

RLJ-

[bubba]

I will be using one of the commercially available patterns. I'm really looking forward to it.

David

The pattern set from www.folkwear.com is the best I've seen as far as instructions for a kilt. It's listed under the Old Europe catagory on their site.

[Casey]

Jimmy,

I think that you got value for your US$.

For me, as I have no need for the "perfect" kilt, I can not justify spending the equivalent CDN$.

Casey