Looking to purchase a new first time Kilt.

[Terry1948]

I ask for a Mackenzie Modern, not an expensive cloth 8 yr , and they both told me I was looking at 3 to 5 month turn around. Sounds like a lot for a garment that I will wear 2 times.

Larry, did you specify the weight of the tartan? Was it 18 oz, 16 oz, 13 oz, etc? What is your hip measurement, since that is one of the deciding factors in how much yardage you would need? How did you want it pleated? The cost of the fabric can be the biggest outlay. Did the kiltmaker have the fabric on hand, or was he/she going to have it order it in and was it available immediately through the weaver? And honestly, a 3-5 month turn around is not that unusual for a bespoke garment. Remember there may be others ahead of you in the queue. This is different than walking into a department store and buying off the rack. The first time I started looking into having a kilt custom-made, I was also in a bit of sticker shock. But I then started doing some research -- much of it in threads on XMarks -- and I developed a greater appreciation for bespoke. I still only have one kilt, because that is all my budget will permit right now, but I don't feel it was overpriced. I am sorry that you feel you were treated differently.

As for wearing the garment only 2 times...well, how often you wear it is up to you. When I got a kilt for my wedding, I could not see that I would be wearing it much beyond fancy events. But heck, it was my wedding and an outlay of funds was okay for the special day (we spent a lot on her dress!) Since then, I have found more opportunities to wear it, so the cost-per-outing has decreased, and my appreciation of the garment has increased. I am not saying that this would also apply to you, but it has been my experience.

[Terry1948]

You are correct Terry absolutely correct, a product is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it, It does mean the article is actually worth the price, but if someone is willing to go the price, then to them they got a good deal. Ha ha my time here wont be long, I am sure that the people in charge are now working to boot me off, because an outsider dared to challenge the status-quo

All of us were outsiders at some time -- I still am with less posts than you -- and I imagine a lot of people have challenged the status-quo without being booted off. I think you can bring an interesting perspective, and I hope you stick around, but also keep an open mind and listen to the perspectives of others who have been immersed in the "kilt kulture" for longer. You may actually learn something!

[Steve Ashton]

Sir, If you will kindly look at the name under the post from "the gentleman from Freedom Kilts" I think you will notice something interesting.

Also please notice that Freedom Kilts is located in Canada. $887 in Canadian dollars is $994.21 in US Dollars at today's exchange rate. That is less than a 10% difference from the two quotes you got from others.
Did you account for tax and shipping?

If everyone is telling you much the same thing perhaps you should believe that they know what they are talking about.

Instead you say you are being ripped off. And no, you did not imply it, you stated it quite plainly.

If you want a cheap skirt made by your friend Alice then go ahead and buy her skirt. If you want a kilt don't come here and tell us that you know better than some of the most reputable kilt makers in the world.

Even you have stated that you do not know what a kilt is. You asked to learn and have been given the answer to the questions you have asked. Those answers have been honest and upright.

A kilt is not a skirt. The fabric a kilt is made from is not the same. Please go to the website of any Scottish Weaving mill and try to order 4 yards of double-width fabric in 16oz wool. For example Lochcarron will charge you $90.05 USD per yard for the MacKenzie Modern Tartan in their 16oz Strome weight. I know, I just looked it up. That is a total after shipping to MO. of $377.30 USD.
If you don't believe me go and order it yourself.

Then take that fabric to your friend Alice along with a copy of "The Art of Kiltmaking" which is the definitive text on the subject.

Then come back here and call us liars again.

[manavark]

Thank you Terry, but I am in the process of trying to cancel my account or what ever you call it here, but cant find a way to do it. This is not for me, I am not of the inter circle, that I see here.

[sailortats]

I was looking for a real formal attire, Larry

Larry, good quality kilt by itself is neither formal nor informal. It is the accouterments that you wear with it that makes the kilt "formal" or not.
When you were quoted prices of $900. give or take, were you also asking for a "formal" jacket or other accouterments to go along with that kilt? If so, then I can understand that high price. I admit I have been given a quote of a custom woven 16oz 8 yd.tank for $895.00 that hopefully some day I will be able to afford.

[McMurdo]

I ask for a Mackenzie Modern, not an expensive cloth 8 yr , and they both told me I was looking at 3 to 5 month turn around. Sounds like a lot for a garment that I will wear 2 times.

Of course you do have queue lines to contend with though I do agree with you in regards to price $900+ is quite a bit even for a bespoke hand sewn kilt. My most expensive kilt did not cost that much and it is a top notch heirloom garment that will last for generations. I will caution you that you may just have to step out on a limb to get what you are looking for. I notice you said above that it did not matter to you whether it was machine or hand sewn, perhaps you should purchase a lower yardage poly-viscose kilt in Mackenzie Modern to see if kilt wearing is for you. Of course if you really want the 8 yard hand sewn wool kilt it will cost you more and while both the low yard poly and the higher yardage wool will both be kilts they will not be the same.

[manavark]

If you had read my remark correctly, I did not say that Alice was a friend, she is head of a clothing manufacturing company in America. I was visiting there. If you read what I said, I was only quoting what I was told, you people only read what you want. I am not for this site, so do what ever it take to cancel me off this site. I never said I wanted a cheap skirt, a high price one either, I was making inquires about all of it. as I said cancel me off here and your center click can go back to their ways. Larry

[Nathan]

Now you've got your back up and it's unfortunate. The people that the membership have rushed to defend have earned our loyalty and our trust through a long track record of fine work, excellent customer service as well as sharing their knowledge freely here and in blogs and books etc...

The kilt isn't for everyone, that's true. In my opinion, it's certainly not for those who don't respect its traditions and the people that devote their life's work to carrying them on.

If you are happy embracing the 5th Ave. view of formality, then by all means, be happy.

I for one, feel the pull of my roots pretty strongly and this is plenty formal as far as I'm concerned. I wouldn't wear this stuff going fishing.



But like you said, to each his own. I'm not sure what excited you about the kilt in the first place, though. Did you not notice the buckles and animal hides then?

Like I said, I hope you discover a love for the kilt, but hey, if you don't, I hope you found this experience educational. We're a diverse bunch of folks here from several countries with a wide variety of perspectives and opinions. I think if you stick around, you'll find that when we're all singing from the same hymn book, there's likely some truth to it.

Best of luck in whatever path you choose to follow, Larry.

Slainte,

Nathan

[Terry1948]

Thank you Terry, but I am in the process of trying to cancel my account or what ever you call it here, but cant find a way to do it. This is not for me, I am not of the inter circle, that I see here.

Well, hopefully you don't leave. I think you bring a good perspective, but you also have to be willing to listen.

[manavark]

Steve, a kilt is still a wrap pleated skirt, yes made differently, but take a ladies wrap skirt and look at them, they are the same and do the same functions, they cover up what they need to and show the bare legs,, I don't want to argue the point, but if you want to deny it looks like a skirt, that is your privilege. I just got off the phone with Rocky at USA and he quoted me a made kilt made with 16 oz wool from a Scotland mill in the Mackenzie for less than the $377 . But all that doesn't matter any more, because I am done here. Larry