Surprises inside a custom Scottish-made kilt

[The Wizard of BC]

There are some details about this kilt that I learned from the owner, and from the kilt itself, that I would like to pass on.

We hear almost every day about how stuff made, 'back then', was better than stuff is made today. Some point to the Tartan Tat explosion in Scotland as an example.
We also hear how bespoke, high end shops, produce better goods.

I strongly suspect (and it is also my personal opinion) that this is not the product of cutting corners or of having to keep up with the competition. To me this is the product of an industry operating without any competition.

This kilt was made 11 years ago. I suspect that this was the state of bespoke kiltmaking at that time. Unlike the four other kilts I have examined from similar Scottish bespoke shops where it is plain that they are trying to keep costs down to compete with Tartan Tat.

When the customer walked into the shop the Kiltmaker was called from the back to come out and measure him in person. This was not a large scale 'factory' situation but a high end shop with sales people out front and kiltmakers on staff, full time, in the back.

The kiltmaker was reputed to be the head kiltmaker for the shop and fully trained but I do not know where or by whom.

I was told that this kilt cost just less than £745.00 GBP at the time. The Glasgow Rangers Tartan was an, in stock, off the shelf, fabric for this shop. This did include shipping from Scotland to Victoria, Canada.
This kilt was sold as part of a 'package'. I have not seen the other items but was told the package included a Prince Charlie Coatee, Tux shirt and bow-tie. Dirk Belt and Waistplate with Clan Crest, Dress Seal Sporran, Clan Crest Kilt pin, Pure white Hose and Red flashes, and finally Ghillie Brogue shoes. I was told that the cost for the entire package was just over £1600.00.
It is possible that this is an example of the notorious "Tourist price for a Tourist package".

The fabric was woven on a single width loom and has 'floats' at the selvedge 1/4" long.

This kilt has been worn, on average, three times a year since it was purchased. It has not been able to be worn for the past two years due to a weight loss.

This kilt is worn 'Regimental'. The proof is permanently there inside the inner apron.

[Calgacus]

Ouch!!

That price is far higher than any I have ever seen in Scotland, even at today's prices, never mind 11 years ago.
How does that price compare with the maker's current prices? I assume that if they are a well known maker still in existence then they have a website with prices?

I understand your reluctance to name the maker, but this instance really smacks of the worst sort of practise by the maker, poor quality goods at grossly over-inflated prices, and what looks like a deliberate attempt to fleece an unsuspecting tourist. I, for one, would like to be told who the maker was (even by PM), if only so I can avoid them in future.

[Father Bill]

Ah yes... but if this was eleven years ago, it may not say much about that particular merchant today. New staff, new arrangements are likely over that period of time.

[RockyR]

I may hazard a guess that most of the kilts are made in cottage industry fashion in that it is possible the sales company is not even aware that the kiltmakers themselves are doing a poor job. It certainly would benefit the company that desires to protect their reputation to be notified of such shoddy workmanship and given the opportunity to make it right. The only way that they can fix the problem is to be aware of the problem. Then, given this opportunity, they (the company) can eliminate the need to warn possible future customers of their lack of good customer service and ethics. It's possible, although unthinkable, that the next customer may not be a member of this forum (lord help them).

That being said, should it fall on a competitor (in this case Steve) to teach the original company how to make a kilt in the first place?

[The Wizard of BC]

Guys, guys, Hold on a moment. I think some of you are missing the point of this thread entirely.

This is not an attempt to 'out' somebody. I'm not pointing fingers or making this personal.

I'm certainly not trying to uncover some nefarious dealings.

Those is not the points you should be taking from this thread.

Here is what I'm trying to say (perhaps I worded this wrong or did not explain myself well)

I am trying to show that it is fairly easy to tell if a new kilt is made well or if an older kilt needs some repair.
Both of these will show the same or similar symptoms.
I'm trying to show what those symptoms are, so you can identify them for yourself.
And I'm trying to show what some of the underlying problems may be if you notice the symptoms.

Guys, a kilt came into my shop and the customer is very proud of his kilt. He is very proud that he bought a custom made kilt while he was in Scotland. He loves the Tartan and feels it is unique and meaningful to him. He had lost some weight and we both thought at first that moving straps and buckles would give him a kilt that he could wear again, for a reasonable cost.

It took less than two minutes with the kilt on my table to tell that something was wrong. I did not know at first if, perhaps some stitching had failed, (this kilt is 11 years old) or if a previous repair had been done by someone other than a kiltmaker. (There has been at least one alteration attempt) It could have been anything. What I found was a big surprise. I really did not expect it.

This customer is still very proud of his kilt. He will wear it well and respectfully. It is just going to cost him a lot more to get to wear it again than he first thought.

And that, and that alone, is the real shame here.

[Pleater]

It is a pig's ear of a kilt - but we'll get to see it beautifully remade, no harm done.

The maker might be flipping burgers or they might have become an expert tailor, sending a lynch mob after them isn't going to do any good now.

I'm sure the owner will wear it with pride when it is done, which is the be all and end all of the project.

And - if you never made a mistake, you probably never made anything much at all.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[tpa]

I am trying to show that it is fairly easy to tell if a new kilt is made well or if an older kilt needs some repair.
Both of these will show the same or similar symptoms.
I'm trying to show what those symptoms are, so you can identify them for yourself.
And I'm trying to show what some of the underlying problems may be if you notice the symptoms.

Thank you, Steve, for the education.

[okiwen]

I don't believe that is what I said. I believe that the CUSTOMER, now educated of the problem should go to the supplier and inform them of the workmanship. Then, if no solution is agreed upon they should have the opportunity to report the result of either good customer service or bad business practice. It just so happens that in this case, the owner of a competing business also happens to be the owner of the Xmarks site. Probably not the person to do the reporting, but again, the customer should report.

Seems fair all the way around.

As I continue to read....

I personally appreciate the education from the dissection of the kilt. That is actually very good,and I found great interest. The following post was "no harm done", that is absolutely wrong. The customer was taken advantage of and did not receive the quality that was expected or paid for. Yes, the kilt can be repaired and brought up to the standard that was to have been in the very first place. Why should the offending company receive a pass when instead an opportunity is in order. Again, a business of good report would welcome the opportunity to set things straight.

[tulloch]

It is good we learn these things here. It makes us better consumers. Pity to think that there may be people out there who, correctly, think that kilts are not good garments when they have purchased one of these top-of-the-line garments and find problems with it. If I were the kilt maker and this person informed me of the problem even 11 years later I would want to protect my reputation and take care of making it right.

[Pleater]

Given the output of kilt makers selling to travellers, the possible low number of wearings of such kilts, the probably low number of those kilts being taken to be altered and examined - there could be an awful lot of kilts out there which are in the same unsupported condition.

It has taken a fair number of years for this one to be revealed, many more may lurk unknown in wardrobes worldwide.

Anne the Pleater :ootd: