It's all in the "art" and education of tapering. It is BY FAR the most difficult thing to get when making a kilt. If it's off... the kilt won't hang right, will pucker in the apron, will wander in the pleats, and will bunch with any movement. Anyone can make a kilt. It takes education and experience to make the kilt that works.

This has LONG been my beef with kilts these days. Take a GOOD look at a tank, and you'll see what I mean. UtiliKilts and AmeriKilts STILL don't know how to make a proper taper. That's why the things pucker like a baby eating lemons. Bear DOES know how to handle a taper, and has the only kilts that I've seen that can accomodate real hips. Otherwise, you are going to have to get a Scottish Authentic Handsewn kilt... MADE BY TRAINED, EDUCATED, CAREFUL, CRAFTWORTHY, AND AUTHENTIC KILT MAKERS. It does NOT have to be an 8+ yarder... just one that's made by and educated kiltmaker.

You get what you pay for. These highly educated kiltmakers serve YEARS in apprenticeships to get to where they are. If you haven't had the opportunity to read the posts from myself and Hamish about the kiltmakers... take the time to browse-back.

It's worth the reading to understand what we're talking about in "educated kiltmakers". It is NOT a cut on any other kilt makers... just a distinction that the ones who have devoted YEARS to the craft, are WELL worth the extra dollars for quality.