Quality or quantity.....?

**Monkey@Arms** · 13th November 06, 11:11 AM

If I had the disposable income, well sure I'd buy nothing but customs (and have lots of great toys too). That said, it was the price of customs that kept me kiltless for lo these many years. I am grateful for the emergence of companies like UK and SWK that have allowed guys like me to experience the joys of kilt wearing without busting the bank.

Blu, while I enjoy your poll's your choice of answers pose somewhat of a dilemma, as not all "budget" kilts are imports, and frankly not everyone thinks paying $120 for a UK, or $80 for a Standard SWK = Cheap.

Best regards,

Jake

**Blu (Ontario)** · 13th November 06, 12:29 PM

Originally Posted by Monkey@Arms

.... and frankly not everyone thinks paying $120 for a UK, or $80 for a Standard SWK = Cheap.....

I agree.... and not everyone has the same circumstances within which to operate and that's why I've not mentioned $ value in the original post.

And while cheap kilts have allowed those on a budget to enjoy the experience, there are also those who would prefer to own 5 or 10 mass produced over two or three custom. And if that adds to their enjoyment of it then hey.... that's great.

Regardless, I think it's interesting to see the various choices displayed in a bar chart, though.

**David White** · 13th November 06, 12:35 PM

Not being a rich man, I've literally saved the change from my pockets to buy two traditional box-pleated kilts.
One from Wanda McSwain and the other from Matt (which should be completed very soon).
I also have the casual Buchanan from Rocky on the way.
I would buy SW if the length were right for me.

Somehow, not having tons of money makes me very deliberate in my purchases, rarely do I make an impulse buy

**O'Neille** · 13th November 06, 12:45 PM

I love all of my kilts except a few Ebay mistakes that I have discussed before. Every kilt I have gotten from a member or advertiser on the board is well worth my investment and they all get used regularly for their intended purpose. O'Neille

**Bob C** · 13th November 06, 01:01 PM

I have one of each - a $600 custom-tailored wool kilt and an ebay kilt that cost me about $75. Of course my expensive kilt is better, but I'm not sure it's THAT much better.

The price of custom handsewn kilts IS outrageous. Same with a lot of accessories. The market is fueled by snobbery.

**pdcorlis** · 13th November 06, 01:19 PM

Hey Blu

My interpretation of a "custom" kilt is any kilt where I specify tartan, waist, hip, and length measurements - then the kilt is sewn. Not how it is sewn (hand or machine) or material used. Am I thinking right here?

**Blu (Ontario)** · 13th November 06, 01:45 PM

Originally Posted by pdcorlis

Hey Blu

My interpretation of a "custom" kilt is any kilt where I specify tartan, waist, hip, and length measurements - then the kilt is sewn. Not how it is sewn (hand or machine) or material used. Am I thinking right here?

Yep.... traditional or modern - your choice....

ergo: custom = not mass produced.

.

**Panache** · 13th November 06, 02:02 PM

Originally Posted by pdcorlis

Hey Blu

My interpretation of a "custom" kilt is any kilt where I specify tartan, waist, hip, and length measurements - then the kilt is sewn. Not how it is sewn (hand or machine) or material used. Am I thinking right here?

That sounds like a good definition to me. Blu, perhaps instead of "Cheap" vs. "Expensive" it should be "Mass produced" vs. "Custom" (Blu in your poll you refer to "Cheapies" and "Budget" kilts)

Mass Produced: Utilikilts, Sport Kilts, Stillwaters, Amerikilts, etc.

Custom: Matt Newsome, Freedom Kilts, Kathy Lare, etc.

Companies that do both: USA Kilts (you difficult people!

)

Here's my two cents...

From everything that I have read on X marks, the expectation is that a custom kilt will most often (but not always) be a quality product. The mass produced kilts will have varying quality dependant (though not always) on the company. Good customer service service is not always hand in hand with custom kilts, poor customer service is not hand in hand with mass produced.

Very few of us have had the opportunity to sample the wares of all the kilt vendors out there. Heck, very few of us have had the opportunity to sample even all the X Marks the Scot vendors. I've enjoyed reading and participating in your polls Blu. But I wonder how many of the staunch traditional kilt wearers have actually tried a modern variant? How many proud modern kilt wearers have tried a traditional? The same with mass produced vs. custom. I tried a modern utilikilt and liked it. I've tried a cheap mass produced traditional kilt and ultimately been disappointed. I've had quality mass produced kilts and been delighted. Finally I have had a custom which I dearly love.

If money isn't a factor, nothing is going to beat a custom tailored garment. Be it a pair of trousers,a hat, shoes, socks, or a kilt (be it Modern of traditional).

That fact is, for most of us money is a factor. I won't waste my money on a poor quality product. But I would much rather have a lot of kilt options to wear instead of only one or two top of the line 8 yard "tanks". If I did, for fear of damaging them, I would only wear them for special ocassions (kind of like they do in Scotland)

Cheers

**Blu (Ontario)** · 13th November 06, 02:26 PM

Originally Posted by Panache

.... (Blu in your poll you refer to "Cheapies" and "Budget" kilts)

Admittedly, a poor choice of words.

... From everything that I have read on X marks, the expectation is that a custom kilt will most often (but not always) be a quality product. The mass produced kilts will have varying quality dependant (though not always) on the company. Good customer service service is not always hand in hand with custom kilts, poor customer service is not hand in hand with mass produced.

Good point.

... I should emphasize that the poll wording was not intended to taint the choices with judgemental language, but it seems to come off that way.

... That fact is, for most of us money is a factor. I won't waste my money on a poor quality product. But I would much rather have a lot of kilt options to wear instead of only one or two top of the line 8 yard "tanks". If I did, for fear of damaging them, I would only wear them for special ocassions (kind of like they do in Scotland)

Thay all have a place.... but each of us tends to place more importance on one over the other to varying degrees.

.

**macwilkin** · 13th November 06, 02:34 PM

Originally Posted by David White

Somehow, not having tons of money makes me very deliberate in my purchases, rarely do I make an impulse buy.

And that is the definition of frugality. Rather than impulse buy and spend, spend, spend (which is what happens when people think they're getting a bargin) I would much rather save my money and get something that I value.

I think it's wise to point out here that the majority of us who own custom, hand-sewn traditional kilts are not rich, wealthy, etc. It's been three years since I last bought a kilt, and quite frankly, I really don't "need" another, but I want to support someone like Matt in their endeavours to preserve a bit of Highland attire history, namely the box-pleated kilt. If I was as rich as Midas, then perhaps I'd own more kilts, but until I win the lotto, or get a promotion, I'm happy with what I have.

Originally Posted by Panache

That fact is, for most of us money is a factor. I won't waste my money on a poor quality product. But I would much rather have a lot of kilt options to wear instead of only one or two top of the line 8 yard "tanks". If I did, for fear of damaging them, I would only wear them for special ocassions (kind of like they do in Scotland)

And some of us here in the colonies, Panache. I am not ashamed of the fact that I am not a FT kilt-wearer, nor do I have any desire to be. My kilt is for special occasions, because my kilt is special to me as a symbol of my family heritage.

I stand with Robin -- you get what you pay for.

Cheers,

Todd