Quality or quantity.....?

[Bob C]

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]

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)]

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]

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)]

.... (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.

.

[Kilted_John]

I started out with traditionals only. Then, in 2005, started with UK's. For a while, I had six UK's. Now only have one, which is well-worn and getting close to being retired to the yardwork and auto repair clothes pile. I still have all three traditionals. Next kilt I get will either be an R Kilt or a Freedom. Custom made to my measurements. Might also be another traditional, if I can save up enough cash for one...

-J

[macwilkin]

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.

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

[Panache]

...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...

Todd,

I can respect that. It's the best reason posted yet for getting a custom kilt. If you want something for special occassions, a kilt that is handsome, meaningful, and makes you look your absolute best, and will last you your whole life you should get a custom kilt. A mass produced version will not be as satisfying. My one custom kilt is for those special times when I want to look my best. I'm not going to wear it to help out at my son or daughter's school. I'm not going to wear it hiking or to the park. It isn't that it my Matt Newsome kilt isn't sturdy (it is), but I wish to keep this kilt looking it's best for the rest of my life (because I'm sure it's going to last at least as long as I do).

Now I'm not a full time kilt wearer by any means. But I do enjoy wearing them out and about to the park, the store, the aquarium, Scottish country Dance classes, and whenever it suits my fancy. So I wear them at least a couple of times each week. So for me it makes sense to have a range of kilts.

So it would appear that it's not just a question of the what kind of kilt? It's also a question of what kind of use? As well as what kind of wearer?

As you are fond of saying "Horses for courses".

Cheers

[macwilkin]

Todd,

I can respect that. It's the best reason posted yet for getting a custom kilt. If you want something for special occassions, a kilt that is handsome, meaningful, and makes you look your absolute best, and will last you your whole life you should get a custom kilt. A mass produced version will not be as satisfying. My one custom kilt is for those special times when I want to look my best. I'm not going to wear it to help out at my son or daughter's school. I'm not going to wear it hiking or to the park. It isn't that it my Matt Newsome kilt isn't sturdy (it is), but I wish to keep this kilt looking it's best for the rest of my life (because I'm sure it's going to last at least as long as I do).

Now I'm not a full time kilt wearer by any means. But I do enjoy wearing them out and about to the park, the store, the aquarium, Scottish country Dance classes, and whenever it suits my fancy. So I wear them at least a couple of times each week. So for me it makes sense to have a range of kilts.

So it would appear that it's not just a question of the what kind of kilt? It's also a question of what kind of use? As well as what kind of wearer?

As you are fond of saying "Horses for courses".

Cheers

Exactly, Panache! You've summed it up quite nicely! :mrgreen:

T.

[David White]

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.



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

Hi Todd, Its been four years for me since I got my first one.
Now I have two more coming. Good choices, yes I think so.
I to agree with Robin. Now I just have to make one myself