Quality or quantity.....?

[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