What is the future of the Kilt?

[The Wizard of BC]

Ok, let's see. I see the future of the kilt getting even more blurred than it is. I don't care if the Tripp garment is called a kilt or not. I don't care if UK is a kilt or not. I know that Steven V. does not call his garment a kilt or credit any Celtic or Scottish inspiration for it. As new designers catch on that there is a market, there will be new and different definitions of "Kilt".

What I do know is that it is quite possible that in the very near future you will see UK's in a wider retail environment. WalMart? Probably not. But there are a lot of people who would like to see a UK, or something like it, sold in stores other than one location in Seattle. OK, there is a market, and I'm sure Steven will make even more money servicing that market.

Do I want to see the kilt priced near the cost of a pair of jeans? No. I like being different. Will I buy a Tripp garment? probably not. But that is because it is not my style of garment. I probably won't buy a silver Lamme kilt either.

What I do wish is that I could find some way to get the price of my custom made kilts down to where almost anyone who wishes to wear the kilt can afford one.

The growth of membership of just this forum is one indication that kilts, in all their variety, are here to stay for a while. Probably all the rest of this week. If this current boom in kilts busts I guess I'll be out of a job. Again. I don't see that happening. I see a day very soon when this forum seems passe because kilted men won't be so uncommon. It is already not unusual for members here to see another kilts in their town. Rare, but no longer shocking.

I can't remember the last time someone gave me that look that says "OH my, he must be a cross-dresser." The kilt is recognized and appreciated for what it is. Even if it is Camo fabric and worn like baggy cargo shorts.

The only thing we need now is more of the current X Markers who have made a kilt or two to step up and start their own business and get more and different versions of the kilt out there.

[JimB]

Maybe.....someday

[Erisianmonkey]

The only thing we need now is more of the current X Markers who have made a kilt or two to step up and start their own business and get more and different versions of the kilt out there.

Believe it or not, Steve, I've been looking into doing just that. I thought this was going to be a nice hobby. Then it became an obsession. I drift off to sleep at night thinking about making kilts. With that kind of motivation, I decided it was time to jump in and make a business plan.

Returning you to your regularly scheduled thread, I can say that I may not know what the future of all kilts is. But I do know that I will be in that future either as just a wearer or as a maker.

[staticsan]

... The kilt is recognized and appreciated for what it is. Even if it is Camo fabric...

I can personally attest to the truth of this statement because it was less than 8 hours ago that a good friend of mine saw me wearing my Snow Camo NeoKilt out and about for the very first time. And he instantly recognized it as a kilt.

That said, I am looking forward to when an upmarket chain store (like Esprit perhaps) start stocking kilts. I'm also looking forward to when a more mass-market chain - like Just Jeans, perhaps - start stocking kilts, although that's likely to take a long time. If it evder happens.

Wade.