New to the board.

[Robin]

Welcome!

[Jerry]

Welcome to Xmarks, and I'll add my recommendation for Stillwater kilts. However, Stillwater comes in only one length (24 inches) other then their new kid's kilts and that length is not right for everyone. If you want to invest a bit more, for custom made kilts and still stay around $100, try Rocky's casual kilts at USA kilts. Above all check with the members here about any kilt maker you decide to purchase from. There is a vast knowledge pool here about who or who not to buy from.

[Ugly Bear]

Welcome.

Ever since we returned I've been searching for a kilt for the two of us but they are really REALLY expensive could anyone tell me why?

Kilts today are not mass-produced by sweatshop labor -- there isn't the market for anyone to invest enough money to make enough kilts to bring their per-unit cost down below $30 or so. And if they were, they wouldn't be made-to-fit. If your jeans were individually tailored, they wouldn't cost $25 off-the-rack, either.

[Ugly Bear]

And here's a more detailed explanation of price, by Alan H:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=28025

[andyfg]

Welcome and enjoy. You will find kilts of all qualities and all prices. Check out various threads on the forum.

[Splash_4]

Hey, if your looking for the robertson tartan, check out USAkilts.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Welcome to the board, and to kilt wearing. As for kilts being expensive, everything is relative. As I tell men who come into the museum gift shop and want to buy a kilt, "It's only expensive if you never wear it!" That is to say, if you spend hundreds of dollars on a kilt that you wear once or twice and then hang in your closet and forget about, yes, that is a very expensive garment! However, if you wear it regularly and get enjoyment out of it then it is well worth every penny.

Remember, also, that you get what you pay for. There are inexpensive kilts out there, and there are expensive kilts. And there are plenty in the middle.

A well made, hand stitched, made to measure kilt in quality Scottish wool will right now run you between $500 and $600 from most places. This is for a really nice kilt made from about 8 yards of single width cloth. Yes, there are some shops that are trying to charge much, much more than this for a kilt. but as a kiltmaker myself I cannot honestly see why. A lot of times you might be paying for a particular label, or the impression that this is a better made kilt. But there is honestly not going to be any real difference (in my experience) between a kilt that costs $550 and one that costs $850 except the price tag.

There are less expensive options. For instance, not all kilts need to be made with 8 yards of cloth. A man's kilt can be made from 7, 6, 5, or 4 yards of cloth, and each will be less expensive. (The less material used, the fewer pleats you'll have in the kilt, and the wider those pleats will be). Most major kilt firms will offer some form of "casual kilt" that is typically made from 4 or 5 yards of cloth, and often machine stitched. They are still made from the finest quality Scottish woolen tartan. These will typically retail between $300 and $400.

Speaking for myself, I offer a 4 yard box pleated kilt, which is a very traditional style of pleating, that went out of common useage in the mid-nineteenth century. These are completely hand stitched and the average cost is $350.

And there are kilts that cost even less than this. Some kiltmakers offer kils made from non-wool material (such as polyviscose, or acrylic, or canvas). The better of these will still be made-to-measure, but are usually machine made. Of course you don't have the same wide selection of tartans you have in the Scottish wool. You are limited to the smaller range that is produced in these alternate materials. And, of course, these materials will all have a different look and feel to them than the wool. Some are more suited to kilting than others. The better of these will still cost you probably between $200 and $300.

When you get below the $200 range, you have to really be prepared to get what you pay for. There are a lot of companies out there selling kilts, some for as little as $50 or so, but plenty between $100 and $200. Ebay is full of them! Here you will be getting usually an acrylic or acrylic blend type of cloth, and of course you are limited to what tartans are available. Often times the pleats are not sewn all the way down in the back. The apron may not have a proper taper. There may not be a lining. These are most often made in Pakistan and then imported. Some of these kilts are actually not a bad deal if you are looking for an inexpensive beginner kilt, or one to just knock around in. Others may not even be worth the shipping charges! If you look around on this board at reviews you will get a sense of the reputable companies to deal with.

Please note I am not making reference to any particular companies in the above, just making some general observations about what type of kilts you can expect in the various cost ranges. The main thing is to remember -- you get what you pay for! The important thing is to get the style and quality of kilt that you want and to make an informed decision about where to buy from to make sure that you feel you are getting a fair price for the product.

Aye,
Matt

[Cawdorian]

From the highlands of North Atlanta.

It is sometimes hard to justify paying $500 or $600 for that first kilt, but as Matt noted if you wear your kilt fequently you will enjoy your kilt investment. A good Scottish wool kilt is an cost effective investment, properly cared for, it will last several generations.

Be warned kilts are addictive, once you get that first kilt you will find many events to attend kilted and find that one kilt isn't enough.

[cavscout]

Welcome to the neighborhood

Matt makes some very good points.

The urge to buy the most economical (inexpensive) kilt is very tempting. Everyone here gets a jolt when a kiltmaker shows up with a cheaper price. However, most folks who want to make a wise purchase realize, that there are many factors that go into a quality kilt. Studying and learning about these factors on this forum will ensure that when you do buy a kilt it will be a quality garment that will last for a very long time and look great. I can assure you, you will not regret paying a bit more for a kilt that is well made, looks great and is a pleasure to wear.

The key is....DO NOT run out and buy the first kilt you stumble on!! Do some studying here first and you will appreciate the craftsmanship of the kiltmaker and that 100 to 500 purchase will not seem unreasonable.

[BEEDEE]

from coastal North Carolina

Brian