In praise of cheap kilts

[sporranlegionaire]

Like any other garment, I think there is a place for cheap alternatives as much as topnotch ones. I wouldn't take out the rubbish or sweep the drive in an expensive kilt, but would in a cheap eBay lookalike. As a relative newcomer to kilting, the expense of a higher priced outfit would have put me off from the start. If cheaper compromised designs attract more new wearers, and as they get into the spirit of it all they elect to eventually upgrade and support the bespoke makers, everyone should be happy. I'm now currently saving up the pennies for a traditional one.

[majdan]

Well it looks as if the general opinion is that the lower price point items are, in fact an entry point into the market and increase the potential customer base for the custom makers. Would you agree?

[Kilted Christian]

I also echo many of the sentiments here in that there certainly appear to be kilts for all occasions, prices points, and value-seekers. I just got a Thriify Kilt from Steve @ Stillwater for camping and stuff in the yard, and for $36 with shipping I will not give it a second thought. I'm not entirely sure I'll wear it out around town since I have a nice Geoffrey (Tailor), another that doesn't quite fit, and soon to have a Matt Newsome 4 yard box pleat, but it gets me in a kilt. I'm wearing it now.

[Ozman1944]

The less expensive Kilts is what drew me in. As has been said here; "Most people do NOT have a trained eye" So, generally who knows the difference? And, should a group of Kilters get together, who would be rude enough to snigger at a buddies Stillwater, or make snide comments because you weren't wearing/couldn't afford a $600 Tank?
Wear what you like, and what you can afford; no need to mortgage the house over wearing apparel just to "keep up with the Jones's" .
This is the 21st Cent. we need to be a bit more innovative and individualistic.

Of COURSE quality is quality, (no getting around that) A Tux is better than a K-Mart special, but sometimes new shoes for the kids has to call for a sacrifice. A Kilt is always possible, but a bit lower in price.
Kilters should hopefully be democratic AND diplomatic.

But, Lord, if You could see Your way clear to bestow upon me about $1,200.00 (for a Tank & Plaid etc.) I promise I'd never ask for another thing.....honest!

[DrewO]

Sorry for the hijack but- There is a kiltmaker in Boston?

And to put the thread back on track- All I have are cheap kilts and I like them but sometime this autumn I will be getting a custom kilt.

The Athol Brose in Cambridge (Porter Square). My first kilt was made there.

[CameronTaylor]

Full Boar tanks, Ebay specials, SK whatever-you-wanna-call-its ... all have a place and time. To each their own, be comfortable.


CT - wishin' I knew about Frugals before I got that Pride of Scotland hanging up in the sewing room ....

[Perldog007]

I'm actually expecting to get thrown into a swimming pool whilst wearing a PV kilt in a few weeks - I wouldn't want to do that in an expensive wool kilt!

Wade.

Hmmmm..... Wade is my middle name, I better get me a pV before the tank. I really want a traditional kilt in my family tartan. Since it is a "special run" and not a stock tartan, it will be some time. In the meantime, I have a U.K, two train wrecks I made mineownself, and an FK on order.

You can bet there will be some pv clad around this Rumpus Maximux before I finally get my tank. If you can afford a closet of hand made traditional kilts, there is little excuse for a cheap one... for the rest of us affordable kilts put men in kilts. AND THAT IS GOOD IMO (is so far as kilted newbies are allowed to posses opinions)

[Wompet]

If cheaper kilts get more guys in kilts, then GREAT!

... USAKilts ... Canadian Casual Kilts ... Stillwater ...

I wouldn't call those cheap kilts. I would call them less expensive (cheaper); good quality for low price.
Cheap kilts are the ones we warn each other about.
Semantics? Maybe, but that how I look at it.

[McClef]

Cheap is one of those words that can be read more than one way.

There are reputable but less expensive suppliers and there are suppliers who are famous for shall we say, less than completely honest in the way they describe them?

But any kilt that starts someone off on a kilted career has its place

[Panache]

Full Boar tanks...

Would this be a special Boar hide R Kilt by Cannuck?

Cheers

Jamie