Kilt Addiction - It Could Be Worse

[Riverkilt]

Johnny Boggs wrote an article for the November/December 2007 issue of True West Magazine titled “Can’t Kick the Boot Addiction.” Some of what he wrote reminds me a lot of what we kilt addicts experience.

“Not booze, gambling, or anything illegal. But it’s a serious habit. Cowboy boots [kilts] can get expensive.”

“The serious addiction began when I got a pair of custom, handmade Stallions [16 ounce Strome]”

“I asked him how many boots [kilts] he owns. He hedges. ‘Its over 50.’ Finally he comes clean (that’s the first step) ‘It might be over 75. Lets say between 50 and infinity.”

“She blames the bootmakers [kiltmakers]. ‘The problem is that with every pair built, a bootmaker [kiltmaker] gets better at his/her trade. And every year there are new colors [tartans]…The possibilities are endless.”

“There is no cure. Its hopeless.”

“I recommend moderation, if you can’t manage that on your own, I say choose an excellent bootmaker [kiltmaker] with a really looong waiting list. At least you can say you tried.”

“Accept your addiction (that’s the first step). And be careful. It could be worse. I could be addicted to cowboy hats.”

The article has photos of custom boots whose prices start at $2,200.00 That money would buy a top of the line kilted turnout for sure.

So, for those of you with a lady in your life who may have financial concerns about your kilt addiction/compulsion/hobby/cultural connection….maybe…it would be helpful to print out some info off of the custom boot websites. When she sees those prices she might just encourage you to stay with kilts.

Ron
Who only owns four pair of cowboy boots – only one of which is custom made…and only four cowboy hats -only one custom cowboy hat….and a dozen or so Pendleton vests…all off the rack...they go well with solid color kilts....hmmm is that "cross addiction?"

[GMan]

You're right Ron, I don't think that I would spend that kind of money on boots, but a Kilt and all that goes with it, may be different.

[Weasel Mender]

Hello, my name is weasel and I am a Kiltie

[Mael Coluim]

So Ron how kilts have you acquired?
I joined this rabble in July with:
1. Malcolm tank
2. Amerikilt Camo-tiger strip
3. Utilikilt- mocker
4. Malcolm belted plaid
5. Malcolm belted plaid
6. Robertson belted plaid

These last four months
6. sold mocker through X Marks
7, SWK economy Gordon
8. SWK standard Ancient Mckenzie
7, USA Kilts traditional Black Stewart
8. pending delivery - Newsome box St. Columba tartan
9. pending delivery - Newsome box St. Patrick tartan

And jonesing for a number more. Don't tell the wife!

[Riverkilt]

Aye yi yi....you had to ask!

I was up well over fifty kilts...but I flat 'fatted out' of a bunch of them and it seemed cruel to leave them prisoner of their hangers so sold them at a fair price to folks that'd let them swing free.

Had no clue what the current kilt count is so had to go make one. Came up 47 kilts with one on order (U.S. Navy semi-trad from Rocky).

Sounds like you'd be perfect to test out my theory. Print out a whole bunch of info on custom boots. Send off for flyers and brochures on custom boots....the really expensive ones.....see if your wife doesn't encourage you to buy more kilts instead....

Ron

[Moosedog]

Mael Coluim,

How long did it take you to accumulate the first six kilts? I think the acceleration in your kilt aquisitions is a sure sign of addiction! Seems like a few months back someone on here calculated that velocity...It's scary!

Moosedog

(I am only commenting on yours to keep from thinking about my OWN kilt acceleration...)

[Mael Coluim]

Mael Coluim,

How long did it take you to accumulate the first six kilts? I think the acceleration in your kilt aquisitions is a sure sign of addiction! Seems like a few months back someone on here calculated that velocity...It's scary!

Moosedog

(I am only commenting on yours to keep from thinking about my OWN kilt acceleration...)

Moosedog here is the chronological order of purchases before joining XMarks:
I joined this rabble in July with:
1. Malcolm tank 1997
2. Malcolm belted plaid 1999
3. Malcolm belted plaid 2000
4. Robertson belted plaid 2004
5. Amerikilt Camo-tiger strip 2005
6. Utilikilt- mocker 2005

So, that's 6 kilts in 8 years. Since joining the forum I've purchased 5 in 4 months! Yipes, I'm addicted! Where's rehab? Rehab, did I say rehab? No, I don't have a problem. I will just purchase one a month starting today!

[Moosedog]

Yes, I think weaning yourself off s-l-o-w-l-y is the best bet. No cold turkey! From 1.25 kilts/month down to 1.00 seems about right. Stay at that level for, oh, a year or so, then you can probably pare it down to .75/month.

Actually the comparison between kilting and any addiction is a little scary, like Ron has pointed out. All the elements are there:

Protecting your supply (shh, don't tell anyone about that great worsted source you found,)

Rationalizing (I MUST wear the kilt due to freedom/health/pride/swagger/practicality,)

Having it affect your personal and professional relationships (Let me just check in on my kilt forum, I'll be right to bed... What do you mean, I can't wear a kilt to the office? Show me the dress code!)

Jonesing (Where is it? Did it arrive today? Will it be there when I get home? Where is that Fedex tracking number--still in Tennessee--argh!)

Hiding your kilts (Honestly, hon, I've had this one for years! It's just been at the back of the closet..)

oh dear! (laughing.)

Moosedog

[TheKiltedWonder]

Top of the line boots may be expensive but that's all you need. Perhaps spurs?
The problem with kilts is that the actual kilt is just a starting point. I never understood how girls could spend so much time/money shopping. But once you have a kilt you need a sporran, and you know that rob roy sporran won't match your black leather belt. Better get a new one. Man, and these socks looked fine with the McKenzie kilt, but wouldn't bottle green ones look great with my Campbell of Argyll? and these red flashes won't do...Hrm, ooh look at those new sgian dhus...only antler will do. And how can you recite "Ode to a Haggis" without a dirk. Damascus steel of course.
So, remember RiverKilt, you may justify your addiction by pointing out "worse" addictions, but kilts are a dangerous gateway drug.

And don't get me started on the jonesing. "It's in Chesapeake??? It's been there for 45 mins? Why is it still there? How many hours would it take me to drive there??"

[Tattoo Bradley]

So, remember RiverWalk

Errm... that's RiverKILT.