Who actually OWNS a Scottish hand-sewn?

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Nothing, but nothing, compares to a properly fitted kilt. I know they cost a bit more, but... well if I have to explain it, you won't understand. As to fabric: wool is nice, but if you can afford it a wool-silk blend (proper barathea) is spectacular. I've seen (but never owned) an all silk kilt (left over from the days of the Raj, no doubt) and would imagine that to be the pinnacle of Scottish attire. The problem seems to be that a large majority of people consider the kilt and all its attendant accoutrements to be some sort of week-end costume (rather like Hallowe'n get ups) and are reluctant to spend money on quality clothing. Cheap kilts are like tube socks... a shoddy short-cut that won't stay up.

[TheKiltedWonder]

Nothing, but nothing, compares to a properly fitted kilt. I know they cost a bit more, but... well if I have to explain it, you won't understand.
...
The problem seems to be that a large majority of people consider the kilt and all its attendant accoutrements to be some sort of week-end costume (rather like Hallowe'n get ups) and are reluctant to spend money on quality clothing. Cheap kilts are like tube socks... a shoddy short-cut that won't stay up.

I'm sorry if I'm misreading what you've written, but those comments kinda seem condescending. Many of us on the board are students or recent students or have plenty of bills. We may desire quality clothing and we're perfectly capable of comprehending why people like the quality, but there are other considerations.

That said, I am lucky enough to own a hand-sewn kilt in MacNeil of Barra. It was made for another fellow, who made the poor decision of never collecting it, so I managed to nab it for a pittance.