Are kilts only for the rich? rant.

[hospitaller]

Lately I've noticed a trend here.

Let me explain, we all know kilts and everything related to kilts are expensive.

Then again, regular clothes can range from cheap to stupidly expensive.

For instance a typical work outfit for me would cost no more than $60. That includes a $10 shirt, $15 pants, $20 shoes, $5 socks and a $10 tie.

A 'weekend' outfit is even cheaper at about $50, that is a $15 tshirt, $20 jeans/shorts, and maybe $20-25 snickers/running shoes.

I'm sure those who are better off can afford a $500 suit, $100 shirts, $50 ties and $200 shoes.

Not the vast majority though. Yet, we still manage to look as good as those in the fancy outfits, and unless you want to be flautning your clothes' brand, either outfit is almost identical.

Now, kilts.

Well putting the 'wool is the one and only fabric for a kilt!' argument and focusing on cost alone, why is it that lately I'm seeing a few posts and comments that are somewhat looking down on people's only alternative for a kilt, and that is, cheap yet good looking material, such as acrylic and/or PV ?

Believe me, if the less afluent in this world could afford to spent hundreds of dollars for a single kilt, we would.

But we can't, so we don't. And that doesn;t mean we are any less of a kilted man than those of you wearing $1000 worth of fabric in a single outfit!

I am just as proud wearing my $100 entire outfit.

And don't get me going on the $50 kilt pin, or the $60 hose...or the $300 for a sporran?

Jeepers, I am not a leathersmith, and I am not a taylor, but by golly lately I've seen my skills increase by a tenfold by the simple fact of having to buy my own CHEAP fabric to make my own kilts. And going to Tandy to get enough leather to make 5 sporrans for less than theprice of a single store bought sporran. And my sporrans will be all custom made to my own liking!

In short and to finish this 'rant', please, PLEASE let's not succumb to the dark side of 'kilt snobility' and start to look down or make snarky comments at the efforts of those trying to wear a garment that has the same humble origins as the cheap fabric some of us are using to make our own.

slainte tae yall

[Finn]

Hear! Hear!

Though, I don't feel too slighted, except by the anti-UK vibe that sometimes runs through.

[macwilkin]

I'm sure those who are better off can afford a $500 suit, $100 shirts, $50 ties and $200 shoes.

Respectfully, Hector, this is a bit of a chestnut.

I am by no means wealthy, yet I do value quality garments, including Highland attire. According to my grandmother's definition of frugality, you buy the best so you don't have to keep buying replacements.

Are there those who look down their nose at the so-called "cheap" material -- yes, there are. But there are also those who do the same towards those of us who are more "traditional" in terms of our Highland kit. It goes both ways.

Regards,

Todd

[Bugbear]

Does it matter?

* I'll edit this in here. My first thought was "Oh... here we go again." Then I felt very tired...

[Fedgunner]

Inhale 2,3 4, Hold, 2,3,4, Exhale, 2,3,4, Hold, 2,3,4... repeat a couple times.

I own 3 wool kilts, 1 "tank", one from NeoKilts, and 1 from Stillwater. I own 2 Polyviscose kilts from NeoKilts. I own 3 cotton kilts, 2 Utilikilts, and 1 home made X-Kilt.

My sporrans follow the same pattern, from a Stillwater economy to a sealskin semi-formal.

All have uses and all get used!

The cost matters not, it is the enjoyment you get from it.

[Panache]

I have great respect for the traditionalists on this forum.

They wear the kilt not because it is handsome or comfortable, but because it is a link to their Scottish Heritage. Their choice of tartan is based not on looks but on their connection to that pattern as it reflects their family/clan.
They may not wear their kilts often, but on the special occasions when they do they will do it well. To them the kilt really means something and they are none to interested in modern variants.

Is it any wonder that these people save their pennies and when they buy their kilt and kit they want the very best. Quality tartan wool is the best material for a traditionally made kilt.

If you don't believe that just ask Barb, Matt, Steve, Rocky, Pete, or any other of our professional kilt makers.

Now I personally wear my kilts for a wide variety of reasons and wear them often. Kilts are to me like golf clubs and one wears the right one for what one is doing. I see the value and utility in Sport Kilt and Stillwater's offerings as well as the great craftsmanship in a hand sewn kilt made from the very best tartan as my Galbraith and XMTS kilts are. At either end of the spectrum are strengths and weaknesses (that's why I like my mix). If I am going to Burns Night you can sure bet I will be wearing my 16 oz. XMTS custom run wool tartan in a hand sewn military box pleat kilt. If I am going hiking in the woods I will wear my trusty, battered, but much loved SWK Hunting Mcleod standard. On a hot summer night for Scottish Country Dancing I always go straight to my USA semi-traditional kilt. Etc...

Among the Nor Cal Rabble it really doesn't matter who made your kilt or what is it made of. We are just happy to see people wearing them , looking good, and having fun.

People should be allowed their opinions, and try to be respectful of one another.

Fed Gunner wrote this as I was typing and it sums everything up perfectly

All have uses and all get used!

The cost matters not, it is the enjoyment you get from it.

Cheers

Jamie

[DWFII]

I'm guessing that the following is not going to be a popular opinion but...

In general, all things being equal, there are reasons why some items cost more than others. Materials, the quality of the materials, the rarity of the materials, the quality of the workmanship, the amount of workmanship.

You either value those things...mostly intangible, often subtle things that tend to define quality...enough to pay for them or you don't. In that context, price isn't (or shouldn't be) in it.

And although I've said this before, there is a great deal of truth, particularly to those who have some insights into quality, in the old saw that we (Americans especially) all "know the price of everything but the value of nothing."

And yes, it's hard sometimes. I have spent my entire career in a 19th century Trade, being paid, or encountering customers who expect to pay, like it was still the 19th century. I will never own 92 kilts. I will be lucky to own two...but by gum, they'll be the best I can get my hands on (and I'll make it a point to know what quality is) or I won't get them at all.

That's my 2¢...

[macwilkin]

Inhale 2,3 4, Hold, 2,3,4, Exhale, 2,3,4, Hold, 2,3,4... repeat a couple times.

I own 3 wool kilts, 1 "tank", one from NeoKilts, and 1 from Stillwater. I own 2 Polyviscose kilts from NeoKilts. I own 3 cotton kilts, 2 Utilikilts, and 1 home made X-Kilt.

My sporrans follow the same pattern, from a Stillwater economy to a sealskin semi-formal.

All have uses and all get used!

The cost matters not, it is the enjoyment you get from it.

Well said.

T.

[Bugbear]

I didn't mean any disrespect, hospitaller. In a way I understand where you're coming from and I also understand the other side. Really, it sounds like you have been able to do alright with the way you are making your own sporrans and so on.

[Carolina Kiltman]

I have either the good fortune or misfortune (take your pick) of being one of the "end sizes" in the clothing spectrum ever since I was in HS at the end of WWII. Later when I graduated from OCS,I will never forget the look on the uniform shop owner's face when he took my measurements: neck 14", sleeves 38". He had a contract to supply a full set of officer's uniforms at a fixed price. After the other measurements were taken, he just sighed, "no profit on this one". As a result I have often had to go the custom route to get clothes acceptable for my work. I owned just one suite in graduate school, which I had to wear as a teaching assistant. I found that British "duo-therm" underwear made it wearable in an Iowa winter! Yet I have found out that quality is usually the "cheapest". It lasts longer. My Scots mother drummed that into my head since I reached 6' and only weighed about 100lbs at the time. It also taught me to go conservative in fashion so it didn't have to be changed for that reason. I agree it would be nice of my tartan were available from SK, but then one cannot choose one's ancestors, can we? I guess what I am trying to say to all of this is that you get what you pay for, and to be content with what you have been dealt.