What if they sold Kilts at Wall-Mart?

[GDub]

A Wal-Mart kilt? What would be the point?

[O'Callaghan]

If they did it would probably be priced at half that, say $25. The Hot Topic ones are that much ($50) as it is. Also, I'm guessing they would be in random fashion tartans, as indeed the Hot Topic ones are. The latter come in 'red plaid', 'green plaid' and solid black, AFAIK. Walmart might offer another solid colour or two, like beige or navy perhaps, but would probably otherwise do the same thing, although they would definitely go cheaper in price.

AFAIK the Hot Topic kilts have only 'pinch pleats' (or I think that's what a seamstress would call them) so as to use the least fabric, i.e. less than if they had proper knife pleats. It's my guess (without trying one on) that the reason they go a bit below the knee is that because they are pinch pleated there isn't sufficient fabric to spread between the knees when you sit (I reckon the few extra inches on the hem doesn't add as much as proper pleats would). Kilts with pinch pleats make even my SWK Thrifty kilt look deluxe. Two-yard kilts, perhaps? OTOH, they do have pockets.

I suspect Walmart would put in pockets, but I hope they wouldn't use pinch pleats and a below knee hem. But this is all academic. I doubt they could sell enough yet to carry them. I think more guys would have to be wearing kilts before this would happen.

[staticsan]

To imagine Walmart selling kilts, you have to imagine the intermediate developments first. First, kilts have to get into retail stores, something like a 'luxury' brand store (e.g. Gap, Esprit...) or a high-end department store (e.g. Bloomingdales, or David Jones). Or perhaps a specialty kilt selling chain. Or even all three! Now imagine what $50 kilts would be like from each of those.

Done? Okay: you've almost set the stage for Walmart to possibly be interested. But by this stage, a hand-sewn mail-to-measure kilt would not be highly sought after. People would still by them, of course, like people continue to buy tailored suits from Armani. But it would be more normal to know your size and try a few on in the store.

Note that the lifetime (and pricepoint!) of most kilts by this point would be the same as the average pair of jeans.

Now enter Walmart. How do their jeans compare to (say) Gap? That gives you an idea of what their kilts would be like!

Wade.

[O'Callaghan]

To imagine Walmart selling kilts, you have to imagine the intermediate developments first. First, kilts have to get into retail stores, something like a 'luxury' brand store (e.g. Gap, Esprit...) or a high-end department store (e.g. Bloomingdales, or David Jones). Or perhaps a specialty kilt selling chain. Or even all three! Now imagine what $50 kilts would be like from each of those.

Done? Okay: you've almost set the stage for Walmart to possibly be interested. But by this stage, a hand-sewn mail-to-measure kilt would not be highly sought after. People would still by them, of course, like people continue to buy tailored suits from Armani. But it would be more normal to know your size and try a few on in the store.

Note that the lifetime (and pricepoint!) of most kilts by this point would be the same as the average pair of jeans.

Now enter Walmart. How do their jeans compare to (say) Gap? That gives you an idea of what their kilts would be like!

Wade.

Sounds right to me.

[Caddy One]

I do not want to even think about it..............

[kiltedsawyer]

Not everything at WalMart is of poor quality. But they do cater to those of us not born with a silver spoon in our mouths. I could see Sport Kilts at WalMart, but not anytime soon. When you buy in the volume that WalMart does, you have to target the center of the bell curve. And they do buy in volume. Anyone whose business involves importing anything can tell you how impossible it is to get containers from now until Christmas, WalMart has them all filled bringing in their merchandise. Can you imagine what they would sell for sporrans?

Respectfully,
David