What if they sold Kilts at Wall-Mart?

[sathor]

On the other hand I would even dare to say that some of "scottish product taged" kilts are not realy made in Scotland (more likely in Pakistan).

Didn't I read the SWK's are done in Pakistan? I might be wrong, but I though I saw that.

Imagine though if the kilts didn't sell for some reason, then you could find them at Big Lots/ Odd lots.....

[Finn]

Sathor, you just gave me the heebie-jeebies.

[Rex_Tremende]

I'm waiting on Macy's to carry them. You'll see kilts take off in the more affluent classes. That will make me cranky.

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.

Now there's an idea. It's curious that when we think of selling to the masses, we think of Wal*Mart. But a lot of merchandise certainly does move through the other retailers. I do a lot of shopping at Macy's. I imagine their kilts would sell for way more than $50, unless it was on a 25% off marked-down price plus in-store coupon sale.

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

Paradoxically, jeans tend to increase in value the more beaten up they are and the longer you wear them. In fact, some of the most expensive jeans come already beaten up - I mean distressed - for you.

Some folk can't afford to pay the price for a traditional kilt so this is a perfect introduction for them and hopefully they'll catch the bug and save up for a good one or be lucky to get one second hand like I did one of mine.

Yep, I've purchased a few 'gateway' kilts. Now I'm loath to spend money on anything but a 'tank.'

I don't want just a bunch of random people wearing the kilt that may end up giving kilt wearers a bad name.

This is a specious argument. You are confusing people with kilt-wearers. Some people behave abominably. Some people wear kilts. Some people are kilt-wearers who behave abominably, but most people who behave abominably are not kilt-wearers. And yet we do not condemn all pants-wearers for the abominable behavior of a few of their kind.

Just because people may be buying a kilt from Walmart at $50 doesn't make them any more degenerate than the people that buy or rent kilts now. People do cartwheels now in a $200 utilikilt, and how many wedding kilt flash pictures have you seen.

Q.E.D. Thank you.

I understand those who fear kilts going "mainstream." It seems somehow to cheapen our own experience when everyone's doing it. But why, then, do we celebrate so every time someone announces: "Another convert!"? I, for one, would appreciate not having to explain myself all the time.

Today you can buy a bespoke suit, or you can buy one off the peg from any department store at almost any price. You get what you pay for (just ask my tailor!). The wearer knows the difference, and those in the know can still recognize a excellent garment when they see one. There is nothing lost in the experience.

Regards,
Rex.

[Dirk Skene]

50 dollars and off the peg. I would have to say: nyet.

I'd have too agree I would be leary of the price, But I do understand your idea. Check my signature.

[Ozman1944]

I don't care for Walmart; have only ever been in one once.

BUT I have several great (inexpensive and comfy) kilts from both Stillwater and Frugal corner.And am delighted to say they were well under $100.00. Even the $30.00 Thrifty (I have four) are quite acceptable, and are in excellent shape after almost two years.
I do have others more expensive but have never paid more that $180, and that was just for one in particular. I have 38 or so altogether, Trad. and casual, and enjoy the variety - and the price.

[morrison]

WalMart - NO
K Mart - NO
Target - NO
JCPenny - NO
SEARS - NO
MACY - NO
Etc - NO
Tailor YES and probably more
Kilt specialty - YES absolutely and again
Am I gettin' my point made? or do IDixie?

int:

[Mr. Kilt]

Wal Mart won't stock kilts until they can sell six million of them in a fiscal quarter.

And they'll never sell one to me, because I refuse to even walk into a Wal-mart. Or Costco.

What he said.

[Mr. Woolery]

I'd be all for it. Might even buy a couple. I envision something like a Utilikilt knockoff or a Sportkilt knockoff at Wal-Mart. I don't see why not. Probably going to be a while, but I think it will happen.

I don't see any attempt to copy a "tank" in cheaper materials. Wal-Mart doesn't carry even the cheap tuxedos at any location I have seen (not saying it doesn't happen in big cities around prom times, just that I have not seen it). Seems to me that the casual kilts would be the likely product at WM, not the good kilts.

Frankly, it isn't that hard to make a kilt-like garment out of a light material with elastic in the waist and an overlap on the front. If you don't stitch down the pleats it only takes the time hem the bottom edge, pleat a long rectangle, and sew on a waistband. Not very sophisticated, not very difficult, but the difference would be as obvious as the difference between a cheap pair of sweatpants and a pair of tailored wool slacks.

My wife wears an off-the-rack slack that she has semi-tailored (pegged to contour to her legs better) and has gotten comments about how nice they look. Without the modifications, they look like any pair of pants. The difference would be the same with kilts, I expect. Everyone would be used to the bunched elastic back (I still hate that aspect of SKs) and the pleats that are open all the way up to the waist. Then, they'd see someone in a wool tank and know that somehow this guy knows how to wear a kilt.

I don't think I'd own a nice suit if I didn't own any other trousers. I suspect a lot of folks would start wearing kilts and decide to get a nice one for formal wear and dress-up occasions after finding that it isn't hard or odd to wear a kilt.

Long way around saying that whether or not I would want to buy a lot of them, I'd like to see them accepted enough that you could buy them at retail shops. I don't think it would change my habits at all.

-Patrick

[Freedomlover]

Wal-Mart is in business to make money. If they thought they could move them they would have them. And as others have pointed out, they have decent merchandise as well as cheap stuff.

And I noticed several disparaging remarks about Wal-Mart's business practices. I was under the impression that while accurate reviews are welcome, personal vituperation is not. It is one thing to not like a given business, and quite another to fling accusations.

[sharpdressedscot]

Generally speaking it is very difficult to buy a kilt "off the rack" most are custom made or sold online. What if a dozen or so different tartans and styles were available for 50 bucks or so at Wall-mart ? what effect would this have on the kilt wearing population?

No thanks....that would be the end of the world for me.