Just a whiney complaint...

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I couldn't agree more with what the last few threads have said,but there is another slant to this as well. It's the modern(old too) Scots one, alright lets stretch that to the UK and maybe Ireland too. Now, we all know that the kilt is not worn as everyday wear by many Scots and we all know that a small percentage of Scots actually even own a kilt, BUT the kilts they own and their attire is probably the best that they can afford. That means, in general terms, ONE good(expensive) Kilt, possibly ONE good(expensive?) tweed Argyll,probably ONE good(expensive?) evening jacket, ONE good pair of shoes,ONE good day sporran, ONE good evening sporran. Much of the aforementioned may well have been inherited or bought second hand, which does help.

There are exceptions of course,Hamish springs to mind and there are others too, but the small percentage of kilt wearing Scots that own their kit go for the best that they can get and that is it.

Whilst I have been on this website I have heard this cry of angst of the cost of kilt attire many times,mainly from across the Atlantic, and thought to myself "well if they just had one quality kilt ,one quality pair of shoes, two kilt jackets of the best quality instead of umpteen cheap kilts,umpteen cheap jackets,umpteen sporrans,umpteen this that and the others, then I bet the value would not be much different?" Something for new members of the kilt wearing world, in paticular, to ponder, I suggest.

I'm voting for you to be my MP. --Sorry, forgot. NO POLITICS. So in that case, all I can say is you are absolutely right on the money. Although I'm sure the "fashionistas" probably won't agree with us...

[Jock Scot]

I'm voting for you to be my MP. --Sorry, forgot. NO POLITICS. So in that case, all I can say is you are absolutely right on the money. Although I'm sure the "fashionistas" probably won't agree with us...

I have donned my "battle bowler" and have dived into my bunker, almost, as I write!

[Colin]

Whilst I have been on this website I have heard this cry of angst of the cost of kilt attire many times,mainly from across the Atlantic, and thought to myself "well if they just had one quality kilt ,one quality pair of shoes, two kilt jackets of the best quality instead of umpteen cheap kilts,umpteen cheap jackets,umpteen sporrans,umpteen this that and the others, then I bet the value would not be much different?" Something for new members of the kilt wearing world, in paticular, to ponder, I suggest.

Spot on Jock

Since day 1 of this forum people have been falling into the "how many kilts can I own" trap. I started to fall into myself the first few months of kilt wearing. I was buying a new casual kilt every few months trying to duplicate what I really wanted........a good quality kilt. I didn't want to spend $600 on really good kilt, so I spent more than that on 2-3 so-so kilts that were great to wear to the pub or for a hike, but crap for formal. Now I own two kilts one nice one (13oz Lochcarron) and one really nice one (16oz Marton mills). between them, and the some well planned accessories, they serve every purpose from the pub, the local games, sporting events, Burns night, weddings, Christmas parties, etc. In the end it works out cheaper to not be replacing a mediocre kilt every so often and instead getting something that will last and be more multipurpose. Too put it into perspective, my dress sporran was not much more than my current running/gym shoes.

Of course that would likely mean saving for something and we are not conditioned for that anymore in North America. Out instant gratification society tells us the opposite (Buy now, expect less, and buy another later).

I am happy I saved and got the best I could for what I could afford. It has more than paid for itself time and time again.

[sathor]

Having 1 that fits all occasions is not worth much to me. I ordered another SWK standard in Gordon because I like the colors better than my Royal Stewart. I will orbably wear that one more, because I am more often in the mood to wear those colors. I'll eventually order some sort of American Heritage, for a more rounded out use. When I have my 6 month old on my leg eating, I'm happy to be in a machine washable kilt. If you are going to wear a kilt more than every great while, having more than one makes sense.

[Panache]

Good wool tartan material costs a lot to produce.

Paying a skilled kilt maker to take many hours to hand sew a kilt is going to cost quite a bit as well.

The end result, a custom made kilt is a thing of beauty and one that if properly cared for should serve you well for a lifetime. As has been said before, they are a good investment.

Now a lot of kit associated with the kilt is also hand made or a specialty item produced by few.

If you want a complete custom made kilt outfit, right now, then it is going to cost you.

However if you are patient, if you are willing to try your hand at making things, if you think outside of the box, then some of the kit for a kilt outfit can be had quite reasonably.

The secret is to knowing what items you should spend your money on (and what is important to you).

Take a look at this outfit




Tweed jacket: Purchased new at Ross for about $20, modified by a tailor into a kilt jacket for $90

Waistcoat: Purchased on clearance at Target for $7, shortened by my lovely wife for free)

Bow tie: Thrift store find $2

Dress shirt: Purchased from Mervyns on clearance $12.50

Dress Shoes: Purchased from Target on clearance for $20

Pocket square: $2 bandanna from a party supply store

Sporran Strap: $6 Clearance ladies belt modified by me with about $5 of hardware into a sporran strap

Sgian Don't: $3 in materials, made by me

The only real official "Kilt stuff" I am wearing is my kilt, flashes, hose, and sporran (and the kilt is one of Jerry's Stillwater heavyweights).

Now I am pretty happy with this outfit (including the hat that Jock Scot is sighing over right now ). The whole price of this outfit comes to around $500 (not including the hat)

Now I don't think that this outfit is better than one with a hand sewn kilt, tailored kilt jacket and waistcoat, and other pieces bought of the best quality for full retail. I bet that such an outfit would indeed look a little nicer. This doesn't make my outfit any less nice.

I have seen really bad jacket conversions here on XMTS and I have seen really good ones. The key is to try be discerning when cutting corners.

What I am trying to get at is that if one is an informed buyer, one willing to wait and look for bargains, use a little imagination and elbow grease, and most of all to be creative can find some ways to make an outfit without breaking the bank.

I think frugality is knowing what to invest in to buy the best and knowing what not to waste money on as it doesn't matter*.

Cheers

Jamie

* This is why I passed up the french pocket square sewn and embroidered by nuns in the Cognac region of France, and made from the finest and highest quality Tibetan silk obtained from free range organically fed silk worms.

[Bugbear]

Yep Panache, the DIY approach has the potential to go a long, long way if you're up to it.

I like nice pocket squares and good pocket watches.
I will be happy with one traditional kilt, but will be OK with two SWK heavyweight kilts.

Pleater has a good point to, you use what you have to get what you want and need.
Sometimes that involves taking something like a SWK wool kilt and improving it through alterations; sometimes that means trading stuff; sometimes that means coughing up big money for something.
Sometimes it means waiting and saving for something while using the lesser items that can pass but aren't high quality.

[davedove]

* This is why I passed up the french pocket square sewn and embroidered by nuns in the Cognac region of France, and made from the finest and highest quality Tibetan silk obtained from free range organically fed silk worms.

Right, because everyone knows that nuns in any region of France can produce the work just as well for less cost. One simply must stick with the Tibetan silk though.

[ccga3359]

I spend $50 - $75 for a pair of Levis that will last 6 months, non adjustable or wear out. Compared to a kilt that is expensive. A top quality kilt, even worn frequently, will last decades, even generations. There is also the smaller market to deal with and the fact most of us tend to have more than one kilt, sporran, etc...

[Clockwork John]

I think frugality is knowing what to invest in to buy the best and knowing what not to waste money on as it doesn't matter.

You've really captured my attitude toward life there, Jamie. There are some things you really can't afford to skimp on. Boots and winter coats are two things I can think of off hand.

I have frequently lamented over the price of quality highland wear. I'm a working class lad with bills to pay. I can't afford a handsewn kilt, or a bespoke jacket... My most expensive kilt thus far is a Stillwater Heavyweight. I don't even own a dress sporran yet because I refuse to settle for inferior quality, but can't afford the quality I'd really like to have.

I've always been inclined to buy the best quality I can afford, and maybe even push the limits of my financial comfort if the right deal comes along. I also know a good deal when I see one.

For example, I now own a black barathea Argyll, a navy blue PC, and a vintage Harris Tweed Argyll, and I've spent less than $400 combined. I found the two Argylls on Ebay, at least a year apart, and I bought the PC at a Highland Games. A vendor had one left, in my size, for $100. I might never have an opportunity to attend a black tie function and wear the PC, but at that price, I couldn't afford to pass it up.

The point I'm trying to make is that yes, highland wear is expensive, and yes, that means some of us (myself included) may never be able to afford a bespoke doublet or an eight yard kilt from a custom woven tartan, but you can get everything you need, and probably everything you want, if you are patient and prudent, and know a good deal when you see one.

Know what you want, know how much you can afford to spend, as well as how far you can push it before your wife, parter, signifigant other, or whoever holds you accaountable for that sort of thing will hospitalize you and pawn your kilt collection to get even with you. Constantly look for deals at Highland Games, on Ebay, and even here at Xmarks.

If you give yourself enough time, and you have a certain amount of luck, you can be as well dressed as Jamie, or Hamish, or any of the other fine gentlemen here... Without breaking the bank.

[piperdbh]

...I've been saving up for a second kilt for three years. I figure if I've lived without it all these years, it won't hurt to wait a little longer. Yes, it's expensive, but like others have already written, it's more of an investment and something that, if cared for, will last all my life and probably most of my yet-to-be-born children's lives.
My wife and I make cakes for different occasions, and I've put my "cake money" in an envelope marked "KILT" on my dresser. I counted it a few weeks ago and it's full enough to pay for a 4-yard box-pleat Carolina, so as soon as I get my measurements to Matt Newsome, and as soon as he can get around to making it, I'll be joining the ranks of the better-dressed rabble.
I just finished making myself some kilt hose, and a year ago made my own sporran. If you're not a "crafty" person, you probably have something you can trade or barter with, as Anne the Pleater said.