I guess the answer to the OP's question lies in just how far he/she decides they want to go along the path of a traditional woolen kilt.
Casuals tend to lack the bodice size and support of more traditional kilts, 4-5 yarders sacrifice some of the "swing" effect but gain more bodice support, machine sewn 8yarders have the full bodice and lots of deep pleats for swing but give up the "air of highest quality and tradition" that a hand made 8 yarder would theoretically bring with it (depending on the kiltmaker of course). Price goes up (almost parabolically) as you climb the (percieved at least) value and quality scale, $100-175 for the casuals, 150-250 for the machine sewn 4-5 yarders, $200-400+ for the machine sewn 8 yarders (if you do your shopping around), and generally $350-750 for quality handsewn 8 yarders.
Personally I would (and did) put my mark in at the 8yd machine sewn kilt point of that curve, as giving the full kilt effect at what I consider to be a moderate price for the "amount" of product provided.
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