IDEAL v. BUDGET

[Jock Scot]

There has been some good ideas floated already and I would not argue with any of them. However there is another way of looking at this, it may not be popular in this modern day and age of instant gratification, but if looked at in the long term it will work out the cheapest way. Gentlemen save your pennies ,wait,save more pennies and wait again. Whilst waiting do your homework and then buy the best. Forget all this cutting corners with cut down this or that, forget the 5 yard cost cutting kilt, forget making do, forget the buying of umpteen kilts, umpteen jackets, umpteen kilt pins, umpteen bonnets, umpteen sporrans, umpteen kilt hose and the list goes on. I am not at all sure the sponsors will like me saying this, but they are in business to sell to us all, whatever they can and as much as they can at a given quality that the customer is prepared to afford-------- that is how they make money and there is nothing wrong with that. But for me, I want to look in my wardrobe and see one or two things that may well be expensive, but I know they are the best and will last many years, decades at least. I do not want to see a wardrobe full of whims and fancies that work out even more expensive than I dare think, in the cold light of day!

[dowofbuchanan]

ill make my list later as it is rather late but, unless one of you guys wants to commit a felony theres alot of us regular guys and a few of the mods that aint gettin a seal skin sporran.


edit. somehow the word guys became guess ... guess it is late

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

ill make my list later as it is rather late but, unless one of you guys wants to commit a felony theres alot of us regular guys and a few of the mods that aint gettin a seal skin sporran.


edit. somehow the word guys became guess ... guess it is late

You know, without risking time in the pokey, genuine seal skin sporrans, fully legal to possess, are available on the used market in the USA on a fairly regular basis. Sure, they aren't cheap, but they are there if you look.

[McMurdo]

ill make my list later as it is rather late but, unless one of you guys wants to commit a felony theres alot of us regular guys and a few of the mods that aint gettin a seal skin sporran.


edit. somehow the word guys became guess ... guess it is late

Funny
I thought this was the Ideal for Traditional Highland Wear, as such I answered with Sealskin. You really must remember this is an international forum, some of us are not beholden to the Marine Mammals Act of 1974.

[dowofbuchanan]

Funny
I thought this was the Ideal for Traditional Highland Wear, as such I answered with Sealskin. You really must remember this is an international forum, some of us are not beholden to the Marine Mammals Act of 1974.

im fully aware that it is international, and that you are in canada where the seal trade is alive and well, and that hamish and jock are in the uk where it can be purchased without second thought. i actually pointed it out incase any of the non us posters forgot or wanted to give a suggestion for a sporran choice on the same level as a silver/seal combo. infact the op is a us citizen and would have to get his seal second hand. i dont use the term american ... i dont like it ... after all what continent are canada and mexico on, or brasil for that matter.

[Ancienne Alliance]

McMurdo says that the kilt itself is the one area not to scrimp on, if you get the best quality you can afford it may well last you the rest of your life (...)

Jock Scot recommends that you save your pennies, wait, save more pennies and wait again (...) and then buy the best (…) in the long term it will work out the cheapest way.

I will have to agree with both these gentlemen.

I can well understand the eagerness to go out there kilted and show it off to the face of the world. It’s a fact that you can always sell your cheap sporrans, sgian or kilt pins on @bay and gradually replace them…

But I wouldn’t recommend that with the kilt.

It’s just darn to expensive (and symbolic) to fool around with…

You can ask English Bloke … it is an expensive lesson to learn!

Best,

Robert

[Panache]

Panache was lounging in his library enjoying a gin and tonic and one of the darker works of William Sakekespeare when his butler informed him of a visitor. The young man, obviously distraught, explained he had come for advice. "Certainly dear fellow, please have a seat and explain your problem" said Panache motioning him toward a comfortable chair. The young man said "I need to have a highland outfit for my wedding and my wife wants me to wear a kilt on our honeymoon. I need a formal outfit and a day wear outfit. A rental is not an option and I am on an extremely limited budget"

Panache thought.

"Do you have some skill in sewing? Or have a friend who does?"

The young man nodded.

"I assume that you can manage with dress shirts, bow ties, ties, and such without my aid?"

The young man nodded.


"Then I recommend the following..."


And here is what Panache recommended

1. The kilt

Stillwater Kilts, their Heavyweight Model (let's assume Black Watch tartan) $130

http://stores.channeladvisor.com/Sti...Watch%20Tartan

The standard length of 24" might need to be hemmed and a few simple modifications to the underapron and first pleat will make it hang better)

Also purchase a pair of matching tartan flashes from Stillwater for $5 (total $135)

2. Shoes, daywear

Target

Brown simple Oxfords $30 (total $165)

http://www.target.com/Cherokee-Teddy...&searchSize=30

3. Shoes, eveningwear

Target

Black dress shoe $34.99 (total $200)

http://www.target.com/Merona-Ramiro-...&searchSize=30

4. Hose, daywear

USA Kilts Wool blend kilt hose

http://www.usakilts.com/store/cart.p...uct_detail&p=4

2 pairs (bottle green and navy blue) $40 (total $240.00)

5. Hose, eveningwear

From the Scottish tartans Museum Gift Shop 1 pair Lewis Hose (charcoal) $48

Also 1 pair of traditonal garter ties in tartan red $24 (total $312)

http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/hose_lewis.htm

6. Sporran, daywear

Buzz Kidder Rob Roy Sporran from USA Kilts $60 (total $372)

http://www.usakilts.com/store/cart.p...t_detail&p=268

7. Sporran, eveningwear

Chrome Cantled Economy Sporran from the Celtic Croft $65 (total $437)

http://www.kilts-n-stuff.com/Highlan...me_cantle.html


8. Jacket and/or waistcoat, daywear

Tweed Jacket conversion (per XMTS instructional threads)

Second hand stores typically have a number of tweed jackets for sale for under $10, including dry cleaning we will put the price at $30 (total $467)

9. Jacket and/or waistcoat, eveningwear

Tail coat and waistcoat conversion (per XMTS instructional threads)

Used from a second hand store or ex rental. Budget $120 including cleaning and buttons (total $587)


10. Belts

From Stillwater Kilts

Brown leather embossed kilt belt $34

http://stores.channeladvisor.com/Sti...0with%20Buckle

Black leather embossed kilt belt $34

http://stores.channeladvisor.com/Sti...0with%20Buckle

One thin (1/2" wide) plain brown ladies belt for use as a day wear sporran strap, new or second hand $10 (total $665)

Use the chain that comes with the Buzz Kidder sporran for your formal outfit (it will be better quality than the one that will come with the formal sporran) and pick up a simple black sporran strap from Stillwater Kilts for $11 (total $676) for when you use your cantle sporran with your tweed jacket.

Total $ 676 (not including tax)


"Assuming that the tailoring on the kilt and jackets were done well (and that the jackets were well chosen for conversion) the above items allow one to dress well for most occasions.

When finances permit you should purchase

a handsewn kilt (though keeping SWK Black Watch one as it would still be a usefull asset for one's closet).

a black argyll kilt jacket and waistcoat (for occasions where the PC style coatee is too formal and the tweed jacket not formal enough

and good quality fur or leather sporran"

The young man, far less distraught thanked Panache and walked to the door. He stopped and paused there before leaving

"What about the sgian dubh and kilt pin?" he asked

"Surely you must leave something for your bride to gift to you on this special day?" said Panache with a wink.

"Of course" said the young man who then adjourned.

Panache, his work done, resumed reading of kings, ambition, and witchcraft whilst happily sipping his G&T.

Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

[Panache]

I didn't bother to list my ideal outfit because I think that we here on XMTS have a wonderful sense of "The Good Stuff"

Let's face it, there is nothing like a bespoke item made for you!

It doesn't matter if it is kilt hose, a jacket, a kilt, shoes, or a sgian dubh.

What I proposed above was a way acquire a solid collection of items that will fit in well with other people in highland attire who will be wearing bespoke clothing and not look shabby in comparison.

My goal was to offer frugal solutions to one on a tight budget who wanted to wear highland attire in a variety of situations. I also wanted these items to be useful for the owner even after they were able to afford nicer things.


There certainly are cheaper options (for instance buying a Stillwater Standard acrylic model kilt instead of the wool heavyweight). However the Heavyweight (especially with a few simple modifications) is going to look a LOT more like a traditional hand sewn kilt. It will also last and look good a lot longer than the acrylic one. Likewise, the Buzz Kidder sporran might not be the cheapest day wear sporran out there, but it will last for years and look good.

You will notice that I didn't choose a fur dress sporran to go with the formal outfit. I did for two reasons.

First, I strongly feel that the inexpensive leather ones with cantle look a whole lot better than the fur ones

Second, the leather one will work with outfits with the tweed jacket where a fur one would be a bit too fancy.

While it would be a cost savings to skip the Lewis hose and the traditional garter ties, I feel that nice hose really make a formal outfit work.

But consider how many people spend $$$ on a bespoke kilt, a beautifully made PC coatee, a fancy sporran, and brightly shined ghillie brogues to ruin everything with really cheap and thin kilt hose? Sorry traditionalists of XMTS, but to me white hose isn't the problem, cheap hose are! The better quality hose will help people noting that one's shoes are simpler (though a good polish will make them look far better) The red traditional garter ties will be a nice touch with any outfit.

Lastly, I didn't bother with the kilt pin or sgian dubh because they do make great (and easy gifts) and frankly while they are nice touches, they don't contribute that much to an overall outfit.

Cheers

Jamie :ootd: