Questioning thoughts

[thescot]

All of the gentlemen writing here make excellent points. I would add one more:

With a bit of time, you will find small providers--here and elsewhere--who operate cottage industries and provide excellent products. They won't be advertsing in The Scotsman , but their quality is above reproach, and they will work with you to create exactly what you want instead of strictly off-the-wall items. But you have to find these guys and gals, and usually it takes time in the loop to discover who and where they are. Many of them are here.

For someone new to the kilt, I do not recommend the purchase of top-of-the-line sporrans or hose or other items which are easily replace with top quality later because they're just too expensive. A perfectly serviceable sporran can be had for about $25; it's cheap, yes, and will not last for 20 years, but it will allow the wearer to decide whether he wants to continue wearing the kilt. There will be time to begin the search for that perfect item which will probably outlast your grandchildren and cost a king's ransom. And the search is part of the fun.

I've been wearing kilts for several years--12-15 or so--and I am still acquiring the very best items over all. I have quite a few that I will probably sell off eventually--some failry expensive that just didn't suit--but I have learned a lot and had a lot of fun learning it over the years. Some I will keep as souvenirs of lessons learned and good times had, and they also allow for a great deal of latitude in the choice of what to wear depending on the conditions and the event. I do not want to wear a $200 sporran if there's a chance of getting it soiled or rained on. My inexpensive military version will do for that.

Good luck in your own search.

[davedove]

I don't have any problem with the cheaper kilts, as long as the vendors are upfront and honest about what they are and what they are not.

[Zardoz]

For someone new to the kilt, I do not recommend the purchase of top-of-the-line sporrans or hose or other items which are easily replace with top quality later because they're just too expensive. A perfectly serviceable sporran can be had for about $25; it's cheap, yes, and will not last for 20 years, but it will allow the wearer to decide whether he wants to continue wearing the kilt.

That's generally been my advice as well, on accesories and kilts. I think we forget what it's like to start from zero with this kilt thing.

[bdkilted]

Couldn't agree more. I started out with the custom kilt, and bought some cheaper (yes, even Pakistani) acessories. I am slowly replacing the poorer quality as it wears out with better items, since now I have a number of vendors that I can choose from. I still don't quite have all the formal outfit together, but since I rarely go to a formal event, that is OK.