Questioning thoughts

[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.

[thescot]

P.S. Like the Auld Argonian said above, I, too, am about at the end of any additions to the collection. I have three really good kilts now: two in my clan's tartan (one weathered and of the 5-yard variety for really hot weather) and one that is the Weathered Armagh to reflect my Scots-Irish blood and allow for a nice Irish break in fashion. Oh there is that really heavy Gordon from WPG for super cold weather and the wool Leatherneck from SWK, but they aren't my "real" kilts.

I am toying with a custom day sporran because it has taken me this long to find what I think is really snazzy. (See what the Duke of Rothesay wears), and I'll probably purchase a new pair of expensive cap toe shoes soon that will double for non-kilted dress shoes. But I have about everything I need for any level of dress now, and there's little need to keep buying. I could dress appropriately for a dog fight or a formal ball and not embarrass my mother.

[Lallans]

In my own case, I'd wanted a traditional kilt for years but was discouraged by the high prices I encountered. Cheaper stuff got me kilted and now I'll be spending years buying quality replacements and upgrades (and downgrades). And by the way: free enterprise, you can't beat it. One reason the local kiltmakers of my youth were astronomical in price was that they had no competition.

[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.

[piperdbh]

I could dress appropriately for a dog fight or a formal ball and not embarrass my mother.

Would she be at the dog fight?

[thescot]

Would she be at the dog fight?

WEll, Mom is a tough old bird. But if she wasn't there, she'd still not want me to "embarrass the family." Mom is kind of from the "always wear clean underwear in case you're in a wreck" school of thinking.

Of course, I'm not sure what she'd offer in a discussion of going commando.

[azwildcat96]

I took some wise advice when I purchased my first and only kilt..."Buy the best kilt that you can afford." The reason being that "You can easily dress down an expensive 8-yard wool tank, but you will never pull off dressing up a cheap synthetic 4-yard bargin kilt."

That's not to say that there is no place for the less expensive kilts. I would not want to wear a $600+ garment while performing certain activities, especially if prone to dirt, sweat, etc. A Hash House Harrier event comes to mind.

The accessories can come later, a little at a time, and as funds are available. It will also make it easy for your family to shop for you on Birthdays, Christmas, Father's Day, etc. They can just add a piece or two to your collection.

If the need arises for a formal occasion, rent a jacket, vest and sporran or whatever else for the night.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Some things are worth saving up for... the difficulty is that we live in a society which is prone to the demands of instant gratification, hence the availability of cheap (and sometimes shoddy) merchandise. In this instance one may be gratified by the acquisition of a cheap kilt, but is unlikely to be gratified by the possession of a cheap kilt. However, the desire that spurred the initial purchase remains and often leads to the purchase of yet another cheap item which in the long term still results in disappointment with the possession.

In an age where many people feel entitled to much, and responsible for little, the demand for gratification seems to outstrip the concept of true value-- be it in the construction of a kilt, or the quality of a meal.

I, for one, would never tell anyone to buy a cheap kilt because, at least in my opinion, that is bad advice. I would tell them to save up to buy a good kilt-- or a good sporran, or what ever it is that they feel they need at the moment -- because that will give them the sort of gratification/satisfaction that only comes from having "earned" something which is perceived to be of value.

I would also remind people that if you have one good kilt you only need two sporrans and two jackets to go on a pub crawl, be a guest at a wedding, or attend a formal event. Since the kilt is the lynch-pin of Highland attire, it makes sense to save up and buy a good one.

[tulloch]

I was at the Maine Highland Games this weekend. There were a couple kilt makers there answering questions and showing techniques. Look for something like that. I acquired my tank from a kilt maker who lived surprisingly close to me and the deal involved a little barter. Having a garment that is akin to a Savile Row or a Brooks Brothers and wearing it to formal events as well as on the mountain is a little worrying. I got a "wool" item from Allscottish.com that wasn't. But it was cheap and now I have a loaner for my step-son when he is in town. I don't know where it was made. I have my gut feeling but I wouldn't admit it if I were associated with it. I don't regret having it but would never get another of those.

I was lucky enough to get a repro Gordon Highlander kilt from be da veva on this forum. It is from What Price Glory. $300 American new. Wow! 22oz, can really play in this one without a care. Even $300 is a little steep but now I am set for life. No worries. Strongly recommended. I believe it might be made in Pakistan but the quality is, to my senses, really really good. I don't mind the source as long as the goods are good.

I saw a SWK synthetic that was really impressive and based on that I would highly recommend them for that. The information is here on the forum. A little research and visiting some makers will get you where you realize you always wanted to be. Good luck! If it can work for me it can work for you.

[SmokinScotsman]

I took some wise advice when I purchased my first and only kilt..."Buy the best kilt that you can afford." The reason being that "You can easily dress down an expensive 8-yard wool tank, but you will never pull off dressing up a cheap synthetic 4-yard bargin kilt."

That's not to say that there is no place for the less expensive kilts. I would not want to wear a $600+ garment while performing certain activities, especially if prone to dirt, sweat, etc. A Hash House Harrier event comes to mind.

The accessories can come later, a little at a time, and as funds are available. It will also make it easy for your family to shop for you on Birthdays, Christmas, Father's Day, etc. They can just add a piece or two to your collection.

If the need arises for a formal occasion, rent a jacket, vest and sporran or whatever else for the night.

I guess this is exactly my point. Why when new to the kilt people show up here are they not given more advice like this? Or why not steer them toward "American"/utility/non dressy kilts? If given this advice they could buy one article of clothing and nothing else.
I know personally in the 7 yrs I have only worn a kilt semi/formal 3 times. Most of us are not going to be attending balls and the like. I wear tshirts and boots with my kilts 99.9% of the time. Why does it feel like forced "traditionalism" and formality? If we really want to see the kilt worn as "normal" clothing we have to quite telling people that you have to wear, for example, a jacket(PC or argyle only)..vest..hose(better be diced, not white)..black knife(made of ebony or stag horn)..ghillie brogues..special hat(tam or any other type that no one has seen in fashion for a century). That is the whole reason UK has become known, they aren't pretentious.