Falling markets and the effect/affect to the kilt.

[Jack Daw]

Also Matt Newsome and Barb Tewkesbury.

T.

Yes, there was certainly no intention to take away from their craftsmanship. As a matter of fact, I hope to rely on the former's skills in the near future.

[NewKilt]

Although we've been talking about buying fabric in Scotland and having the kilt made locally, I think we also need to remember the kilt makers/sellers that pay to advertise on XMarks since there advertising dollars support the success and membership growth of this wonderful website.

Over the last 2 weeks I've purchased an Ancient MacRae Hunting wool kilt from Stillwater, and a polyvicose semi-traditional Isle of Skye from USA Kilts. Fortunately I had the money to do so. Just my 2 cents worth. I could have bought the Isle of Skye in a 16oz wool 8 yard machine sewn from scottishkilts.net for about the same money due to their current sale. I knew this before I made the Isle of Skye purchase, but elected to support Rock and Kelly.

Darrell

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

While kilts may be cheaper for those outside the UK, the cost hasn't dropped within the UK-- the pound is still a pound. What may happen is a shrinking of the domestic (ie: UK) kilt market with the result that cheap kilts will be hit the hardest, while the established quality makers will suffer the least.

So when is the best time to buy a kilt? Just as soon as you have the money to do so. Despite whatever fluctuations the economy may take one thing is certain. Kilts were cheaper ten years ago than they are today, and in ten years time they will cost even more.

[Nanook]

While kilts may be cheaper for those outside the UK, the cost hasn't dropped within the UK-- the pound is still a pound.

The dollar is high not due to confidence is the U.S. economy or fiscal stability but due to demand for dollars to feed losses on margin positions. Current strategy to tackle the crisis will lead to an intended significant depreciation of the U.S. dollar against all major currencies. Political pressures, however, too in the EUROzone should act to try to downwardly realign the EURO as well but probably with a higher level of stability and at a level higher against the U.S. Dollar than we are currently seeing. Most analysts think that the dollars current strength is a "last gasp" before its renewed fall. What is clear among all the uncertainty is that heavy deficit spending--- a lot of it unproductive but politically unavoidable (Citicorp, GM etc.)--- and inflation are on the agenda.

What may happen is a shrinking of the domestic (ie: UK) kilt market with the result that cheap kilts will be hit the hardest,

I don't agree. During economic downturns fashion markets move in both conservative and price sensitive circles. Highland dress tends to be perceived by the market as neither conservative nor inexpensive but as a fashion luxury. The 1930s, for example, saw a shift to practical day clothing. Men's clothing turned to more simple less tailored cuts with wide shoulders. The brightly patterned knitwear that was so popular in the 1920s fell out of favour to more subtle colours such as drab browns, grays and light blues. Trousers got cuffs and gray flannel became extremely popular.

Highland Dress, on the other hand, is a bit dandyish.

Contrary to what a lot of thoughtless people seem to believe, dandyism is not even an excessive delight in clothes and material elegance. For the perfect dandy, these things are no more than the symbol of the aristocratic superiority of his mind. Thus, in his eyes, enamored as he is above all of distinction, perfection in dress consists in absolute simplicity, which is, indeed, the best way of being distinguished. What then can this passion be, which has crystallized into a doctrine, and has formed a number of outstanding devotees, this unwritten code that has molded so proud a brotherhood? It is, above all, the burning desire to create a personal form of originality, within the external limits of social conventions. It is a kind of cult of the ego which can still survive the pursuit of that form of happiness to be found in others, in woman for example; which can even survive what are called illusions. It is the pleasure of causing surprise in others, and the proud satisfaction of never showing any oneself. A dandy may be blasé, he may even suffer pain, but in the latter case he will keep smiling, like the Spartan under the bite of the fox.
....
Fastidious, unbelievables, beaux, lions or dandies: whichever label these men claim for themselves, one and all stem from the same origin, all share the same characteristic of opposition and revolt; all are representatives of what is best in human pride, of that need, which is too rare in the modern generation, to combat and destroy triviality.

Dandyism to quote Baudelaire again "appears especially in those periods of transition when democracy has not yet become all-powerful, and when aristocracy is only partially weakened and discredited".

while the established quality makers will suffer the least.

Many have already been beheaded and most are aging. Downturns in the economy have tended to be poison to the Scottish textile industry.

Kilts were cheaper ten years ago than they are today,

Not really. There are a lot of cut price tartans from closed mills, closed factories, obsoleted army stores, cheaper more automated production and Asian knock-offs flowing into cheaper kilts. Most kilts today have some bits done on machines and many of the "kilt companies" on the high street have adopted much more rational (assembly line) techniques. That all said a lot of Highland fashion companies and public subsidized projects have closed their doors since 2000.

[Standard]

As for me, looking into my next kilt purchase at this very moment. Even in these depressed times there is no arguing with the value of a quality handmade kilt.

[Larry124]

My local brick and mortar (non-chain) guitar shop is going out of business at the end of the year.

After 54 years.

Reasons likely include consumer disposable discretionary income or credit, store rent (including local government and schools property taxes), heating oil and other utility costs, state sales tax, and Internet sales. And perhaps the acquisition and maintenance costs of on-hand inventory.

Also, baby-boomer guitar players are ageing, and the succeeding generations just do not include as many guitar players.

The difference (I hope) with the kilt is that the younger generation might increasingly introduce themselves to kilts via contemporary and economy kilts and eventually discover more traditional kilts. The Internet may be good for this process because I don’t think that a kilt shop in every town is likely to happen.

The unknown is what will happen in the near and middle future to the market for high-end clothing of all types.

Political leaders (of all persuasions) routinely make supportive economic policy and tax policy and trade policy promises to “Main Street” and to “Small Business”.
And to consumers.
We’ll see. Or not.

[Big Homestead]

Thanks everyone for your input!

[NewKilt]

Nanook,

I really enjoyed reading your well organized, and well thought out post. I think that the global economic crisis that we are facing will most certainly have a negative impact on the mills as well as the kilt makers.

If we could take a cross section of kilt buyers, including XMarkers, those of us who purchase kilts are going to be hit buy the same unfortunate repercussions as any other consumer. We will still wear our kilts, but may put off that purchase of a new 8-yd, 16 oz, wool kilt that just a month ago we fully intended to buy. Indeed, it could even work in reverse, in that we try to sell off some of our most expensive kilts, because the money is needed in order to pay the rent, or meet some other expense.

I'm not trying to spread gloom and doom - just trying to look at the situation realistically.

Darrell

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Well argued, Nanook, although I really don't agree with much of what you've said. But then that's part of the "science" of economics.

When referring to "quality kilt makers" I wasn't referring to the Mr. Geofferys of this world, but to the bespoke end of the trade. It is true that the last 20-30 years have seen a number of these shops close, but the usual reason is a lack of people willing to learn the business and carry on the trade, not necessarily a decline in customers. In economically "down" times those who have money continue to consume products, be it bottles of champagne or hand sewn kilts. The only difference is that I tend to go through a lot more champagne in a decade than I do kilts!

As far as the cost of kilts being cheaper ten years ago, well last week I paid about GBP 125 more for a kilt from Stewart Christie in Edinburgh (my tailor) than I did for my last one bought from them in 1998. I'm sure my next one will cost even more.