Setting up false expectations

[Chase]

Actually, I'm one of those guys...I often think to myself, how can I afford even the smaller items, like a new sporran, or a belt, or hose...I make pretty good coin and I can't figure how to save for that Navy Edzell Rocky was advertising awhile back, and now that I see the new registered EMS tartan, I want one of those too.

Short of getting a really great deal or an inheritance, I don't see how I'm going to manage? I'm not looking for advise or sympathy for that matter, I'm just saying I'm one of those guys who thinks my passion for kilts is a tad expensive.

Chase

[dfmacliam]

I have come to realize I really only want three kilts, one tartan, one solid(saffron) and one green tweed. I want two jackets, one charcol, one either brown or green tweed, and maybe three vests. I will get a few kilt hose that will work in all the kilt combos, to be practical. I have figured I want a good pair of wingtips/ brogues but no ghillie brogues, since most pictures I see historically/ modern, few people actually wear them. ( Prince Charles, Lord Sempill, and various Scottish noteables).

I see the way Matt dresses and noted on various situations he was wearing this or that from the gift shop, or the sporran was one he had, ect.. I do get ideas from Matt's ensembles, especially his recent "chicken washer attire"...lol it showed me a casual workmans attire that was simple, functional, but still in a very good taste. ( The very reason I want the green tweed instead of the solid green kilt).

I reasoned I could have several "looks" with a few items if I mix and match them, and keep my accessories to a minimum. I do appreciate all of those who helped guide me into this "simple traditional" style I choose to endear.

[The Wizard of BC]

Matt,

I'm real glad you brought this subject up. It is something I have been trying to put into words for quite a while now.

When I first started to make Kilts it was my concept to create something that could be worn in the place of trousers with whatever was already in the closet.

But I wanted my product to look like a Kilt.

If you look back at almost all of the photos of my you see that I wear regular shirts, regular shoes, and for the most part nothing that it is normally assumed that must be worn with a Kilt.

I'm going to think about this subject for a while and then perhaps suggest to the Mods that along with our Traditional Highland Dress section and our Historical Highland Attire section that we add a modern/contemporary/dressing on a budget section. (don't yet know what a good name would be).

I'm also going to try to come up with my own version of the 10 ways to dress pictorial based on normal everyday things that most will already have in their closet.

Because I advocate the wearing of the Kilt as everyday wear I have tried to tell my customers and friends to "Wear what you already have". It has always been my guiding principal that the Kilt is just another piece of clothing. Accessories like hose or a belt, although specific to a Kilt, shouldn't have to be expensive.

[Rex_Tremende]

I think it's always important to keep in mind that this is a forum about kilts (and related topics), and not about raising children and saving to send them to college. The perspective here is always going to be a little bit distorted. As one who probably spends more time here than one ought, I feel that it's my own responsibility to do the reality check, not the contributors. Nevertheless, the occasional pinch in the arm can't hurt.

Regards,
Rex.

[KFCarter]

I'm going to think about this subject for a while and then perhaps suggest to the Mods that along with our Traditional Highland Dress section and our Historical Highland Attire section that we add a modern/contemporary/dressing on a budget section. (don't yet know what a good name would be).

Excellent suggestion. I think this would be a valuable and very useful addition to the forum.

[dfmacliam]

I found my niche...lol Thanks Steve!

[kennethrmc]

As to the original posting, I say "Huzza!" In every enthusiast forum there will be the tendency (likely unintentional) to encourage the coveting of more & better items. It is good to post occasional reminders of economic and practical reality.

[Detroitpete]

Thanks Matt!

Bad pun coming..but I'm not one of those who tries to keep up with the 'joneses'. One, not every look or tartan is for me and two, I have a budget to live by as well. I've been wearing kilts for a few years now, primarily at first for highland games, then pub going, then out with friends...slowly wearing kilts for different occasions and just because I feel like it. I'd like to be able to wear kilts daily for work, but right now I don't think that's a possibility.

I LOVE the pictures that folks here post of all their new toys, but I don't get bit with the envy bug. I'm happy for them. I have 9 kilts and the most I've paid for one is just over $120.00. Although I have a handmade Newsome in the works for a VERY special reason--it's taken me years to get to that.

I'm happy with my Stillwater Standards for my 'dress kilts'. Jerry has most of the tartans I like to wear--still hoping he'll get a Prince of Wales someday. For my bashing about I wear Sportkilts and SWK Economy's.

I'm stuggling with deciding to buy a Breamar or Argyll coat with vest for more formal occasions and the cost of $200.00 is a bit scary for a cheap one--yet I spend $300.00-$400.00 for a suit and not think of it.

We CAN be kilted well without breaking the bank--I'm proof--or at least well enough for my wife to tell me I look great when we go out. (What guy needs more, eh?)

I guess the whole thing balances on how much patience someone has and do they see this as a "get things now" or do they see wearing kilts as something they'll do for the rest of their lives? If you see it in the long run, then they'll be time and money for the bright-shiny toys when/if you need them.

Matt--keep up the posts--I love seeing the new things at the shop.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Didn't mean to insult you Mr. Newsome. Unknowingly though, it seems I may have opened a discussion. I just admire all of your photos and assumed you had a closet the size of a house. I have read and understood this thread and feel better about my purchases thus far.

:-) No worries. I wasn't insulted at all. In fact, it's rather a compliment, I suppose, that others think I dress better than my actual means might allow.

[Dall_Piobaire]

I am poor... (read single dad with two little boys that live with me...) AND I am currently unemployed.... for 60 bucks I was able to go out and get enough material (4 yardsx60 wide each of black and of green poly/cotton canvas and thread and pins etc etc) to do 4 kilts found me a NICE old sewing machine at a garage sale for 10 bucks and away I went....

So yea if your not afraid to jump in and do it yourself, you can have fun(atleast I have fun making new things and learing new skills) and not run yourself more into the poor house then you already are....

Now just to find a decent sporran LOL

I am also a single dad, though my two teens live with their mom, they are often with me and my shild support always comes first. It takes a huge budget just to feed my son!

I had to leave my job several years ago, due to my vision, and get by best I can. I returned to piping out of love, but realized it could become a, though small, source of income. Despite what some talking heads would have you believe, being on desability is not fun at all, and the child support I pay comes out of that. The problem, as with any entreprenureal enterprise, is it takes money to make money! People in the market to hire a piper expect a certain look, and that look is not cheap, and it has to offer variation.

Now, all that dribble aside, like many other's here I am sure, I have a champaign appetite, but a bottled water budget! That said, I have never once felt that anyone here pushed anything, or tried to make it seem as though your status depended on what you wore and how much it costs. I think most have always tried to offer help as far as finding bang for the buck.

We have become used to the cheap, mass maufactured clothing that we can buy at Khols or Target. Good, quality craftsmanship is worth it weight in gold, tends to be unique, lasts longer, and carries with it the unique energy of the craftsman, as well as it's owner.

Now, I don't need forty gazillion kilts, but there are things I do need, and want, that cost more and I have to swallow really hard. I just do what I can when I can. What's worth having is what is worth waiting for! I will always try to support those such as Matt, or Cavscout, or tyger, to name just a few. They, and the other independent folks contribute something special, and in this day and time, I am sure it is a struggle for them as well.

Heck, most of the cost of the kilt is the material, think about what the kiltmaker contributes in relationship to what they get for what they do!

JMHO
Scott