Traditionals: Cost and Quality

[Jimmy Carbomb]

Great responses so far. 8)

Pretty much what I would expect too.

It seems to come down to two things:
1). Disposable income and
2). The "need" for a serious kilt.

How about taking this to the point of...

If you had the money at your disposal, what's your "perfect kilt"?

[GMan]

After reading this last night, today I went looking at the higher end department stores (Saks and Nieman's) to look at the suits available. While I was there, people were buying at both places, suits in excess of $1,000USD said it was no big deal. Of course that is high end, but it does show me that kilts are much better of a deal than suits. But I'm preaching to the choir here. Dollar for dollar a kilt is a far better deal than suits.

[richardljohnson]

If you had the money at your disposal, what's your "perfect kilt"?

Should be KILTS....One may be enough in the way of a wife BUT never enough in the way of kilts!

RLJ-

[Miah]

Hummm if money was not an object i would have a 22oz or the heaviest wool i could get in USMC tartan and have a 8yarder Pleated to the stripe. and the 1st 1/3 of the pleats sewn all the way down and just thick like the old wool blankets in bootcamp

[beverlonian]

Thinking laterally, my perfect kilt would be the one that the majority of others were wearing so that I would have the confidence to wear mine everywhere.

[Blu (Ontario)]

Here's the question:

With the horrid exchange rate now, the thing cost me about $500 US dollars. Would you pay that sort of fundage for your "perfect kilt"? If you know... what would be YOUR perfect kilt?

Here's the answer.... YES.

I have paid that much for two of my kilts and probably will again at some point.

[Xcop]

If funds were no problem, it would be kilt(S). First is an RCMP Tartan 10yard 16oz, from MacIsaac Kilts in Cape Breton and second an Isle of Skye,10yd. 16oz from Touch O Tartan in Victoria....and a Lamont from Hector Russell in Toronto.

David

[Rob Wright]

Without a doubt, i would plunk down that kind of money, actually with my measurements I payed 595$ for my 9 yard 16 oz handsewn kilt* from Lochcarron and with the exchange rate now I would be paying upwards of $750 with customs and shipping and whatnot.
I prefer wool kilts,though the Victory has made me a convert to non-traditional kilts, I have never gotten comfortable with any of the artificial materials used in clothes, they just do not feel right. Also I have always payed good money for clothes that will last, I have a 100% tan linen jacket that is great to wear when traveling, lightweight and very cool. I have shirts that I've had for 5-7 years that still look great. The old adage is true, you get what you pay for.

* Whoever sewed my kilt did a magnificent job, my waist measurement is 2 inches bigger than my hips and the way they sewed the kilt to fit me is amazing, the buckles are nice and snug, no sewing to fit the waist and then just letting it hang down, its fitted to my hips as well, and like Jimmy says these kilts are bloody tanks!

Rob Wright

[Rufus]

Okay, here's my dream kilt. It would be a 16oz wool traditional kilt, possibly in the Irish Diaspora tartan. It would be handsewn with love by an older couple named Gertrude and Benjamin. Of course, they would go by the shorted names Trudy and Ben. After years of sewing kilts by hand, Trudy's hands will have developed a severe case of arthritus, but she continues to sew, because "this kilt is for Rufus, and he deserves it." Ben is beginning to develop cataracts from all of the squinting at tiny stitches, and is awaiting surgery at the end of the month. Trudy and Ben know that this is the last kilt that they will handsew before they retire, and so they put extra loving care into the process, making sure this is the finest kilt that they have ever produced.

When it arrives, I am flabberghasted at the beauty and quality of this amazing kilt. It is then that I notice that instead of normal thread, they have sewn it using pure gold produced by the fabled Rumplestiltskin himself. When I put on the kilt, I magically look thirty pounds lighter, and my biceps look twice as big. The pleats swing so well, and are so sharp, that I occasionally cut tomatoes by throwing them in the air, flicking my hips, and letting the pleats do their work. Of course, the kilt magically repells stains of all forms, and I never have to wash it since it always smells just like my favorite cologne.

Oh yes, this would be my dream kilt.

[Jimmy Carbomb]

Okay. That's a "perfect kilt" story Rufus.

Dude... pass the bong!