Got the King Kilt

[bubba]

Mike, it's grand that you can do that. It is simply out of the question when you're paying off 14K in medical bills.

[Jimmy Carbomb]

Mike... nice to type to you too!

The distinction in what is termed here as a "traditional" is still not completely grasped by a few folks. It's REALLY quite simple!

In the modern terms of a "Traditional" kilt, that's one that's made with the standards, materials, care, methods and heritage that has been handed-down for YEARS. I wouldn't care if it was made by an Amish woman in Lancaster County... as long as the material, methods, and quality was there! There's a MASSIVE difference in the quality when you have these "tanks" side-by-side with some of the pretenders. What you're having made may be exactly THAT!

There's no Kilt Police here. There IS a "truth in advertising" conscience that is looming over the board. These guys are GREAT, and they deserve the truth in what's out there. When the distinction over the difference is obtained, they will know what we're talking about.

Price does not matter. You can get a "tank" from a rental shop (if you're lucky) for a good price. You might even find one at an estate sale. There's no need to spend a load of money!

Origin of manufacture does not matter, as long as it's done "right".

QUALITY DOES MATTER. That's FAR from a knock on any of the kilts that are out there. There are traditional-looking kilts available from a LOAD of companies... and that's GREAT. Just buyer beware that they're NOT the hang, drape, material, weight, pleating, consistancy or ruggedness of the ones that we discuss when speaking of Pipe Bands and such.

It's NOT some eliteist attitude, but a distinction that buyers NEED TO UNDERSTAND. We're not sharing this information to pretend to be some "kilt heirarchy"... but to educate those who are either new to kilts, or would like to know the REAL differences in what's out there! Don't expect the performance and quality from anything else.

Hope that clears-up what the threads and distinctions are INTENDED to provide?!

[Mike1]

Bubba, I certainly understand that position. You are not alone in that situation, trust me. Been there more than once, myself. And I am definitely trying to brag about what I am spending, because it took a LONG time to save that much. But, just once, I splurged and bought the DeLuxe, instead of the Econo. And even if it is not a great kilt (traditionally speaking, of course ), I still consider it to be traditional. Another fellow might not, but it just isn't THAT important, aye?

My point is that life is far too short to take some things too seriously. In my way of thinking, you take as much pride in wearing one of your own kilts as I will take in wearing something that I paid much more to own. And that, my friend, is a point to your side! Because you will have many, many more dollars for more kilts and more whisky! As for me, well, I will be that financially-challenged guy in the brandy-new kilt with a huge smile on his face.

Peace,
Mike

[bubba]

HA! You mean more money for the medical establishment. I guess if Jimmy insists on reserving the traditional catagory for nothing but tanks and Hank is agreeable, so be it. It isn't worth fighting over. It just sets up a catagory I won't bother to read. Making my own already has the budget stretched pretty hard and if they aren't good enough to be considered traditional in any way by someone else I'm not gonna lose any sleep over it.

[RockyR]

I think the distinction between modern and traditional as set up on this board is appropriate. Most of us reading will find the hand sewn wool sooner or later as the ones some call the "only traditional" and Most will figure out pretty soon what others consider the "More Traditional" But go back farther in history and we won't find them to be the "original traditional" either. So who cares? Style and construction is the issue to this Scot, I don't care if it's "the most traditional" or not.

No doubt in my mind that a more traditional wool kilt hand or machine sewn is a far nicer better hanging kilt then my Amerikilt and I hope to get one as soon as funds permit.

I hate to see these little disagreements here at X about an issue that we won't resolve. It becomes a religious battle of what one kilt is over another. I would rather we spent the time in the construction, quality, service of the makers, style, colors, what to wear with them. Etc. and....

..in Graham's case what pajama top to wear with it while sleeping :P

[bubba]

John, I gave up when I realized no matter what I make somebody is going to complain it ain't traditional. Even when it is made traditionally it might not be a registered (read hyperexpensive) tartan. Somebody will always nitpick and get nuts so to heck with it. I'll wear what I choose and let somebody else lose sleep over it. Since all the fuss I don't even read the Traditional thread anymore.

[akaussie]

Hey Bubba, be proud of the kilts you make!! I still am trying to pluck up the corage to attempt to sew my own.
At the end of the day "tradition" had to start somewhere thius means you could say that the particular way you make your kilts is traditional to you and your family. We have started a tradition in our family this year. My grandpa died late last year and Dad has got his skein dubh (I think thats how you spell it) and is going to put it into a display box and it will be passed down from generation to generation in my family.
When I think of traditional in kilts I think of how the kilt is made. not so much that if its hand or machine sewn, I mean number of pleats, pleat depth, presense of darts, underpleats etc,
To me that is the difference between the traditional style kilt or the contempry.
Cheers to all Andrew