Kilts, The Wise Financial Choice

[kiltedpride]

So are you all sloppy joes picking up a 99c T shirt and a pair of 45c shorts? Wow - that is style and sophistocation LOL

[davedove]

So are you all sloppy joes picking up a 99c T shirt and a pair of 45c shorts? Wow - that is style and sophistocation LOL

Well, there is some truth to that. But mainly, while some people do buy Armani suits, many more get off the rack suits at JC Penney for $200 or so.

[flyv65]

So are you all sloppy joes picking up a 99c T shirt and a pair of 45c shorts?

If my work attire consists of jeans and a polo shirt (T-shirt for fieldwork), you must recognize that $500 for a traditional kilt represents a staggering amount of money to many people here in the states. I'm not saying that spending that sort of money on clothes (such as a business suit) is foolish, but more unnecessary. I believe this is the crux of the differences between the Traditional crowd and the Contemporaries: fashion has a value all its own to one group, and is merely one criteria to the other.

Wow - that is style and sophistocation LOL

Yes, well: when it comes to style and sophistication, I'm seldom referred to as the suave, urbane gentleman in the corner. Still, from time to time I've been known to surprise. :-)

Bryan...no surprises today...

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

So are you all sloppy joes picking up a 99c T shirt and a pair of 45c shorts? Wow - that is style and sophistocation LOL

I have been resisting posting to this thread again but KiltedPrides posts appear to get ruder and more opinionated with each one. Why do you feel that your opinion on what constitutes a "real" kilt or which kilts I should aspire to or want to wear is more "correct" or valid than my own? Each of our decisions to don a kilt was driven by different reasons. Some for the tradition and culture, some because we like the comfort, and some because it is a mark of individuality and distinction from what everybody else is wearing. Just as our reasons for deciding to wear a kilt are different, so are our ideas about which kilts we like or dislike and which ones we feel are appropriate to wear for a given situation. For me, wearing a "traditional" hand sewn wool kilt that I have paid $300 - $500 for to walk the dog, wash the car, cut the grass, or hang drywall is about as likely as my putting on a suit and tie to do any of thos activities. However, I have no problem strapping on my Sportkilt for any of those. For those that wear the kilt as a comfortable alternative to trousers, and not so much because of the tradition and history, there may well be no motivation or interest in a traditional, hand sewn, 16-18oz wool kilt.

One final comment and I will end this novel. You express concern that traditional kilt makers are losing business to cheap knockoffs available at gift stores, etc., but I would point out that many of the people purchasing at a gift shop are likely doing it to purchase a souvenir and are unlikely to ever wear the kilt in public or adopt the kilted lifestyle. If by chance they do, they will quickly find out the difference in quality, fabrics, and consturction when they go to buy a "real" kilt, whether that is a Utilikilt, USA Kilt, or a traditional woll kilt from Geoffrey. The ones purchasing at the gift shop can be likened to someone visiting and buying lederhosen while on holiday, going to Japan and buying a kimono in a gift shop, or a 10 gallon hat from a gift shop while visiting Texas. Each of them will very likely be mass produced, of poor quality, and intended more as a souvenir than a true representation of the specified item. I will go one step further and also point out that they are all most likely not made where purchased, or even in that country.

Sorry for the long post! My buttons just got pushed the wrong way. Is it possible to get 1.5 posting points for thes long ones? Getting close to Kilted Samurai!

RJI

[kiltedpride]

[QUOTE=KiltedCodeWarrior]I have been resisting posting to this thread again but KiltedPrides posts appear to get ruder and more opinionated with each one.
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KP: Thanks mate ! Sorry but you obviously don't appreciate Scottish directness - that is different to being rude.
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Why do you feel that your opinion on what constitutes a "real" kilt or which kilts I should aspire to or want to wear is more "correct" or valid than my own?
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KP: Well as the owner of a website and bulletin board promoting kilt wearing of 7 years standing with over 300 pro active members from Scotland and indeed in Europe and US, I have absorbed the opinions of many over the years on this subject. I don't just speak for myself - my views are common to many.
In my opinion if you aspire to wear a kilt as a token connection to Scottish culture then I (with respect) suggest that my comments are valid. If you guys simply want to wear a glorifed skirt without the cultural connection then that is fine I have no problem with that. Perhaps these pretend kilt garments should be called something else as most definitions of "kilt' follow the lines of "A knee-length skirt with deep pleats, usually of a tartan wool, worn as part of the dress for men in the Scottish Highlands." ie it implies the traditional kilt. The term 'Kilt' somehow has been usurped by a different product.
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For me, wearing a "traditional" hand sewn wool kilt that I have paid $300 - $500 for to walk the dog, wash the car, cut the grass, or hang drywall is about as likely as my putting on a suit and tie to do any of thos activities.

KP: there we have the cultural difference where in Europe more attention, time and expense is given to what we wear. And if you recall I did mention that I used one of my older kilts for day to day activity. My point is that a well made traditional kilt lasts a lifetime so buy more than one. Have one for pubbing and 'mucking about' and 12 others for other activities. I would not wash the car in a new pair of designer jeans but evenually as the jeans got older I would not end up so doing.
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You express concern that traditional kilt makers are losing business to cheap knockoffs available at gift stores, etc., but I would point out that many of the people purchasing at a gift shop are likely doing it to purchase a souvenir and are unlikely to ever wear the kilt in public or adopt the kilted lifestyle. If by chance they do, they will quickly find out the difference in quality, fabrics, and consturction when they go to buy a "real" kilt, whether that is a Utilikilt, USA Kilt, or a traditional woll kilt from Geoffrey. The ones purchasing at the gift shop can be likened to someone visiting and buying lederhosen while on holiday, going to Japan and buying a kimono in a gift shop, or a 10 gallon hat from a gift shop while visiting Texas. Each of them will very likely be mass produced, of poor quality, and intended more as a souvenir than a true representation of the specified item. I will go one step further and also point out that they are all most likely not made where purchased, or even in that country.

KP: I don't dispute what you say here -(except your definition of a 'real' kilt in its entirety. I still say it cheapens the product and overall has an adverse affect on the quality of kilt available in the market. Its akin to the dumbing down elements of the society we live it.

[kiltedpride]

If my work attire consists of jeans and a polo shirt (T-shirt for fieldwork), you must recognize that $500 for a traditional kilt represents a staggering amount of money to many people here in the states.

Yes as I have said in another post - this emphasises the difference in the cultures of our respective countries. Young lads would think nothing of buying designer T-shirts at £70 ($125) or a pair of jeans at £125 ( $223) so given that these items go out of fashion or indeed wear out in a year or so a kilt at $500 is exceptionally good value - ye cannae whack it laddie.

[davedove]

Yes as I have said in another post - this emphasises the difference in the cultures of our respective countries. Young lads would think nothing of buying designer T-shirts at £70 ($125) or a pair of jeans at £125 ( $223) so given that these items go out of fashion or indeed wear out in a year or so a kilt at $500 is exceptionally good value - ye cannae whack it laddie.

As you say, it is a cultural difference. For instance, many people over here would rather spend $100 a year on clothing and replace it every year, instead of purchasing a $500 garment that lasts 10 years or more. Part of it is our cultures more short term outlook, and part of it is marketing.

[flyv65]

...Young lads would think nothing of buying designer T-shirts at £70 ($125) or a pair of jeans at £125 ( $223)...

It's not that I doubt your good word Jaimie-but I want to be clear on this...a t-shirt for $125? Does "t-shirt" mean something different in Scotland? I trust these aren't heavy cotton tees with a pocket over the left breast; perhaps instead made of silk and hand woven by gnomes? :-) Seriously though, are these prices based on designer fashions, the inherent cost of goods in the European market, or a combination of both?

My wife and I took an Edelweiss motorcycle tour last summer, riding from Munich to Nice over 12 days. I had forgotten since my last visit how much you folks pay for food and drinks, never mind manufactured goods, etc..

Bryan...jeans at 125 pounds? kids overseas must get one heck of an allowance (or part-time job)...

[kiltedpride]

It's not that I doubt your good word Jaimie-but I want to be clear on this...a t-shirt for $125? )...

Don't think so Bryan here a T-shirt is usually a cotton garment (like your fruit of the loom vest I guess) but the ones I refer would still be cotton but better quality, fitted and with an interesting design/ style and of course a designer label like Boss or Armani or D&G, Kenzo, etc. Hell even designer knickers (not that I wear any under ma kilt) cost $35. Speaking of which I did buy a fabulour designer leather waistcost made by Dolce & Gabbana which goes wonderfuly with the kilt (prob cost $716) but is fantastic and will last a lifetime.
Jamie

[kiltedpride]

Shall we discuss the price of thongs and jockstraps next perhaps (LOL)
Jamie