Why does a kilt cost what it does? (re-hash for new folks)

[cavscout]

Keep in mind also that tartan from Mill A could, and likely will, have a different appearance and hand than the same tartan from Mill B. Thread thicknesses can also vary the sett size between mills. These differences can effect the number of orders each receives for a tartan. For example, the following Fraser Hunting Ancient tartans from Locharron and Marton Mills. A 22 lb. difference in price. Both are double width within about 3".

[slohairt]

Oh, of course it will. The same sett is almost always different. But to some people that probably isn't a concern. 22 lbs. difference? (That's really heavy! )

[arrogcow]

It has to do with the weight of the fabric as much as anything else. Suits aren't generally made from 16 ounce wool, kilts quite often are. A fabric that weighs twice as much per square foot will, inevitably, cost a whole lot more than its lighter weight counterpart. It also has to do with scales of economy (see Matt's posting above). Mills probably run miles more solid (or striped) fabric than they do tartan, hence another reason why wool tartan costs more.

Let me re-state. I've seen 16 oz Solid Worsted wool for under $20/yard. And I understand about special runs of tartan, but BW is still over $60, really?

Adam

[Barb T]

The issue of look and feel of a tartan is actually important. Marton Mills weaves fine tartan, and it costs less than Lochcarron's tartan. But I like the feel of Lochcarron tartan better, and they do a better selvedge, in my estimation. If the tartan is only available from MM, I'll order from them. Otherwise, I prefer to order from Lochcarron. Ultimately, it's up to the customer if there's a choice.

[slohairt]

I agree, the sett size, selvedge, and hand are very important, but that's probably more important to you and I than to the average person shopping for tartan. I like to give people a choice as well but they sometimes only see the vast difference in price, which is understandable. Marton Mills is coarser and their selvedge seems to vary in quality depending on the tartan. My personal favourites for 'feel' are Dalgliesh's F/1 and Strathmore's W60. It's just too bad the former is only available for custom weave and the latter in 13 oz.

[Alan H]

Let me re-state. I've seen 16 oz Solid Worsted wool for under $20/yard. And I understand about special runs of tartan, but BW is still over $60, really?

Adam

Maybe you should start a business! Do you think you can produce Black Watch at normal retail sale in 100% heavyweight worsted wool for $15 a yard?

GO for it!

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Let me re-state. I've seen 16 oz Solid Worsted wool for under $20/yard. And I understand about special runs of tartan, but BW is still over $60, really?

Adam

Keep in mind that Lochcarron (and other tartan mills) are primarily in business selling tartan cloth to kiltmakers to make kilts. In that context, solid black, or solid saffron, or any other solid color for that matter, in heavy kilt weight cloth, is indeed "rare."

Think about it. How common are solid black kilts compared to tartans like Black Watch or MacDonald?

The answer is apparantly common enough for the mills to weave it, but not so common as to keep a whole ton of the stuff in stock at any given time. And hence the "rare" and "select" pricing.

[Tim B]

This is when I stopped complaining about the cost of a kilt...

1. Bought Barbs book. Bought some stock fashion wool plaid (not the cost of tartan but wool is wool), straps, thread...sat down to make my own....

2. Family didn't see me for three days.

3. Family heard language they had never heard before whilst ripping out my umpteenth row of stitches.

4. Couldn't straighten my fingers for a week.

5. For a short period of time had fashion plaid stitched to the tail of my shirt. (see item 3, above.)

6. Saw plaid and smelled wool when I closed my eyes and went to bed.

I enjoyed the DIY project and ended up with a kilt that I was proud of and it didn't look too bad. I still enjoy making my own kilts...

But, WHATEVER a ture kilt makers charges, it's well UNDER what they should be paid!

My grattitude and admiration goes out to the "pros".

[wvpiper]

It costs so much b/c it isn't a commodity. Not anyone can do it, properly at least. It takes skill, or else you end up with something like this kilt for sale on ebay