Disapointed With an 800 Dollar Hand Sewn.

**Dreadbelly** · 7th September 04, 01:16 PM

Note: This is not my kilt.

I had a chance to get up close and personal with what I reckon was meant to impress me. A local clothing shop that also deals in very expensive kilts got one in for a customer and before the customer came to pick it up, I was able to get a look at it.

I was NOT impressed. The pleats, all crooked. Some pleats didn't look to sharp or crisp either. There were some lose threads that needed to be snipped. One of the straps were sewn slightly crooked. The manager of the store flashed me a salesman's grin and said "Just look at the quality!" It was a 20oz wool in the Stuart tartan. Came with a chintzy looking badger head sporran, along with a belt and a sporran strap. The kilt was bad enough but seeing some poor dead animal killed for no good reason was also upsetting.

Several of the casual kilt makers here that also make some very sharp and dressy kilts looked a heck of a lot better. Most notably, Bear Kilts and USAK. I have only seen pictures, however, I was not moved by the idea of spending 800 bucks on a "hand sewn traditional."

While I am not sure if this is the right forum section to post, I do have a question. Have some of the well known casual / traditional kilt makers that we all know and love online spoiling us with total perfection? I have only seen pictures of some of the wares offered, but, I had to restrain my self from going "BLECH!" right there in the store.

I know there are better handsewn, but, really, it seems to me that most of the casual kilt makers around here already make kilts fit for a king.

**RockyR** · 7th September 04, 03:43 PM

Thanks for the praise Dr. D! I know that even being compared to an $800 "fresh off the boat" Scotish kilt is flattery, much less what you said. I thank you, sir.

**David Woodington** · 7th September 04, 03:50 PM

One bad apple.My traditional hand sewn Kilt is beautifull and was slightly over 400.00 U.S..So I wouldn't lump tham all together because of this one bad one.Did you see who made it? If this is the quality of his maker than of course avoid them.But I'm sure there are many here that can tell you how nice their traditional kilts are and who made them.
And as far as the casual kilts go I have two Utilikilts and my traditional. I feel they all have their place.

hope you find what you are looking for.
Dave

**Dreadbelly** · 7th September 04, 04:32 PM

Lochorannon or Lochordannon something like that. No idea how it is spelled. Sadly, this kilt was made in Scotland.

This kilt was for somebody's wedding.

The old style traditionals are nice. Don't get me wrong. I have seen pictures of some very nice ones. This was, as stated, one bad apple. But it got me thinking.

Are the kilts being offered now, the new models with new innovations, going to become the new traditionals? 20 years from now, will things like "Bear Cut" and Rocky's "Philabeg" become the new standard? Or that guy from Pittsburg kilts, he has some LOVELY pleat work. I realize that kilts are not mainstream... But the kilt as a garmet has evolved a great deal. Look at Utilikilts and Amerikilts, both fine kilts unto themselves, but hardly traditional. Will what we have now become part of the standard? This kilt I looked at didn't even have sewn down pleats, the sales guy said it would take a good pressing at the dry cleaners now and then to keep them in shape. He really tried to sell me on buying one, even warning me not to buy from the net because those "fly by nighters" that take advantage of current fads sell "crappy kilts." A proper kilt takes upkeep and care. It's "traditional." Or so the sales guy tells me. So should a kilt be able to be tossed in a washer and hung to dry? Or worn every day? According to this chap... "Oh Heaven's no!" Kilts are far to expensive and important for day to day wear. And those "fad" kilts are flimsy and wont hold up well for day to day wear either. I realize this guy is part of the old guard, but, sheesh, he has his cranium crammed up his colon. Rocky, if you read this, I want to you know, the kilts you will be sending me as soon as my bank card arrives are going to be DAMN important. I uh, have a little contest going that my sub par 120 dollar kilt is going to be made better, have better pleats, and will generally be a better garment than this tightarse's handsewn 800 dollar POS. Only I didn't tell him that exactly in those words. I am quite articulate and polite when I choose to be

No pressure to perform or anything, but, uh, well, you have just become the spokesman for the "fad" kilts.

I just didn't like this guy's slimy attitude. And the fact he sells dead animal heads. And I really want to take him and his "Old Guard" thinking down a peg or two. It's folks like him that keeps the kilt in a closet or a cedar chest. Just another form of trooser tyranny.

**bubba** · 7th September 04, 04:39 PM

DrDouglas, the guy was trying to make a buck.....or a bunch of bucks. Chances are he bought a relatively cheap kilt and is reselling it for a ton. Not exactly ethical. Locarron is a mill. They make the tartan fabric. I don't know who might have made that kilt. It could have been anyone.

**Raphael** · 7th September 04, 04:47 PM

I bet that sales have never seen a Bear Kilt or an Utilikilt in person.

**Dreadbelly** · 7th September 04, 04:58 PM

Originally Posted by bubba

DrDouglas, the guy was trying to make a buck.....or a bunch of bucks. Chances are he bought a relatively cheap kilt and is reselling it for a ton. Not exactly ethical. Locarron is a mill. They make the tartan fabric. I don't know who might have made that kilt. It could have been anyone.

You are probably right. If that really is the case... Well, that's just so irksome.

It's a mill? Good to know. If I were a kilt maker, I would NOT put my name on this kilt. Somebody would take an expensive voyage over the pond to come kick my sorry ****. And I would deserve it. Rightfully so.

Sad part is, this clothing store is over 100 years old. They are well known and folks come from all over to buy threads from this little family business. And they do sell fine goods... Just BAD kilts. I have found sporrans (That I don't like) and all sorts of stuff here, like flashes and hose. And they sell jackets... Prince Charlie jackets and other Scot jackets... Jackets to drool over. I will give credit where it is due, the jackets are worth every penny you pay for them.

But his kilts inhale sharply.

**bubba** · 7th September 04, 05:09 PM

Those animal head sporrans are called face sporrans. They're probably the oldest sporran design there is. I kinda like em, but I wouldn't wear one. If I was sitting somewhere somebody would probably try to pet the thing.

**Dreadbelly** · 7th September 04, 05:12 PM

Originally Posted by bubba

Those animal head sporrans are called face sporrans. They're probably the oldest sporran design there is. I kinda like em, but I wouldn't wear one. If I was sitting somewhere somebody would probably try to pet the thing.

They are grotesque. I refuse to wear anything that I wouldn't eat first. And the wee little eyes... They put eyes back into those poor little faces. Eyes that stare at you with a piercing gaze, stabbing little knives of guilt into your soul.

Yuck. No thanks.