Cheap SOB eyes are opened.

**MuffinMan** · 30th January 09, 04:16 PM

As you all know I going on a cruise and trying to put together on the cheap a formal outfit. I went down to Arizona Kilt rentals, a store people here recommended with my SWK Saffron standard in tow to see what kind of deal I could get with his used merchandise. First he took a look at my kilt, his first words (if you could understand is Scottish accent) that even though it said arcylic it was a wool kilt, cheap sheep a$$ Pakistian wool but wool none at less. He called acouple guys from the back and everyone agreed that it was a low quality wool kilt, score for me! He had me try it on for him to see what he was working with and thats where things went bad. The kilt was made badly and the under apron was longer than the front, so he had me pull it up said I would have to wear a belt to hide the flaw, from front to back again it fit very poorly. He told me I had a find day kilt but with the construction and obvious wear he would not wear it for a formal function. I ask to see his wear and my jaw dropped over the quality of his rentals.
There is no way I could even come close to match an outfit of his. I would look so silly and Cheap if anyone was at the function with a true PC and tank.
So now I have to come to grips that if I want to wear a kilt to Formal night I will have to rent from him. He offered a great deal, $220 for 12 days full outfit with 4 prs of socks so I could wear it every night to get my money worth. My wife and I truly believe he was not selling me a bill of goods just to rent, I figure the entire outfit new was well over $1000 so it was a deal. What does a Cheap SOB do now. I wonder how many pennies are in the penny jar.

MM

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 30th January 09, 04:34 PM

Look at it this way-- you've got a reasonable knock-around kilt, something that you don't have to worry about if "things happen". It also sounds as if your man at Arizona Kilt Rentals is a decent enough sort of guy to do business with. Why don't you see if you can get the rental to apply to the cost of purchasing a complete outfit?

Like Cajun Scot, Jock Scot and others have pointed out-- a quality kilt is a real investment and will last a lifetime. Now you know why.

**Spartan** · 30th January 09, 04:35 PM

MM,

You got a good deal! I recently rented a tux for our son's wedding. It was about $175 just for the weekend.

Assume that you won't be needing my formal sporran?

BTW, what tartan for the rental?

**BroosterB1** · 30th January 09, 04:56 PM

Ah, yes the "old drive home the luxury car" trick. Once you have driven the best you will not settle for less

, and that rental becomes SOLD!

Find out a head of time what the deal is going to cost if you weaken.

..oh and plan on an equal amount for the wife...

Motto: Never get into a knife fight with a swordsman.

**MuffinMan** · 30th January 09, 05:16 PM

Frank he has four tartans to rent, I like the look of Scotland the Brave his site is http://www.arizonakilts.com/ I will have a month or so to decide.

MM

**ronstew** · 30th January 09, 05:33 PM

MM, have you cruised before? Nowadays the formal nights on many ships are observed by a very small minority. You might search the boards at cruisecritic.com to learn how formal your particular ship is likely to be. It is a great web site for meeting people too.

**Derek Conley** · 31st January 09, 12:48 AM

Originally Posted by ronstew

MM, have you cruised before? Nowadays the formal nights on many ships are observed by a very small minority. You might search the boards at cruisecritic.com to learn how formal your particular ship is likely to be. It is a great web site for meeting people too.

I managed to go on two last year. Granted, they were Carnival cruises (I've been quite happy with Carnival overall) and I wasn't expecting much turnout at "formal night", but truth-be-told, I still found myself mortified as to what folks were considering "formal" on that ship.

On the 2nd cruise, then, knowing formal night wouldn't be quite as formal as I'd liked/hoped, I wore something a bit different (me on the left, with my good friends). Oddly enough, it went over well.

Anyways, for this year, I have a few planned and I'd like to wear my kilt/Argyle/waistcoat!

**MuffinMan** · 31st January 09, 09:25 AM

Yes I have been on several cruises and know that there are alot of variety in formal styles. The main reason I want to look spiffy is the profession pics being done around the ship that night. SWMBO (She Who Must BE Obeyed), takes this oppertunity seriously for our yearly family pics. Thanks for the offer of help to buy me a formal sporran, but I am just a Cheap SOB, not broke, but I apoligize on the assumption that a stranger would just part with a valuable piece. Stupid question number 53, if I rent do I go with a fly plaid too, or will that be over the top?

MM

**pastorsteve** · 31st January 09, 10:53 AM

Not to dissuade you from Arizona Kilts but most Cruise ships have formal rentals that include Kilt sets. You might look on your cruiseline's web site and see.

**Spartan** · 31st January 09, 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by MuffinMan

Yes I have been on several cruises and know that there are alot of variety in formal styles. The main reason I want to look spiffy is the profession pics being done around the ship that night. SWMBO (She Who Must BE Obeyed), takes this oppertunity seriously for our yearly family pics. Thanks for the offer of help to buy me a formal sporran, but I am just a Cheap SOB, not broke, but I apoligize on the assumption that a stranger would just part with a valuable piece. Stupid question number 53, if I rent do I go with a fly plaid too, or will that be over the top?

MM

If you're going to be formal, why not? At least for the photo op.