Is a kilt outfit a luxury item?

[Jimmy]

After correspondence with fellow X-markers regarding wearing a kilt to work, I realised that it certainly would not be appropriate in my case to wear a kilt to work.
Currently I work with unemployed individuals who are on low income. These individuals could not afford to hire a kilt never bother buy one.
If I wore my kilt to work, it would be totally inappropriate dress where my clientele are poorly off, and certainly would not enhance my credibility with this group of people.
So do fellow X-markers feel that they are part of an elite group, especially if you owned several kilts and outfits?

[M. A. C. Newsome]

After walking through a Ben Silver store and seeing a nice tweed jacket with a four-digit price tag, I don't feel like being able to pay a few hundred dollars for a quality kilt necessarily qualifies one as "elite." Heck, I've seen blue jeans advertised in fashion magazines that cost twice as much as a good kilt!

However, I define "luxury item" as something one has because it is wanted, not because it is needed. I need basic clothing, but I want and enjoy wearing the kilt. So yes, I'd consider Highland dress a luxury (though one that thankfully many of us can afford to indulge in).

[OC Richard]

Yes I see your point Jimmy.

In my case, working as a piper, Highland Dress is a necessity, like the Tuxedo of the professional "classical" musician. It's my work clothes, the "gig suit" or "monkey suit" as jazz players call it.

I suppose it dates back to when pipers worked for Clan Chiefs and wore fancy livery, but anyhow pipers have always tended to dress up a bit. Disney (my workplace when I'm not piping) calls it "good show".

I myself can't wear kilts when working at Disney- slacks and necktie are required. And (worst of all) I can't wear a beard.

[Jock Scot]

I think that in Scotland since the 1800's the civilian kilt has always been a luxury item and shouts elitism, even these days although not so much and generally speaking, they still are over here and will be for some time to come. That is why few of us have more than one kilt. The newer and cheaper( as I understand it) kilts found abroad are generally not an option here in Scotland.Why? The mindset for most Scots goes along the line of regarding a proper kilt to be the 8 yard, hand sown, knife pleated kilt to be "the one". As we all know here, as do most Scots, how expensive that sort of kilt can be.

[Schiehallion]

Maybe wear an old faded and highly worn and weathered kilt that may have seen better days? The old friend you just can't throw out? Mind you it takes decades and more of daily wear to have such an item. Quite a problem, but I do get your point.

[Howard Clark]

I would agree with you all so far, that it is in fact a luxury item. I have made a living making luxury items for twenty two years (no one "needs" what I make).

That said, I think this is yet another cultural difference between Scotland and it's traditional, historic, and cultural views, vs. the US and our views of such things. I don't especially want to bash my fellow countrymen (and women) but we can be a bit confused about need and want, and what the difference is sometimes.

So I'd support your logic 100% Jimmy. There are times and places in the US where it is not appropriate for the same reason, though I think the awareness of kilts is in general much less here (at least in Iowa).

[Dukeof Kircaldy]

There are the cheapo viscose kilts out there which take the kilt out of the "elite" wear.

I don't wear a kilt to work because of the dress code in my profession. Instead, I wear a wig and robe. So, go figure!

[Paul]

Well Jimmy, whilst I do understand kilts are usually expensive, some are not. For all the people who you consult know, you could be wearing a £30 bargain off of ebay or a kilt from a charity shop.

I'm sure you could wear a flaunted designer suit to work, which would cost something around what a kilt outfit would.

I wouldnt consider myself elistist at all. Of course, I have several kilts and even more accesories, but people can't value something by looking at it. These kilt packages that are £750 in shops can cost as little as £400 if you look in the right places for different items. I own 7 kilts, and I've bought them all in less than a year - some expensive and some dirt cheap. Even to me that seems almost like too much for a student, but somehow I've managed to afford them!

[McClef]

Ghandi swapped western style dress for a simple dhoti because he felt he would be more like the vast numbers of his people who were in poverty.

Work will often dictate what one should wear and even where there is no dress code then circumstances can still have an effect.

I do not know the ages of the people with whom you work - it is possible that some of them own a kilt obtained during previous times of plenty or have inherited one.

But there is still that "special occasions" mentality and work is not often seen as a "special occasion."

Luxury is one of those difficult things to define. We need clothes and a kilt is an item of clothing that many of us prefer to certain other garments. Would it be seen as a luxury to own more than one pair of trousers or socks or shoes?

Of course besides the kilt there are the other accessories and one can indeed spend a small fortune upon some of these, especially the formal stuff which one would not wear to work in any case.

A casual kilted look would not necessarily indicate extravagance or elitism.

There have been old photos shared in these forums showing the poor wearing kilts - possibly hand me downs but indicating their longevity and durability.

[Inchessi]

Two of my kilts came from Stillwater, that does not put them in an elite class. In my work, I may not work four to six months out of the year. The last two years have been very bad. As a typical American, I have found ways to adapt. Second job, spot jobs (few hours here or there, weekend work) and low end purchases. The only items that I refuse to purchase low end are my work boots and safety equipment.

The two Stillwaters, I take care of, and wear to church. Along with my solid inexpensive socks from USA Kilts. My dress shoes were bought at a shoe outlet for $20. I also hit up the Goodwill stores for items that can be altered thanks to the DIY section. To make a short story long, I have put together a respectable ensemble that represents well. I am not proud of being poor, but the most beautiful woman in the world thinks I look smashing in my Black Watch. Things will get better, and then I will own a wool Campbell, and sport it with the diced Argyll socks and Prince Charlie.

I really am trying to coerce my rambling into a coherent thought. Do not be ashamed of having money. All of my clientele are that way. On the rare occasion that I work for an impoverished person, it is charity or a friend. It is noble of you to be concerned about the perception of your clients, and I applaud you for that. The decision to wear a kilt is yours, and I will not judge. I humbly offer a poor mans prospective that we can, and do, wear kilts.