This is kind of fun!

The way I'd go about it, would be to think of what I'd wear the most. I hardly ever will wear a jacket and waistcoat, so low quality is fine. I personally, essentially NEVER wear a sgian dubh, so a piece of junk is fine with me. What will I wear ALL the time? ... The kilt, the belt, the sporran and the hose.

SO.

Top drawer? The kilt. This is just me, but of all the Highland Kit, the one thing that I appreciate the most is the kilt, itself. I suppose this is because I make them, so I appreciate them more.

Good quality ... sporran, strap and belt, but probably I would choose a more informal combination over something fancy, simply because I will wear it more.

moderate quality .... hose and flashes

average quality .... jacket and waistcoat

low quality... sgian dubh and kilt pin.

I also agree with Matt, regarding "Hey, I could make a --fill in the blank-- myself". Maybe someone figured out that they could knit really nice kilt hose, so hmmm...bump that down a notch and I'll get a nicer jacket...and so on.

But that's really more along the lines how I think and your typical newb college student might not see it that way.