After visiting numerous websites and reading most of the forum posts I’m still hesitant with making my selection for a quality traditional kilt. I could use the collective knowledge and experience of all you folks and asking for help at this forum seems to be the most logical. Although I may buy a less expensive kilt for general knock around purpose I also want a traditional wool, 16oz, 8yd kilt in the Ferguson tartan – “Tank” for special occasions etc. It will be my “once in a lifetime” investment. I would like to have the best I can afford (still considering budget). I don’t want to spend dollars needlessly yet I don’t want to sacrifice proper quality and construction. There appears to be many recommended kiltmakers on the forum and $500.00 seems to be the general consensus as a low end cost for a quality kilt. Since I have no way to compare kilts from different kiltmakers first hand any help will be greatly appreciated.

1. For the same weight, yds, and tartan hand stitched I find the costs range from a high end at about $720 + shipping to a more affordable $404 including shipping(with X Marks discount). Can there be a $300+ difference in quality in the final product from reputable stores? What?
2. Is there a noticeable or appreciable difference in fabric from Lochcarron vs House of Edgar? At Scotweb there is about an $80 difference in kilt cost between them. Would the cost be justified?
3. On a 36” waist with a tartan sett of about 13 cm (5 in) would a pleat reveal of 2 cm (3/4 in) with a depth of 10 cm (4 in) be reasonable to expect for an 8 yd kilt? (24+ pleats?) Would more be better? How many? Deeper pleat? How much?
4. Does anyone have experience with comparing the Scotweb store kilts? “Balmoral traditional” vs luxury by Manley Richardson. Considering they would be using the same tartan from the same mills there is about a $140 difference.
5. Cost has me leaning toward Scotweb especially in light of the discount and the free shipping. But how does the quality compare to the more expensive kiltmakers?
6. I have read about duty charges from kilts received from outside the US that I would like to avoid. Anyone have experience with these charges on kilts coming from Scotweb? It seems to have to do with the shipping carrier.
7. Suggestions of questions to ask the kiltmaker?

I realize I have a lot of questions but this seems the best place to learn. Thanks for taking time to read this long post. Hope you can help.

Cheers! Bill