Recently in another thread where I was "showing off" some new accessories, someone commented that they wish they had my budget.

This made me chuckle a bit, because in actuality I have a very modest income, and a lot of expenses to cover before my Highland dress wardrobe.

But it got me thinking, I wonder if the tone and content of a lot of the threads here (I'm talking in general, not specifically my own) doesn't establish some false expectations to those who might be browsing the forum, just getting into the kilt-wearing foray.

Are we giving the impression to people that the kilt wearer should have a dozen kilts, a closet full of jackets for all occasions, custom hose to match each kilt, and a plethora of sporrans from which to choose?

Looking at myself, in particular, I realize that there are a few things that should be pointed out.

1) a lot of times I post pictures not just to show off a new "toy" I have acquired, but to showcase some of the products we offer through the museum gift shop. For example, look at this picture:

The only things I'm wearing in this photo that I actually own are the tie, shoes, and shirt. Everything else I am just modelling and came out of our gift shop's stock.

2) many times, in order to justify acquiring a new kilt, sporran, jacket, etc., I will sell one I already have. If one were to look through my photo album, or just search through old pictures I have posted, one could easily get the impression that my wardrobe is more extensive than it is. For example, look at this picture:

I no longer own the kilt or sporran I'm pictured wearing, and haven't in some time.

3) I have been wearing the kilt since I was about 15 years old. What I have in my Highland wardrobe has been collected over a number of years. I didn't just go out and buy it all from the get go. It's taken me quite some time to accumulate what I do have.

4) I work in the trade. I am able to purchase things below normal retail cost. This, obviously, makes it easier for me to acquire new goodies. When I was growing up, my father worked for a while part-time selling jewelry. He was able to buy things at a pretty substantial employee discount. My mother acquired most the jewelry she has now during that time. If it wasn't for my father's discount, she wouldn't have near what she does. Same thing with my Highland wardrobe.

5) I make kilts. This not only means that I can make myself a kilt for a lot less financial cost than it would be to buy one, but it also means that I have a skill I can barter in trade for other items. Some of the nicest items in my wardrobe have been traded for, not purchased. I have managed to acquire many things I could never have afforded to pay normal retail value for. Again, go back and reference No. 3. I've also been collecting my wardrobe for years.

6) I wear the kilt as my normal workday clothing. There are some on this forum who wear the kilt every day, at home or at work! When you wear the kilt on a daily basis, it is understandable that you might have eight kilts and fourteen pairs of hose, and six different sporrans.

Now, let's say you are just starting out with kilt wearing, and you only plan on wearing your kilt to certain special occasions. What should your expectations be? Should you look at those of us on this forum who have kilts in the double-digits and who buy a new sporran every month as the standard to aim for? Not at all. It is perfectly reasonable for you to invest in just one kilt, a couple of pairs of hose, a good sporran, and let that be that. Maybe later you could expand your wardrobe to include a nice jacket, and maybe two sporrans, one for daywear and one for eveningwear. And if you only wear the kilt for special occasions, such a wardrobe will probably do you just fine for many years.

If you find you enjoy wearing the kilt and want to wear it more often, then over time your wardrobe will naturally expand a bit. Keep your eye out for good deals. Save up for those nice things you really want.

But don't feel like you have to go out and buy everything all at once, or that to be a "real kilt wearer" your wardrobe has to be as extensive as some of those on this forum who wear the kilt everyday, or who have been collecting their wardrobe for decades.