lesson in cheapness

[Brett]

FWIW, I did act upon the lesson, regarding cheapness, when getting the jacket tailored.

The tailor is an older Italian gentleman who is the go-to guy for highland wear alterations as reccomended by the local highland shop.

He told me there were two options for shortening the sleeves, 1) simply turn over and 2) remove cuff, shorten sleeve and replace cuff. The first option was much cheaper, but would shorten the cuff.

The second option involved more time and labour cost, but maintained the proper cuff length. He suggested the second option as the wise course of action and, having learned my lesson, I agreed it was the way to go.

[Panache]

FWIW, I did act upon the lesson, regarding cheapness, when getting the jacket tailored.

The tailor is an older Italian gentleman who is the go-to guy for highland wear alterations as reccomended by the local highland shop.

He told me there were two options for shortening the sleeves, 1) simply turn over and 2) remove cuff, shorten sleeve and replace cuff. The first option was much cheaper, but would shorten the cuff.

The second option involved more time and labour cost, but maintained the proper cuff length. He suggested the second option as the wise course of action and, having learned my lesson, I agreed it was the way to go.

That was money well spent as the end result is one that you will be pleased with and enjoy for years. Had you gone the cheap route it wouldn't have looked as good and would always bug you when you wore your new jacket.

Cheers

Jamie

[creagdhubh]

My grandfather said it best:

"The stingy man pays the most."

Hahaha! Nice!

[Chas]

I was once told this lesson for life - "Learn the difference between what you want and what you need".

We all want lots of jackets and lots of accessories, but if we only wear a kilt once a month, how much do we really need?

If you need a jacket for only six to eight hours a year for a Burns Night, hire one don't buy it.

For the majority of us, our body shapes will change in the next ten years. Anything you buy today, will be uncomfortable by then and need replacing.

We should all go through the Burns Night pictures in the "Show us your pic" section. Don't look at the member, but rather look at the people around them. How many ill fitting jackets do you see? How many waistcoats that are three sizes too small? There will be one of each in every thread - guaranteed!

Each of us must make up their own mind, but I know that what I need is far less than what I want.

Regards

Chas

[david30101]

Since were on the topic of vehicles.. First off Im a mechanic so ido all the work on my vehicles when needed. I own 2 of them. One is a 94 with 205.000 miles in mint condition, been driving it for 11 yrs, payed 3k for it with 139K on it.The other is my "baby" , parents bought it new in 72, I took my driver licence test in it in 79, drove it through the rest of my adult life untill 11 yrs ago when I got the 94. It tows my boat, which is 20 yrs old and payed for (bought new). This vehicle in question??? A 72 IH Travelall 4x4 3/4 ton. Runds like new and has a good body, it has over 300K on it. I still drive it several times a week despite 4.00 gal gas. I may be paying more for gas, but im making up with Insurance and tag fees (25.00 yr for tags) and 25.00 month for insurance (300K liability). Yea, i belive in having a vehicle till the wheels fall off..

[ForresterModern]

Jamie, my favorite part is the icing. But everything else I agree with 100%. My approach is tempered with the rule that there is always a right tool for the job, and if you have that tool it makes the job easier (and safer and faster), although you can get the job done with some other tools that are close enough for government work.

As for transportation, my job carries the responsibility of caring for others, whenever and where-ever necessary, and thus my priority in auto choice is reliability and all purpose functionality so an SUV. I have kept cars/trucks for up to ten years but still never turned an odometer over 100,000 miles, always selling them within 6 months of a major repair of significant cost, so as not to have to suffer the inconvenience of the next one that will most certainly follow. It is not as if my life depends on my transport, but someone else's might, and my livelihood certainly does.

Each has his/her own priorities, and their own version of percieved "thrift".

[cdarwin]

I acquired a very nice Harris Tweed sports coat from another member here on the forums not too long ago. It was a steal compared to the same thing brand new. It was pretty close to fitting well, but I'm a little slim and took it to a great tailor and spent twice what I paid for it here to get it fitting perfectly. Fair enough, it fits and looks amazing now and still I've paid less than I would have on a brand new one. I must resist the urge spend still more on it for a conversion. I've got a nice formal-ish kilt jacket and a less formal thrift store sports coat conversion. You guys are totally enablers (and I love you all for it)

[MrShoe]

Jamie you are spot on once again.

I like the way you differentiated "cheep" from "inexpensive"

[CMcG]

I am cheap..........very cheap.

...

I recently purchased a very nice black argyll jacket for dressier functions. I looked around online for quite awhile and purchased an off-the-rack jacket from one of the sponsers here. It is a really nice quality item and I am very happy with it. It also saved me quite a bit over having one custom made.

You may be cheap, but not that cheap. By purchasing a new jacket directly from a retailer, you have done the equivalent of buying a new car from a dealership! From retailers, it is best to purchase their ex-rentals. Even cheaper still would be to get your kit on eBay, craigslist, or kijiji. Not as convenient, but there are plenty of high quality, second-hand kilt items out there. It's a lot like buying cars, really.

In the end, if you are satisfied and paid less than custom, then it's all good

I'm wondering who your alterations tailor is? When I get back to Toronto, it might be helpful to have a link for someone who is familiar with Highland attire...

...
And they won't notice your sgian dubh at all.

I agree with everything you wrote Panache, except the bit about the sgian dubh. Almost every time I kilt up, someone asks to see my mine!

[creagdhubh]

I agree with everything you wrote Panache, except the bit about the sgian dubh. Almost every time I kilt up, someone asks to see my mine!

Me too!