The expense of kilts!

[MacSpadger]

When you have worn the same kilt for over 30 years and it still looks smart, then the initial outlay will not seem too much.

[frank_a]

OC Richard, that is a great story. Part of my stinginess is that I too am a DIY kind of guy. I am a hobbyist welder, carpenter, plumber and electrician. Initially I started doing stuff myself because I couldn't afford to hire it out, then it became one of "If that guy can do it, so can I(and maybe better!)." Over the years I built my own hot rod frame and pieced together a hot rod mostly from junkyard stuff, most recently I bought an old smashed classic tunnel hull speed boat and rebuilt it, along with a vintage outboard to go on it. I have bought cheap and renovated a couple of vintage travel trailers, although the latest is an '83, and expanded our pole barn this past year and then enclosed it this year. All these things I do with cash. I am a firm believer in cash for toys (and I would put kilts and kilt-related attire in that category). Credit is for houses and cars. So this new addiction will be financed by cash as I go. Again, retirement is right around the corner, so if I'm going to get suited up, now is the time!

For both you and Jock, while I have considerable Scot ancestry, I never inherited anything related to kilt dress. My dad may have, but he was a great one for pitching stuff he didn't want or need (including stuff of mine when I was in college!). I have no interest in formal dress for anything, so some hose, flashes, a decent belt and buckle will do me for now. I have lots of cotton turtlenecks and a wide variety of sweaters that will go with Black Watch or Ancient Campbell. Last night I fitted my sporran, so at least now I can use what I bought in the package deal weekend before last.

Soon as I get some cooler weather garb on, I'll post some more pics and see what folks think.

Again, thanks for the wonderful stories, perspectives, support and encouragement. Ya gotta love the internet...

Frank

[Tobus]

I see Argyll jackets on ebay that aren't too dear. (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gents-ARGYLE...item2a20b4a618) How does one measure for sizing a long distance jacket purchase?

I've had good luck with eBay on finding traditionally-made, good quality jackets from Scotland. It it still going to be a bit pricy compared to buying a thrift-store jacket and converting it, but the difference between having "the real deal" and a conversion is worth it. Don't get me wrong - I started off with two converted jackets. But I finally decided that they just didn't look right and wanted proper kilt jackets. So I looked and looked, and finally found several of them that were bargains.

As for measuring, well, it's not rocket science. The auctions will usually tell you the size, or at least the measurements of the jackets. You should already know your chest size and sleeve length. Those are the two most important ones. If you aren't sure, then grab some of your existing blazers or suit coats and measure the sleeve length and armpit-to-armpit dimensions for reference. Then find a jacket on eBay that's comparable.

Worst case, if you end up with a jacket that doesn't fit you exactly, you can spend a few bucks at a local tailor to have it altered for a better fit. Yes, it requires spending money, but that's the nature of the beast, so to speak. You just have to decide whether it's worth it to you to pay what it costs to wear good quality (albeit second-hand) traditional Scottish attire or make-do with thrift store conversions. It's just a matter of setting your own personal cost/value standards, as I'm sure you know.

[creagdhubh]

By the way Scots are canny which means careful not stingy. I know many of my ain folk who would give you the shirt of their back provided you earned their friendship and good esteem. They may be slow to warm to strangers but once you have their friendship, you have a real friend for life.

So true, Peter...so true.

Cheers mate,

[Alan H]

You know, I'm someone who does NOT downplay the worth of less expensive kilts. Like Chase, if I hadn't bought a Stillwater acrylic kilt first, for $75 I would not have dipped a toe into kilt-wearing waters and made the 40-something kilts that I've now made, nor laid out the several hundreds of dollars I spent on getting a kilt made by M'Lady Chrystel. Also, while some lads go on and on and on about how that lovely wool kilt is JUST the thing for tramping around in the wilderness in, because after all the Scottish Regiments did it...well, I don't know about you, but I'm not keen on snagging my $450 kilt on some thorns and tearing it...or dropping a plateful of backpacking food on it when the log I'm sitting on shifts.

I entirely see the logic of having a couple of kilts... A.) one or two really nice ones for "dress up" or at least for situations where you want to look nice and you want to wear top-quality kit. B.) something significantly less expensive, and probably machine-washable for times when you're going to be out doing activities which might be dirty or sweaty, or potentially hazardous to your kilt. Purists may hate Stillwater and Sportkilt, but I happen to think that they have a place.

I wouldn't go backpacking in the Sierra Nevada for a week in that $450 Capercaillie kilt from M'Lady. However, I'm quite happy to go backpacking in the digital camouflage, cotton/polyester kilt that I made for about $15. I wouldn't wear the Gray Stewart kilt that I made while supporting my wife's family, while her mother took a week to die...made with thread and leather and buttons and buckles from Mom's sewing chest....on the athletics field to throw weights and hammers and stones. Are you crazy? I'll get the thing soaked in sweat, and probably covered in chalk and pine-tar. However, the budget, washable wool/polyester 6-yard Lindsay kilt that I made with leftover fabric from the X-Skirt manual project works just fine for that.

Both have value. A sportkilt is not a piece of trash because it won't last 90 years and be worn by your great grandson. The way I see it, "value" lies in whether the object performs the function for which it's intended, well. So think about what you intend this kilt to do, and buy accordingly, keeping in mind that X Marks the Scot is HEAVILY stacked with great guys who are staunch traditionalists.

[frank_a]

Thanks Alan, great advice sir. This thread that I started has been a big help to me, and has helped to think things through. I've been happily married more than 38 years, in large part due to the respect we both accord each other, and the way we communicate regarding purchases. I am able to make a bit of cash on the side that in general I can use how I want. That is where cash for the next kilt will come, and I expect it will be from USA Kilts.

My wife is quite a seamstress, but has little time to do it now because of the demands of her day job (stretching into evenings and weekends!). I only mention that because when she bought her last machine it was a very high quality one, but I was thinking that maybe she could use it for upholstery, so urged her to get the next step up. Bottom line is we have a very sophisticated sewing machine. Next year I hope to convert a spare room in the house to a music, reading and sewing room. Maybe I should learn to sew eh? I'm good at welding...

Frank

[Alan H]

Next year I hope to convert a spare room in the house to a music, reading and sewing room. Maybe I should learn to sew eh? I'm good at welding...

Frank

Frank, if you can weld, you can sew. True Statement. Go to the DIY forum, download the X - Kilt manual and print it up. Go get some inexpensive cotton/polyester twill. Then make a kilt.

I wrote that manual for guys like you and me. It's written in guy-talk.... not "sewing talk". You won't see words like "seam allowance" in there. If you can draw lines on a piece of plywood, then cut it out by cutting along the lines.....if you can use a simple power tool, then you can make a kilt.

Truth. --> Proven HUNDREDS of times by guys on X Marks, not to mention the HUNDREDS if not THOUSANDS of non-XMarks -linked downloads.

[frank_a]

Alan, would you be so kind as to provide me a link to this manual? I am interested. I can see if I took this on, it would have to be days I wasn't in my shop rebuilding another outboard for my vintage speedboat. My hands would be all greasy!

Thank you sir!

Frank

[Mikilt]

I am a thrifty fellow by necessity. In order to buy the very best kilts I can afford, I make all the accessories that I possibly can. I buy tweed jackets at second hand stores and convert them to kilt jackets, I dye my own socks and my sporran straps are second hand narrow ladies belts bought for $0.50. I taught myself to sew and made a wool vest for the cost of a pattern and material. Being a kiltie and being thrifty is possible. It can be done.

If I had the money, I'd invest in proper accessories before I bought another kilt, but I am happy with my kilts and my ability to accessorize.

[frank_a]

Never mind Alan, I found it, I found it! Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy...

Thank you sir!

Frank