Popularising Kilts by Bringing Prices Down

[GlassMan]

Thanks all for your comments. I'm just looking for a cheap casual kilt for loafing around in; the three kilts which I currently own are all serious quality kilts which are too good for nipping out to the shops or sitting around the house and garden. On another thread, the kilts made by Mercy, although aimed at the punk/goth market, seem to have had a more favourable reception on this forum and despite their cheap price and use of cotton/polyester, seem to look like a more accurate representation of the male scottish kilt, so I may decide to get one of these, which at £24.99 seems a reasonable buy for the money. The McKilts come in around the same price and sounded tempting as they are marketed here in Scotland (some of the tourist shops in places like Edinburgh and Fort William stock them, compared with the Mercy kilt which seems to be only available by mail order) but from what I've seen and read I don't think the McKilt would pass muster.

If you really want a reasonably priced kilt that actually looks good, checkout Stillwater Kilts Economy line.

[Colin]

They look like cheap Pakistan kilts. A lot of the tartans are just not "right" in terms of colouring. If you want a cheap kilt for just knocking around, go for a Stillwater or a contemporary one like Freedom Kilts (utility is good for kicking around when there is a pocket for the remote ).

Seriously though if you want a kilt for kicking around, don't go for the cheapest option. Spend a bit extra and get something you would still be proud to wear out and about. Don't fall victim to the "hey look how cheap these Sportkilts are....." scenario.

[Hamish]

Well, it looks like you guys have got the message!

I have seen these 'kilts' in the 'tourist-trap' souvenir shops around Scotland, particularly in Edinburgh, and they are absolute rubbish - I'd not buy one to use as a cleaning cloth for my car!!

Just look at the photos: there is no shape because the pleats hang from the waistband; the pleating either to sett or stripe is non-existent; there is little attempt at alignment of the tartan - need I go on?

The website is that of a wholesale company which is looking for new retailers to take the line. I doubt they would sell a single kilt to an individual at retail level ............, but on the other hand, if there's a fast buck to be made.....!

At least they are honest in stating that they import their goods, but do not let on exactly where they source them - almost certainly it is from the Pakistani or Eastern European sweat shops.

Yes, these are precisely what the long-established, genuine kiltmakers are up in arms about - not because of the ridiculously low retail prices but because of the damage that is so quickly done to the fine reputation of those master craftsmen by the sales of such trash to unsuspecting tourists.

[Manu]

I guess all these posts can be summarized in a single sentence...stay away from these rags!!!!! Stillwater is definetely far better choice than that, or maybe Amerikilts for instance.

[MacMullen]

They say they're lowering the cost of the kilt, but I didn't see a price on their site, other than the 500 pound setup fee for ordering 500 kilts.

Not that I'm going to order one. After all, I'm married to my kilt maker.

Just curious as to how much trash is going for these days.

[cessna152towser]

Thanks for all the advice, folks, you convinced me the McKilt would be no good. As recommended I had a look at the Stillwater Economy but they didn't have my size available in black and delivery could also have been an issue as I live in Britain. So I then put a bid of £19.99 on a Mercy kilt on e-bay but within a few hours two other bidders had bid it up to over £36 - proof of demand for men's kilts if the price is right. I then found another one in my size, XL, 40" waist, 24" drop, on e-bay buy it now for £24.99 plus £5.95 postage, so took the plunge. It arrived this morning. This looks like a real Scottish kilt with the overlapping apron at the front; the fringe on the right; plenty of pleats along the back; three buckles all in the right places; loops for a kilt belt; even a cheap kilt pin thrown in. I could have done with being able to tighten the buckles another notch as it's marginally too generous round the waist but will stay up fine worn with belt. It hangs nicely to mid knee (I'm 5 feet 9 inches tall.) It looks really smart, but the material is cotton/polyester and is very light - as someone whose only kilts have all been pure Scottish wool until now I would have felt as if I'd forgotten to put my kilt on if I had dared to venture outdoors wearing it on a frosty day like today. I suspect the apron and pleats will need ironing from time to time to keep them looking neat. This is a garment I'm looking forward to wearing on a hot summer's day - will be able to wear it for business instead of trousers and for casual wear instead of shorts. Scottish kilt makers need have no fears; this is a lightweight summer garment which I'm only likely to wear on a warm day when I would otherwise not have gone kilted.

[Nick]

Just using "Mc" beginning doesn't make a shop really 100% Scottish right?

You mean McDonalds isn't 100% real authentic Scottish food?

;) ;)

[davedove]

You mean McDonalds isn't 100% real authentic Scottish food?

I remember a line from the movie "Time After Time" with Malcolm McDowell (he plays a time travelling H.G. Wells) when mentions he had lunch at "that Scottish place.":mrgreen: