Opinion column from the Scotsman: "Kilt police should stop pleating about shops"

[beverlonian]

[QUOTE=McClef;329270]

But it's not only that, it's the instant gratification afforded by the off the peg kilts. Perhaps the more "traditional" shops should be thinking of fighting back on the same terms and offering a range of off the peg, genuine, made in Scotland kilts. Of course they can't compete on price but they can compete on quality and having items that buyers do not have to wait for."
QUOTE]

I once broke a journey south from Aberdeen to call at Kinloch-Anderson in Leith in order to buy one of their Breacan kilts only to find the range available 'off-the-peg' to be VERY limited and the salesman most unhelpful. Needless to say I'll not be calling there again.

[Warlock]

So whats wrong with a $50.00 kilt, or any kilt under $400.00/ I work hard for the money I get, after taxes, bills, groceries, and neccessities. there is darn little money for frivolities. It must be nice to be wealthy.

[macwilkin]

So whats wrong with a $50.00 kilt, or any kilt under $400.00/ I work hard for the money I get, after taxes, bills, groceries, and neccessities. there is darn little money for frivolities. It must be nice to be wealthy.

Not all of us who own "expensive" kilts are "wealthy" either. In my own case, I have saved for my kilts; sure, I don't get the "instant gratification" factor, but as my frugal Scots grandmother always taught me, "good things come to those who wait" and "buy the best so you won't have keep replacing it."

Regards,

Todd

[McClef]

I'm not registered for the Scotsman so can't post a comment but I'm surprised nobody's fed the troll in the first post which looks like a wind-up by someone in the Scotsman office in the hope of drumming up some comments. Real Scotsmen don't need to wimp out by wrapping themselves in trousers.

It didn't take me long to register Alex. Unfortunately there are some anti-kilt people around in Scotland as the comments on the article about the school kilts showed.

So whats wrong with a $50.00 kilt, or any kilt under $400.00/ I work hard for the money I get, after taxes, bills, groceries, and neccessities. there is darn little money for frivolities. It must be nice to be wealthy.

I don't think anyone has said that Beuth Sim. It was to do with honest labelling. Naturally budget will be a factor. For years I couldn't afford a really good one. I tried to put in some balance by challenging the traditional industry too.

[Mike1]

Not all of us who own "expensive" kilts are "wealthy" either. In my own case, I have saved for my kilts; sure, I don't get the "instant gratification" factor, but as my frugal Scots grandmother always taught me, "good things come to those who wait" and "buy the best so you won't have keep replacing it."

C'mon Todd, when it comes to wealth, we know you're rolling in it.

I agree with what you are saying, but I think that we also might point out that all of the items on our 'Want List' end up being prioritized, as well. There's nothing wrong with a $50 kilt, if that is what you want to wear. Nothing at all. And if you prefer a kilt of a higher quality, then you have to prioritize that desire. If the kilt means that much to you, then you won't spend the cash for that collectible that just popped up for sale, or that new video game you've been wanting, etc.

Using the figures supplied by the U.S. Census, I earn a slightly below-average income. I live in a five year-old home, drive a five year-old vehicle, spent the last eleven years as a single parent and still have the funds to visit Scotland on a fairly regular basis. Yet I managed to save the money for a kilt that cost considerably more than $600. So the concept that only a rich person can afford a higher-quality kilt is just plain silly. It's all about priorities.

[IEScotsman]

I agree with what you are saying, but I think that we also might point out that all of the items on our 'Want List' end up being prioritized, as well. There's nothing wrong with a $50 kilt, if that is what you want to wear. Nothing at all. And if you prefer a kilt of a higher quality, then you have to prioritize that desire. If the kilt means that much to you, then you won't spend the cash for that collectible that just popped up for sale, or that new video game you've been wanting, etc.

...Yet I managed to save the money for a kilt that cost considerably more than $600. So the concept that only a rich person can afford a higher-quality kilt is just plain silly. It's all about priorities.

First of all, this is very well said. It's odd that we even have conversations where the "instant gratification factor" arises. What happened to patience and priority?

Anyway, I agree with McClef that the article failed to address the main point: truth in advertising. Where are the so-called "Scottish kilts" made? If there were tags in them stating "Made in USA" or "Made in Scotland" or "Made in Pakistan", it would do a great service to the consumers so they can make an educated choice.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I, for one, think this Scotsman article is ridiculous. For one thing, it completely misses the main point that was made in the article from the Scottish Tartans Authority.

The STA has nothing against inexpensive kilts. In fact, in a sidebar in the article, they stated so quite plainly, and admitted that there is a place in the market for inexpensive, off-the-peg kilts. Are you going to want to wear one with your Prince Charlie jacket to a wedding? No, of course not. But if you want a kilt to play rugby in, or need a cheap kilt for your kid to wear, it might be just the thing. In fact there are a whole host of reasons why you might decide to buy an inexpensive kilt -- and unless you are a very gullible shopper, you should realize that the quality you get will be much, much less than the higher priced hand tailored kilts.

What the STA's problem is -- and this was explicitly stated in their article -- is that certain merchants are selling "kilts" imported from Asia as "authentic Highland kilts" and misleading the tourists into thinking they are purchasing a genuine made in Scotland product. And this, their main concern, was not even mentioned by the Scotsman article. Not once.

If you are going to attack the STA's position, at least attack their actual position. Or is journalism in Scotland as bad as it is here in the United States?

The STA is made up largely by members of the tartan weaving industry, it is true. And also quite a number of tartan academics. And it has quite a large individual membership, as well of interested people. And it watches out for the interests of its membership. Why shouldn't it?

Let me put it plainly. The STA is not out to promote one tartan company over another. It's membership is made up of woolen mills that compete with eachother for your business. It's looking out for the tartan industry as a whole.

And if people are led to beleive that some cheap, acryllic, made in Pakistan, machine sewn, ill fitting "kilt" is representative of tke kinds of products that the Scottish woolen mills and kilt making firms are producing, it is quite unfair to their image.

If you go back and read the original STA article again, all it is asking is that you call a spade a spade. If the kilt was made in Scotland, then label it made in Scotland. If it was made in China, then you should be required to label it as such. A lot of people who buy the cheap kilts in question are doing so as a souvenier of their time spent in Scotland. They have the right to know that the "kilt" they just bought was not made in the country and does not represent "authentic Highland" dress, despite what is claimed on the label.

Aye,
Matt

[McClef]

Excellently put Matt!

I note that the comments section on the Scotsman site has been closed after only four entries.

Could it be because they didn't like the criticism?

I once had to do a course in how to deal with newspapers when I was on the NEC of my Union. One of the things newspapers go for is conflict and it was therefore consistent that they would go for the conflict angle and ignore those areas which were not in dispute. That way they can present it as whinging sour grapes from the STA about the success of the Gold Bros type shops and the economic effects upon their members.

When my late father (an actor) advertised Heinz soups in UK TV ads, he and the lad playing his grandson were interviewed for an article by the Sunday People. By careful manipulation of the facts they managed to turn it into a story about my father stealing the lad's affections from his own grandfather.

Conflict again.

[Cawdorian]

Very well said Matt, In my opinion kilts should be plainly labeled with the type of material, the country of origin of the material and the place where it was manufactured.

Making the investment is a 13 oz or 16 oz Scottish wool kilt is just a matter of setting priorities and goals, a custom tailored wool kilt is a lifetime investment. I wear my kilts frequently to many events and want a kilt that looks good, holds the pleats and wears well. IMHO the Scottish Wool Kilt is the only way to go.

[RockyR]

I agree with everything Matt said as well.

If you'd like, draw a comparison to USAK. We offer $100 kilts (and $230 kilts) on our site. Are they Scottish? No. Are they Made in Scotland? No. Are they made of UK material? Yes. Are they mostly registered tartans? Yes (and the ones that aren't are noted). Do we claim that they're wool? No (we describe exactly what they are).

THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THEM or the people who want them. They are getting a fair product for a fair price (imho). They are accurately described and we TRY not to be misleading about them on our site at all.

Notice that we don't try to say that they're "Designed in Scotland" or anything like that. We "know our place" in the kilted world and don't try to be something we're not. We have a "model comparison guide" to compare the different levels of kilts we offer. At no time do we say that a casual is an "authentic wool kilt designed in Scotland". We describe our kilts exactly as they're made.

All that being said... we're proud members of the STA and stand behind Brian's comments 100%. He knows who we are and what we offer. We've had several discussions about this topic (especially since the article came out) and he has not once insulted cheap kilts to me, as long as they are marketed as "entry level" or are otherwise labeled correctly.

When I go on vacation, I am spending my hard earned money to relax and enjoy myself and ALSO to support the economy of the place I'm visitng (yes, I actually think in those term since I'm a business owner in a small and growing business district). I want to know that I've helped support locals so that they can continue to bring joy to others down the road. If I go to a place the THE ROYAL MILE, steeped in history and culture, I want to support that culture with my money. I expect to see some "trinkets" along the way, but would like to buy "made in Scotland" products to help their economy.

If you stop looking at the "race" issue or the "cost of kilts" issue for 1 second... ask yourself this:

Why DO they label things that way? Why don't they just be honest and label things "made in pakistan"?

The answer is simple... they wouldn't sell NEARLY as many. So, is it ethical to try to trick people (b/c that's what they ARE DOING) into thinking their product is made in Scotland?

Again... there is no problem with cheap kilts... it's with the way people are mislead into thinking they are buying a product that is made in Scotland.