In praise of cheap kilts

[majdan]

Hello all,

I'm bumming. I just wrote a long post where I waxed rapsodic on the fullfilment of my lifelong goal to own a kilt and how the lower priced kilts won't in the end cut into the market for the higher end of the market. Just as I went from a King model 602 student model cornet to a King Super 20 professional model trumpet, I sure that in the end I will have a 8yard hand made tank. The lower end also allows me to get my lads into kilts before they are 40 without having to take out a loan.

I also thanked all of the wonderful folks on this forum for their knowledge, understanding, and support. I timed out before I was done and it went away.

Well that was it in a nut shell. What do you all think about all the low cost kilts out here?

[Bob C]

I have a $600 tank and an Ebay cheapie. They're quite different, to the trained eye. Most people do not have trained eyes.

Each has its place. I recently wore the cheapie to an outdoor Irish festival and did not live in fear of all the things that could damage it.

For dress or formal occasions, however, I only wear the tank.

If cheaper kilts get more guys in kilts, then GREAT!

[Mumbles]

Very good point. I have a tank and a stillwater. I'm thankful for stillwater, because as I love my tank, and I love to get crazy in a kilt. And when you have a cheap kilt and something happens to it (beer stains, tear, etc), its not all that bad.

[McMurdo]

Well I for one think there is nothing like a 16oz handsewn wool kilt, in fact up until recently that is all I owned, however prices being what they are for those garments recently I ordered a Semi Traditional kilt in Black Stewart Tartan from USAKilts, I really do like it even though it is not what the others are and not what I am used to. I am picking up a kilt this week from Canadian Casual Kilts, again it will be PV not wool there is room for both in my closet. I don't know if I would buy something lower end than the USAKilt or the Canadian Casual for myself, although I did get a Stillwater economy kilt for my nephew not to long ago and he loves it.

I am not sure if you have seen this thread but it is interesting reading on this subject:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=28025

[ccga3359]

I started out with a SWK in January 07, I now have four - two custom made. Had I not have started out in a reasonably priced kilt my kilt makers would be poorer. Cheaper kilts are the road to home.

[cessna152towser]

A kilt for every occasion. I own and wear a variety of kilts from cheap lightweight polycotton ones to 8-yard traditional tanks. The cheap kilts are great wear for working around the house and garden, or nipping out to the shops. They are also light to pack for taking on holiday, if you are staying in a decent hotel where you can't wear shorts in the dining room, a kilt, even a lightweight one, is generally acceptable at dinner.

[oldsoldier]

I JUST got my first kilt in the mail today, a USAKilt in the US Army tartan, casual style. This will be my bum (pardon the pun) around kilt, for hiking, highland games, and other casual outings. I think, when its time, I'll go into Boston and get fitted for a formal one. But, as this will put me out about $600, it'll be a while. IN the meantime, I'm more than happy with the casual kilt I got from Rocky. And, on top of that, I had it rushed, and it got here in less than a week. Not too shabby!!

[emolas]

I JUST got my first kilt in the mail today, a USAKilt in the US Army tartan, casual style. This will be my bum (pardon the pun) around kilt, for hiking, highland games, and other casual outings. I think, when its time, I'll go into Boston and get fitted for a formal one. But, as this will put me out about $600, it'll be a while. IN the meantime, I'm more than happy with the casual kilt I got from Rocky. And, on top of that, I had it rushed, and it got here in less than a week. Not too shabby!!

Sorry for the hijack but- There is a kiltmaker in Boston?

And to put the thread back on track- All I have are cheap kilts and I like them but sometime this autumn I will be getting a custom kilt.

[staticsan]

Cheap^W Inexpensive kilts certainly do have their place. Most people cannot tell from looking the difference between a US$150 poly-blend kilt and a US$700 wool kilt. Coupled with the non-tartan kilts from the likes of NeoKilt, Utilikit, USA Kilts, etc etc, they provide a good way into the scene, as it were.

I used to think the pinnacle of male dressiness was a tailored suit or even a tuxedo, should I ever decide I want to pay that much (the most I've so far ever paid for a wool-suit was ~AU$250). Now I think that a wool kilt ensemble would definitely surpass that - and I this time I actually want to find the AU$800+++ to do it. But before I get there, my non-wool, not-expensive kilts will do me fine. I'm actually expecting to get thrown into a swimming pool whilst wearing a PV kilt in a few weeks - I wouldn't want to do that in an expensive wool kilt!

Wade.

[Riverkilt]

I was taught that in the marketplace the consumer can have any two of price, quality, or service.

That said, after many years of going to highland games in pants it never occured to me to buy my own kilt. Too much money for occasional wear. I hooked on Utilikilts the first time I saw them because they were functional, something I could wear every day.

My first tartan kilts were low cost SportKilts - the unpleated gathered kind. But wearing the tartan hooked me on trying a hand sewn kilt and from there I was hooked. Went for what I consider top of the line with Kathy Lare.

I also bought four AmeriKilts, Mike makes a good product at a fair price. Not sure why we don't see too much about his kilts on the board.

Somewhere in there backtracked to a LOT of camo kilts and eventually to USA Kilts casuals and semi-trads and Freedom Kilt.

If I had to do it all over again I would have spent the SportKilt money on a USA Kilt. I would have skipped the USA Kilt Casuals for the USA Kilt Semi-traditionals. Not that much extra and higher quality.

I don't really have an interest in acrylic kilts. Not sure why, just don't.

For me, VALUE is the key - not price. I know there are other kiltmakers out there I have yet to do business with, and I mean no slight on any.

I have found solid VALUE purchasing from Kathy Lare, USA Kilts, Freedom Kilts, AmeriKilts, and Utilikilts.

And I've left out leather kilts - maybe even more expensive than hand sewn wool kilts. But talk about your solid VALUE. I own both an RKilts and a Utilikilts leather kilt. They are bulletproof. Think the strong leather in a baseball mitt. Sure, you could probably buy a dozen acrylic kilts for the price of a quality leather kilt. But that leather kilt will still be truckin' on when all the acrylic kilts have gone to polish the car rags.

Jeez, not sure any of this makes sense...point is that price isn't the standard for purchasing kilts for me. VALUE is.

Ron