I can't help feeling that there are two standards here (and I am not referring to Nick's diatribe, but a to the writings of a number of Xmarks members over the years.

It seems to be fashionable here to trash anything coming out of the east, however wearable and however acceptably made. On the other hand, if it is made in USA, of equally non-traditinal materials, than it is wonderful.

I have bought kilts of both origins.

One with the "Scottish design" label, is fine and has had plenty of use. It is surely "mixed fibres", but the feel and appearance are acceptably wool-like and it hangs well. After a couple of years, the stitches are still in place, and the kilt has kept its shape.

Another kilt, from across the ocean, had to be sent back, it was so poorly mounted. The manner in which the upper half was stitched up bore no ressemblance to the careful tapering of a traditional kilt. It was remade and returned to me. It still did not look or feel right. I finally unstitched the whole thing and made it up again myself. It is all cotton, feels and looks good in summer.

If you are, or have been, in Edinburgh, you may well know what you are talking about, and be rightly saddened that more cheap kilts are bought than good ones. If, however, you live the other side of the Atlantic, I wonder how accurately you can make comparisons.

Note that I am thinking more of the quality of the workmanship than of the fabrics used.

Are we taking our loyalties a little too far sometimes?

Martin