new pet peeve

**sathor** · 25th July 09, 03:24 PM

I realized I have a new pet peeve while at the Celtic festival in Dayton.

I hate the sellers of generic kilts.

Don't get me wrong, my first one was generic, and I saw the vendor of it, and talked for a few sec with them, and I even almost bought a new sporran strap, but my kid was getting grouchy. I am not 100% happy with that kilt, part of it is the way the owner talked and misinformation he gave.

What really bothered me a booth with a big Utilikilt banner. I saw some interesting tartan in that booth, which was a surprise, I didn't think there were such things as tartan UK, let alone sub $100 ones. I asked, and they told me they were not UKs, they were imported. I asked about the maker, and finally got 'Pakistan' out of them. They even had knock-off UKs from Pakistan.

Don't get me wrong, I know Jerry gets his from there as well. And he puts his label in them. (Well, he probably pays them to do it, but if I have a problem, or a friend that wants one, it's easy to hunt Jerry down.) I don't mind store brands, if the vendor would have said 'private label for us' I could have accepted it, but they didn't want to answer such a question.

I did have one other kilt shop there that slightly bothered me, a local place with a real presence, I saw a Buzz K kilt there, and the way it felt when I touched it.... anyways, it was under $150 (I forgot the price) and I was tempted. When I went past later, I mentioned that there wasn't anywhere really to try them on, and the statement that just worried me was "If it fits on top of the one you are already wearing, it is the right size."

Now, I am no expert, but I would think that putting a second kilt on over a first one would not go so well if they were the same size. If the second fit, I would think it would just fall off when I put it on. Granted, I know that is what belts are for, but still... I wouldn't think that would be reliable. I may well be wrong though. But it did put me off buying from that shop.

**Riverkilt** · 26th July 09, 07:32 AM

You have become a smart kilt shopper. Nothing wrong with that.

What amazes and pleases me is that the kilt market is booming due to men with confidence and common sense. Men with cajones have created this kilt market that has vendors importing inexpensive kilts and folks learning how to sew and even taking a whirl at the kiltmaking business themseves.

While some of it is indeed distasteful, it seems a sign of kilt acceptance that will hopefully stay around for many many years as men find and enjoy FREEDOM!

Ron

**MacKay71** · 26th July 09, 09:35 AM

I guess the best rule of thumb is: If you don't like' don't buy it.

**GMan** · 26th July 09, 09:47 AM

While at some festivals, I have seen guys buy those Kilts and put them on over shorts, it really looks disgusting. Someone always notices the difference when I am nearby and do mention that I look great and the other guy looks silly.

**McFarkus** · 26th July 09, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by GMan

While at some festivals, I have seen guys buy those Kilts and put them on over shorts, it really looks disgusting. Someone always notices the difference when I am nearby and do mention that I look great and the other guy looks silly.

At our local highland games they had a knobby knees contest and there was one guy who wrapped a cheapie kilt around his waist on top of his shorts. When he came on stage for the contest, he got a hugh boo!!!!

**Dall_Piobaire** · 26th July 09, 11:37 AM

It seems commercialization raises it's ugle head everywhere doesn't it! We have come to expect things to be quick, easy, and cheap. Is it the chicken or the egg?

I know the organizers of the games put a ton of hard work into what they do, and get little to nothing back, or even lose out completely!
They do provide a venue for the little guy though. Yeah, the odd wolf will show up, and the odd sheep will be shorn; but, maybe at the same time that guy has a true interest, buys a cheapy learns how he got taken, and goes to one of the sponsors here, or Kathy or Barb. So, there is a silver lining. What matters most is that you take pride in what you are wearing, and how you wear it. The chaff gets sorted from the wheat in the end!

**Fit2BKilted** · 26th July 09, 05:17 PM

Originally Posted by Dall_Piobaire

It seems commercialization raises it's ugle head everywhere doesn't it! We have come to expect things to be quick, easy, and cheap. Is it the chicken or the egg?

I know the organizers of the games put a ton of hard work into what they do, and get little to nothing back, or even lose out.
They do provide a venue for the little guy though. Yeah, the odd wolf will show up, and the odd sheep will be shorn, but, maybe at the same time that guy has a true interest, buys a cheapy learns how he got taken and go's to one of ths sponsor's here, or Kathy or Barb. So there is a silver lining. What matters most is that you take pride in what you are wearing, and how you wear it. The chaff gets sorted from the wheat in the end!

Well said!

**Howard Clark** · 27th July 09, 10:41 AM

Riverkilt said:

What amazes and pleases me is that the kilt market is booming due to men with confidence and common sense. Men with cajones have created this kilt market that has vendors importing inexpensive kilts and folks learning how to sew and even taking a whirl at the kiltmaking business themseves.

While some of it is indeed distasteful, it seems a sign of kilt acceptance that will hopefully stay around for many many years as men find and enjoy FREEDOM!

Ron

I really appreciate your outlook on things sometimes, Ron, and this is one of them. I could not have said that better.

It only takes the first time to get things started. My first kilt was a ren-faire special. I never wear it, but it started me on the path, and I am here to stay.

**MMorgan** · 27th July 09, 11:34 AM

You know I didnt really look at any of the kilts because I knew I couldnt afford them.... BUT I know the shop your talking about had a lady working there with a camo minikilt on and some guy..... with the big utilikilt banner.... You saying that they didnt have any REAL utilikilts at all???? they where all knockoff they where selling under a utilikilt banner??

**sathor** · 27th July 09, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by MMorgan

You know I didnt really look at any of the kilts because I knew I couldnt afford them.... BUT I know the shop your talking about had a lady working there with a camo minikilt on and some guy..... with the big utilikilt banner.... You saying that they didnt have any REAL utilikilts at all???? they where all knockoff they where selling under a utilikilt banner??

They had real ones in the back, as well as Pakistani knockoffs and Pakistani tartan kilts, that looked like the same ones that were sold at the ren fest last year with the odd inverted buckles. The knockoff uk ones had a much wider apron, but I didn't like the way the lady answered questions.