Kilts and your clothing budget

**Tartan Hiker** · 26th March 06, 06:36 PM

Just tonight my wife cried out "Oh my God! Where is the man I married...the one who didn't care what he looked like? Now he's dyeing his socks to match his shirts, and drying his hosiery on the shower rod! You're changing too fast...I can't keep up!"

Sound familiar? For those of you who passed this crisis some time ago, please tell me that all will be well.

**angerli** · 26th March 06, 08:15 PM

After years on the back burner, I decided this past Fall to start collecting. eBay didn't help...I want on eBay.co.uk and that was the end of it: to date I have nailed 4 tweed day jackets, one black Barathea Argyll; a bunch of kilt pins; several sporrans; kilt hose and two Balmorals. Then from two online kiltmakers, I have my 8-yd. MacNicol Modern Hunting tank (ScottishKilts.net) and my Dress Red is en route from ScottishStore.com. I've also bought two pair of Ghillies and am chasing down a pair in English Tan from an outfitter in the Seattle area (Kilt and Thistle).

Sheesh...I've never bought clothes like this EVER! More than that, I've NEVER worn a hat. My Balmorals will be the first ones on my head.

And, I haven't even gotten to my first Highland Games...C U at Glasgow and Grandfather Mountain, gang!!

**GlassMan** · 26th March 06, 09:22 PM

My clothing budget went out the window a long time ago. I have to admit that I'm a bit of a clotheshorse by nature. I like looking nice and I don't mind paying for it. I once dropped about $3000 in a single shopping trip to the Hector Russel store in San Francisco.

But a friend of mine was commenting recently about how worried she was in some parts of town because her jewelry was often worth more than her wallet (and considering the fact that her credit cards are at about a 3 Mile Island level of melt-down she's probably right) and I realized that since I have a penchant for tanks, high priced tailored shirts, expensive jackets, and expensive accessories (watches, rings, cufflinks, etc), that I probably walk around wearing about $1000 or more in clothing every day. It was a major wake up call.

**Mr. Kilt** · 27th March 06, 12:48 AM

I was never a follower of fashion. Blue jeans and t-shirts (from various hotrod and biker events) were pretty much my main wardrobe since the late 70's. I had a pair of black dress slacks and a couple of button-down shirts in case I had to dress up, but they never got worn.

Now that I have 7 kilts, I find I'm always looking for stuff to wear with them. In the past month alone I've bought a dozen shirts, soccer socks and hose, 3 sets of flashes, etc. Stop me before I shop again!!

On the plus side...my wife LOVES the new me.

**Kilted_John** · 27th March 06, 03:10 AM

Currently, my kilt budget is being eclipsed by my photo equipment budget... :-) That said, I've probably spent over $1200 on kilt related items in the past 4 years. It is time to retire the old leatherboard sporran and to get a new kilt belt, but all the kilts are still in good shape, and I have a couple wearable UK's too. I'll prolly replace the belt and sporran (still want a freelander that can hold a Nikon FM2 with 50mm lens and my wallet and keys) soon, but maybe after I add some medium format gear to my equipment bag (read Hasselblad 500cm kit)... Currently saving up for that.
-J

**Eujeankilt** · 27th March 06, 07:11 AM

I used to wear Wrangler Timber Creek slacks (think dockers) to work. On sale I could get them for $15 - 17. What floors me is that now I pay more than that just for my socks - and think nothing of it.

Adding it all up, since last July, I've spent almost $2000 on kilts and kilt related accessories. When I think about it, it's possible I haven't spent more than $5000 on clothing in my whole life until I found kilts.

On the other hand, many of these kilts may last me the rest of my life. I couldn't say that about slacks.

Dale

**Kilted KT** · 27th March 06, 08:21 AM

while I've only two kilts ( trad 5rd thompson red and olive UK survival). I'm always in the market for new kilts and accessories, although my soon-to-be-born son has started to absorb every ounce of excess funds!

Basically it leaves me in a perpetual state of jonesing!

**ByDand** · 27th March 06, 08:46 AM

I really don't spend much on kilts or kilt realted attire. I watch my budget very carefully and hardly spend a dime

In another unrealted issue, my wife reads this forum :neutral:

**efer** · 27th March 06, 02:20 PM

I have to say I want to spend more on kilts and accessories.

My wife just got me a new UK survival kilt this weekend for our anniverary. I'm quite happy

For my wife to spend this kind of money on clothing means she really likes me in a kilt!

**Riverkilt** · 27th March 06, 06:30 PM

About a year ago I added up my "kilt expenses." After doing that I vowed NEVER AGAIN. Too painful.

But, as other's have pointed out, I now dress as who I am, and in comfort, rather than meet someone else's idea of how I should dress and live in discomfort.

Its the dang "accessories" that put the nail in the budget coffin!

Ron