The most you have paid/would pay for a kilt?

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Being able to purchase anything but a tank is a very recent phenomenon, hence I've always bought the best believing in the adage that "the quality remains long after the price is forgotten." When you consider that a totally bespoke regulation doublet from a top Scottish tailor will cost nearly US $1600, and a kilt will cost between US $500 and US $700, it does sound like a lot of money-- in fact, it is a lot of money. But, if you spread that out over ten years, it works out to about $230 per year, or what you'd pay to rent formal attire twice a year. In the long run, buying the best is worth it.

[Sammac]

My first kilt was a handsewn 8yd that cost $580 two yrs ago. My last one a 5 yd front Scotweb was $267.

[St. Amish]

I spent $760 for my 9 yard, military pleated 16 oz. Hunting Stewart. I paid extra for a couple of reasons. First, I wanted very specific pleating that is not the norm for this tartan. I went to a semi-local guy so that I could stand there with a swatch and physically point to the stripe I wanted. Also, I had an absolutely horrible experience with a Scottish kilt maker, and the experience left me a bit gun shy about wiring a bunch of money across the pond again. Then, I wanted the person I was getting my kilt from to be able to do the measurements themselves so that I would have no culpability in the event of a mis-measure. If there were issues when my kilt came in, the guy was an hour away, and I could easily take it back to him to remedy the situation. There did turn out to be a fitting issue, and since I was close, I drove the kilt back to him. After checking the kilt, he found his measurements were correct, but that for some reason, they didn't translate into a good fit. He had the alteration made, and I am completely satisfied with the final product.

I think that by the time I shipped the thing back to Scotland, waited for the alterations to happen, and then waited for return shipping, I made the right decision. I don't regret a penny of the money I spent.

[Howard Clark]

I have one that was $600 and it is magnificent, by Barb T.. I do still prefer the four yard box pleated ones (from Matt) for everyday wear though. Simpler to deal with in a shop work environment.

[ccga3359]

The one I have on order right now through Keltoi is in the $700+ Cdn range. Custom weave by DC Dagliesh, it promises to be a very rare and important tartan to especially considering I don't have a clan tartan of my own. Hopefully one month to go and the final tally. Don't think I'd be willing to pay anymore than this. Don't think I ever will again.

St Amish I fully agree with your reasoning and try to choose kilt makers close to me, I have 2 within an hour of me and a third an hour and twenty minutes, and all three are on this forum.

[McMurdo]

My Isle of Skye, handsewn 16oz 8 yard kilt was $850.00 it was worth every penny and is a favourite of mine to wear.

[dfmacliam]

I have paid close to $500.00 for two of my kilts.. But sometime in the future I figure I will pay much more for my Cleghorn tartan in a 8 yd knife pleat.. and if things work right.. I may get it in a military box pleat.. so a special weave in a 16oz + I figure I will pay about $700 for this special kilt.

[Riverkilt]

I usually pay about $500 for my hand sewn kilts, including the fabric. But I'm dealing direct with the kiltmaker. Suspect the higher priced kilts are through middlemen.

[Highlander31]

I paid $545.00 in 2003 for my hand sewn 16oz 8yd MacGregor of Cardney kilt. Well worth the price.

[longhuntr74]

I usually pay about $500 for my hand sewn kilts, including the fabric. But I'm dealing direct with the kiltmaker. Suspect the higher priced kilts are through middlemen.

This right here is my acceptable price range. I guess if, perhaps, my wife were to buy me one as a present that she knew I really wanted and spent over $500-600 I wouldn't be too mad...but if she spent more than $750 or so I'd think her foolish. At $50 per yard (double width), material would cost you about $200...possibly $300 if you're having custom fabric woven I'm guessing...some of you out there could confirm that. The labor charge for sewing the garment should not exceed $300 in my opinion.

For me...before spending over $550 on a kilt, I'd probably just make one myself...unless my foray into the kilt making world goes horribly on my first try and I decide to say "screw this....I'll just pay someone because this is too much work". I've only found one craft that complicated in my life so far...Native American quill working....all those little porcupine quills, dyeing them colors, tiny little stitching, etc...man that's hard work. I love the look of the finished products and they really add a degree of authenticity to a reenactment ensemble...but that's something that I'll pay for versus doing myself.