bargain basement

**Danwell** · 22nd July 10, 06:58 PM

I may have interpretted the original post incorrectly, but I don't think that the question here is "What is the absolute cheapest kilt?". I understood the question to be "For your requirements, what is the absolute cheapest kilt?". For example, I need a box pleat and it MUST be in **** tartan, so ABC Company offers the cheapest. My brother MUST have a full 8x16 knife pleat and it must be **** tartan with three straps, so CBA Company was the cheapest. Service, emails, postage etc don't cound, just the cheapest for what class you're looking for........is this right?

**CMcG** · 23rd July 10, 12:34 AM

Originally Posted by Danwell

I may have interpretted the original post incorrectly, but I don't think that the question here is "What is the absolute cheapest kilt?". I understood the question to be "For your requirements, what is the absolute cheapest kilt?". For example, I need a box pleat and it MUST be in **** tartan, so ABC Company offers the cheapest. My brother MUST have a full 8x16 knife pleat and it must be **** tartan with three straps, so CBA Company was the cheapest. Service, emails, postage etc don't cound, just the cheapest for what class you're looking for........is this right?

Apologies if my OP wasn't too clear... I am basically asking "What is the absolute cheapest kilt?". When I included caveats regarding individuals, I meant to account for size and distance.

For example, the Stillwater Economy line that CaseyB mentioned sells for around $53 USD but shipping to my location adds another $20-25. The Scotland Kilt Co is still cheaper at $55 because it includes free shipping. If, however, the Scotland Kilt Co. doesn't make sizes to fit a gentleman of substance, then it can't be the cheapest kilt for him.

A primary requirement is that it still be a kilt (beach towels with kilts printed on them don't count) but in regards to other options, let's restrict ourselves to the "beggars can't be choosers" model.

**Chas** · 23rd July 10, 03:08 AM

I would put a bid in for Frugal Store:

http://thefrugalcorner.3dcartstores.com/

I dealt with them last, 18 months ago and was quite satisfied.

Regards

Chas

**fluter** · 23rd July 10, 07:36 PM

Originally Posted by lethearen

=
SportKilt: Don't forget they charge extra to have the pleats sewn down.

The "Works" model includes this, but it's basically an original model SK with extras. "Made to measure" it is not. SK will make a kilt to measure, on request, and we're told that they do a nice job. The standard model has no taper in the fell, just elastic in the waistband. Very nice "for what it is," but your CCK will fit much better.

**NorCalPiper** · 24th July 10, 10:17 AM

Those kilts that are sold by the Scotland Kilt store, and others on eBay are actually pretty good. The 2 that i had were constructed correctly and were machine stitched OVER the pleats. that being said, the material is like Carhardt workman jeans material. After a few washings, they lose their stifness, but they are MUCH more durable than the acrylic kilts. I loved the 2 that I had for what they were. True beaters!!

**CMcG** · 26th July 10, 10:26 AM

I've had a chance to do a bit of comparing and it looks like the Scotland Kilt Co.'s poly/acetate kilt has what it takes to be THE true beater kilt for me: lowest price ($55 total) and tough, washable material. The low price is partly because of the free shipping and partly because my lass can hem it for me.

If you can't get free hemming from someone, if 24" length is too short, or if they don't make these poly/acetate kilts in your waist size, then I'm thinking Chas had the next best suggestion: the Frugal Corner's 13 oz acrylic custom kilt. They make waist sizes from 26" to 70" (with a surcharge of +$5 @ 50" and +$10 @ 60"), lengths from 18" to 26" (with a surcharge of +$5 @ 24.5"), and they charge $10 for sewn down pleats (listed as "stitched like 16 oz"). For me that would work out to $105.5 USD including shipping and sewn down pleats.

The runner up for me would be a Sportkilt Original model, size medium. Sewn down pleats are an extra $12 and, with shipping to Canada, that works out to $96.50. I say runner up because the way their sizing works; medium is ok for me if I wear a Sportkilt low on my waist but is actually a bit short. The medium long costs more than a Frugal Corner 13 oz custom, so it wouldn't be worth it to hem.

Other folks would have to do the math to figure out their ultimate beater given their size and their location (for shipping). I'd still be interested to read the variance if anyone would like to share what their grand total is for a bargain basement kilt. Remember to include shipping (or local tax) and all options!

**Riverkilt** · 26th July 10, 11:50 AM

This thread has me beginning to wonder if there is a line somewhere between "imitation kilts" and a real kilt.

Should these low price, poor quality, or few features garments be called kilts, or should they be called "imitation kilts" or "kilt-like?"

Really difficult for me to put a hand sewn 16 ounce wool strome kilt next to a basic acetate low cost kilt-like garment and call them both kilts.

Just saying...my take...your mileage may differ...

**Tony** · 26th July 10, 12:00 PM

Not real different from comparing a Ford Focus to a Ferrari.
They're both cars and they'll both get you where you need to go, but in different styles.
And your mileage WILL vary

**CaseyB** · 26th July 10, 12:22 PM

I agree with Tony, they're Kilts it's just a range of quality and prices.

**CMcG** · 26th July 10, 01:54 PM

Originally Posted by Riverkilt

This thread has me beginning to wonder if there is a line somewhere between "imitation kilts" and a real kilt.

Should these low price, poor quality, or few features garments be called kilts, or should they be called "imitation kilts" or "kilt-like?"

<snip>

That's a good question.

If we take a tank (hand sewn, 16 oz worsted tartan, knife pleated, approximately 8 yards) as the only "true kilt," then there are certainly a lot of poor imitations out there. But there is already a live thread on the topic of price ranges in the top of the line kilt department.

In general, however, there are as many different horses as there are different courses (to paraphrase that adage). In the OP, I asked specifically about the absolutely lowest priced kilt, with just a few caveats. This leaves a lot of room for finding a bargain on a beater!

Other people are certain to have their own opinions about where to draw the line on kilt vs. kilt-like. For example, Utilikilts (or other modern kilts) might be too different from a traditional kilt for some folks, despite their price or quality.

My lass prefers me to wear kilts with straps/buckles and a fringed apron in addition to the other options I listed in the OP. So for her, a Stillwater Thrifty, Sportkilt Original, or even USAkilts casual are rather kilt-like, regardless of price or quality. Personally, I tend to defer to the lady's tastes...

For the sake of this thread though, I left a lot of options open out of curiosity for the lowest price. And because I wished to be inclusive of a wider range of kilts than what I currently wear.

In answer to Riverkilt, IMHO options are more important than quality or price in determining whether a garment is a kilt or just kilt-like. That being said, I have a piggy bank where I am slowly collecting money (on a student budget) towards a good hand sewn kilt.

Would anyone like to put forth the argument that my two choices for lowest price kilts (The Scotland Kilt Co. poly/acetate and The Frugal Corner custom acrylic) aren't actually kilts? Could be interesting to read their reasoning and what they offer as an alternative...