Kilts, The Wise Financial Choice

[Riverkilt]

You are proud Jamie,

Have a different experience than you about "pretend kilts" ruining the market...at least on our side of the pond. My kiltmaker, Kathy Lare, is swamped when she sets up shop at Highland Games.

I started out with "pretend kilts" but now own two hand sewn traditional kilts, including a 16 oz strome and have a third hand sewn kilt on the way.

Kathy was trained in Scotland, you can check her credentials on her website www.kathyskilts.com

You are right, the hand sewn traditional kilts are top of the line and worth every cent. Even better when they're in my family tartans and I have documentation of where generations of ancestors lived in Scotland.

Yet, there is no way that I would own those kilts today had I not first seen a Utilikilt at a Ren Faire. Been going to Highland Games for years. NEVER had the hankering to own a kilt. The Utilikilt made sense to me and of course once I wore one I was hooked, addicted, sold on kilts.

I would offer that the "pretend kilts" are actually bringing increased business to traditional kiltmakers. And, for me, reading posts on this board from men ordering traditionals confirms that we seem to move from "pretend kilts" to hand sewn traditionals.

And, I also believe I've seen a number of men who started with the hand sewn traditional kilts buy themselves some "pretend kilts" for knocking around in.

The point is, I see it as ALL good. "Pretend kilts" help the traditional kilt market, "pretend kilts" offer traditional kilt owners a chance to remain kilted in situations that might soil or ruin a hand sewn traditional kilt.

We are "us."

Ron

[flyv65]

And, I also believe I've seen a number of men who started with the hand sewn traditional kilts buy themselves some "pretend kilts" for knocking around in.

The point is, I see it as ALL good. "Pretend kilts" help the traditional kilt market, "pretend kilts" offer traditional kilt owners a chance to remain kilted in situations that might soil or ruin a hand sewn traditional kilt.

To quote the stoner kid that lives up the street, "Dood, it happened to me". My first kilt was a 16 oz hand sewn that I liked to wear so much I was worried I'd ruin it...leading to my utilikilt (my avatar shows me flyfishing in Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park in the 'ole UK). There is a tremendous amount to be said in favor of a kilt that you can really "work" in w/out thinking "if I mess my kilt up, I'm gonna be working overtime untill the end of the year to buy a new one". The biggest adjustment for me was getting used to a lower ride (on the hips), and the fact that 16 oz wool feels "different" than the twill when I'm wearing them. Is it the number of pleats? The fabric? The weight of the material? Beats me, but I always feel like I'm entitled to swagger a bit in my MacDonald LotI, whereas the UK (and the Stillwater) just feel like comfy clothes.

Bryan...looking forward to the Bearkilt for comparison (and 'o course pleasure)...

[kiltedpride]

Dear Ron,
I have no quibble if a person starts with a Utilikit, cheap imitation or whatever and the person knows that they are not in fact buying a real kilt and they do graduate to a proper one at a later date when they can afford the price. My concern is a) tourists in this country a tempted by the price to buy cheap imitation kilts in Asian owned shops that have no substance (almost a cheap tartan skirt in efect) and they never graduate - either because they won't return to Scotland or are disappointed with the experience and b) a general acceptance in the US that Utilikilts and similar products are in fact kilts at all - this is questionable. Leaving the second point aside as this has been a matter of great debate and causes heated discussion, my concern regarding the first point is that it really does put pressure on Scottish kiltmakers to reduce cost and to a degree quality. The market is so competetive that swaping of the market with Asian copies is the last straw. A couple weeks ago I saw one shop selling a so -called kilt for £45, another for £39 and then one at £19! all the traditional kiltmakers also are fighting a price war between themselves and it has the effect of driving quality down as well.
Anyway (getting off my soap box ) the more guys that turn to kilts and even pretend kilts the better but,... it is up to those of us who have seen the light to act as missionaries to highlight the advantage of a properly made traditional kilt and secure a higher graduate entry to the school of kilt-dom.
Jamie

[kiltedpride]

To quote the stoner kid that lives up the street, "Dood, it happened to me". My first kilt was a 16 oz hand sewn that I liked to wear so much I was worried I'd ruin it...leading to my utilikilt (my avatar shows me flyfishing in Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park in the 'ole UK). .

Well I do know what you mean - I use one of my first kilts as a working kilt - it is my Clan Farquharson kilt and is 20 years old - it has a small tear but that gives it character. I wear it round the house and out sometimes to the pub or out shagging and it serves me well. I think one should have an old kilt in the wardrobe - just like you might have smart jeans and jeans for rambling in the country. Now whether the working kilt should be a Utilikilt is another matter. I'd argue no still go trad - it feels better and the swing you get is 'cos it sits higher. Wear it casual with a pullover or polo shirt out over the kilt with no belt - that make the kilt look not so high as it is covered by the shirt. And of course wear it with boots and socks turned down. And before someone says this is too hot for US let me say I have just returned from 14 kilt wearing days in Spain and the kilt was ideal - like a string vest (cool in summer, warm in winter).
Bone chance mon amie
Jaimie.

[bayouscot]

An Fe'ileadh Gu Brath!!

Kilts are awesome! IMHO. mind you, I don't possess a pair of jeans,but if I did I wouldn't be paying $100 and up. :-)

Stuart.

[Rigged]

This is a interesting discussion. What constitutes a "real" kilt in light of the fact that the original kilt was just a wool blanket tucked (kilted) around the waist?

The growing popularity of kilts is certainly a two-edged sword. It's easier to make expensive hand-made products when you don't have many customers or competitors.

With more customers and more competition comes the pressure to produce more product at a lower price.

The alternative is to become a high-priced item for exclusive customers. I think of the automobile industry where almost anyone who wants a car can buy one, but the type and quality of vehicles varies from old Volkswagons to brand new Lambourginis.

Maybe a better analogy is the difference between a Ford Ranger truck and a Hummer. A Hummer is certainly a higher-quality and more expensive vehicle. But I don't see people tossing their gardening tools or loads of lumber into them. A Ford Ranger can haul loads, or take a nice cleaning and polish and look good driving to the Opera.

So now Hummer is making a smaller, cheaper vehicle to reach a wider number of customers. Now, if someone wants a "real" Hummer they can spend $128,000 for one, or if they want a "cheap" Hummer they can spend $28,000 dollars for a lesser (and more useful) vehicle.

I've had my hands on hand-made $500.00 kilts. They're like nothing else in terms of material and workmanship.

But they don't have pockets.

[flyv65]

Well I do know what you mean - I use one of my first kilts as a working kilt - it is my Clan Farquharson kilt and is 20 years old - it has a small tear but that gives it character. I wear it round the house and out sometimes to the pub or out shagging and it serves me well. I think one should have an old kilt in the wardrobe

Couldn't agree with you more, Jaimie...I'm limited only by finances from having 4 or 5 handsewn wool kilts ( I actually have an order in for my second one right now). Still, I'm not sure that a traditional kilt must be the ultimate goal for all kilt wearers. Some may never feel the need to own one, while others will never own a contemporary kilt. Would you have us differentiate by calling the contemporaries MUG? And if so, that would still include the traditional kilt by definition. In your earlier post you mentioned that your local "market' was flooded with cheap overseas knockoffs, and that the professional kiltmakers were suffuring for it; yet I would argue that people who buy 19 or 29 pound kilts would never be potential customers of a traditional kilt...I agree that such products could certainly foster a very poor impression of kilts in general by the uneducated, though.

Bryan...it always seems to come down to money...

[macgreggor]

just a couple of cents worth and an analogy...

I guess I agree with Ron.

If the only way to get into driving meant I had to buy a Rolls, there would be damn few cars on the road. Now I may aspire to drive a Rolls but until large chunks of money magicly appear in my bank account I will make due with a Chevy...mind you I can appriciate the quality and finish of the REAL car but I have a limited budget and so FEW places which call for a Rolls....

macG

[kiltedpride]

If the only way to get into driving meant I had to buy a Rolls, there would be damn few cars on the road. Now I may aspire to drive a Rolls but until large chunks of money magicly appear in my bank account I will make due with a Chevy...mind you I can appriciate the quality and finish of the REAL car but I have a limited budget and so FEW places which call for a Rolls.... macG

With respect there is a vast difference between a Rolls and a trad kilt - a trad kilt is after all merely the price of an office suit (or even half the price!) - I don't think the analogy fits at all.

[flyv65]

With respect there is a vast difference between a Rolls and a trad kilt - a trad kilt is after all merely the price of an office suit (or even half the price!) - I don't think the analogy fits at all.

That might not be the comparison you want to make on this side of the Atlantic: I know more people who own traditional kilts than own business suits. It is quite possible I know more people who own kilts of any kind than sport coats, for that matter.

Bryan...p'haps I just run with a more "fashion-challenged" crowd... :-)