Lidl Supermarket sells budget kilts

[Mr. MacDougall]

Is it just me who really doesn't think cheap kilts are a good idea?

You're far from the only one. If you go back and read this thread you'll see fairly impassioned arguments on both sides of the issue, including a dismayingly long post on exactly this subject, written by me, on about page three of the debate.

[Paul Henry]

to be honest I didn't really think I was!! somehow I get a little wary of a double standard , as many people have said before you can't always have cheap and quality - you have to choose!!

[Monkey@Arms]

You're far from the only one. If you go back and read this thread you'll see fairly impassioned arguments on both sides of the issue, including a dismayingly long post on exactly this subject, written by me, on about page three of the debate.

Mr. M. I think your post in that thread raises many good points. Lets face it how many people buying £25 kilts were otherwise about to purchase one for £250? Get people into affordable kilts, and they'll eventually want to move up to better ones if they can. Plastic, its the gateway drug for wool.

Best regards,

Jake

[McClef]

"Burns would be turning in his grave."

Two incorrect notions there - firstly he is in a Mausoleum and secondly it is highly doubtful he ever wore a kilt!

It's difficult to judge the issue without actually seeing what Lidl are offering - many of us have seen Gold Bros offerings on the other hand.

Also Lidl are unlikely to prove a long term competitor to quality kilt establishments, it's just one of their offers that are here today and gone tomorrow.

[auld argonian]

Also Lidl are unlikely to prove a long term competitor to quality kilt establishments, it's just one of their offers that are here today and gone tomorrow.

Sort of like how Osco, one of our supermarket/drug store companies stocks Chicago Bears paraphenalia (sweatshirts, hats, pennants, etc.) during football (the American type) season. They figure that as long as they've got you coming in to buy huge bags of potato chips (crisps) and cases of cans of that yellowish swill that passes for beer, they might as well clip you for another couple of bucks before you get out the door.

Best

AA

[auld argonian]

That "leading Edinburgh Kilt maker" threw me out of his shop because I was wearing my heritage kilt. he's rude and ill-mannered. I'd never give him any of my business.
a couple of months after that little visit, I spent around £1000 on a full outfit for my sisters wedding. Needless to say he didn't get my business.

I've never met the man myself but have you ever noticed how, for one person, someone may be "rude and ill-mannered" but somebody else thinks that he's some kind of a colorful character who's outspoken and a stickler for detail? Not saying that there was any kind of justification for your having been treated badly but I'm sure that Mr. Nicholsby is being cast as the Last Angry Man standing up for quality kilts and the integrity of the Scottish National Identity. Don't forget that the press LOVES guys like this; he has most likely become the "go-to guy" whenever a issue related to tartan tat comes up.

Still, there will be a market for the low-end stuff, won't there? Perhaps the sad thing is that some of the purchasers will decide that they like it and will have spent what could have been the down payment on a decent kilt on one of these "disposable" outfits.

Many of our members are buying the velcro waisted acrylic kilts that are available as knock-around wear...are these Lidl kilts much different from those? Would we be drawing too fine of a distinction between folks who buy the velcro-waists over here and those who buy the super-market kilts in Scotland? Is it some kind of misrepresentation if a Native Scot wears an inexpensive kilt but okay if an American wears one?

Best

AA

[fluter]

I've never met the man myself but have you ever noticed how, for one person,
...

AA, the Nicholsby's actually have an unfair advantage: there are two of them. This is Nicholsby fils, mastermind of the Twenty-First Century Kilts line.

[Don Patrick]

I have to say this is an interesting thread. I'm curious to see what this sale will bring to the future of kilt wearing. I can see the argument for and against, but do tend to lean towards a quality kilt. I must admit though, I can pinch a penny as the best of them and do appreciate a good price. I think it is the Scotch in me.

Maybe if nothing else it might help create a surge in the popularity of wearing the kilt. Though I probably wouldn't stop any future purchases of quality kilts, I have to say I wouldn't mind being able to purchase one of these Lidl 'Black watch' Kilts.

[TheKiltedWonder]

I have to agree with Monkey@Arms on this one. If someone buys a cheaper kilt thinking its the same as a traditional one, well I don't agree with that. And if someone buys a cheaper one while saving up for a more expensive one, I'd say stay patient and keep saving! However, a kilt is a luxury item. It's a meaningful one, a symbolic, cultural, heritage-infused luxury item. If someone doesn't have a lot of money, then pants cover the waist and lower at a cheaper price. Mr. Nicholsby will never business from these people; a kilt is simple not a necessity. The cheap kilts (or "kilts", depending on your view point) give people the opportunity to wear one, who would otherwise not have a chance to wear a kilt. And I think we can all agree that that is a good thing!

Is the quality the same? Of course not. If you can afford both, should you go cheap? I'd say no, since you'll likely have to replace it sooner (I'm sure others may disagree). But is it so terrible to have this option? I say no.

[Casper]

I'm in the same boat. My first 2 kilts were acrylic... had never worn one before. I know others that would never have spent that much for a wool kilt if they didn't know whether or not they'd actually enjoy it.

After that, it's going to be wool from now on. But, if I hadn't started with a lower cost acrylic, I probably would NEVER have worn a kilt.

Really, its like anything. Some people will only buy the cheap stuff. Others will only pay for the real deal. And then some will buy the cheap stuff, gain an appreciation, and then spring for the real deal. In the end, cheap kilts do a measure to enhance the business of the quality kiltmakers.