Gonna get slammed for this but here goes...

[Howard Clark]

It's all a matter of point of view, folks.

We presently live in the fattest time and place in the history of our species, those of us in north america and western europe, anyway. Many of us have lifestyles and possessions that only royals could have dreamt of in times past.

I am amazed that kilts do not cost more than they do, and am astonished that such a thing can be bought, hand made for the small amount of money they cost. Granted there is not a lot of expensive equipment involved in making one, but the skill and time is a very good value for the money.

I shop at GoodWill and Salvation Army for shirts though.

[Graywolf]

My two cents worth:

1) If you don't want to pay the price don't. Let us face it if any of us could make the biggest profit from something we could sell we would.
2) Complain all you want it's your right, and by not buying something and complaining you might drive the price down.
3) I have never been disappointed in any kilt which I have bought. The price may be steep, but the quality seems to ensure the $/year, lets face it they don't go out of style, is low.
4) I have empathy for your problem.

[Ozman1944]

My budget stretches to Stillwater, maybe Frugal Corner, and Sportkilt, sometimes to a Utilikilt, Kiltstore or KL Kilts. and am quite happy with those, but, of course I have to take what Tartans they have. Am not anticipating a hand sewn Kilt - way out of my Vow of Poverty limits.

[bjproc]

your kilt will be an heirloom & will be passed down, so really it's on the dear side but reasonable, your jeans won't outlast it.

welcome to x marks

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Maybe this is a money-raising proposition for the SAS. Barb

Business overheads in the UK are a lot higher, which could be another factor. Also, if your friend in the SAS in buying the kilt for you, it may be subject to the dreaded 15% VAT (sales tax), which would add another $90 to Barb's price of $600. You also have to remember that the dollar is weaker against the pound. A kilt that cost $680 a year ago in the UK now costs $800. I'd suggest you have your kilt made "over here" by someone like Barb or Matt.

[Frank McGrath]

And you can't get them at Wal-Mart. Welcome from County Carroll, Md.

[Tommie]

And you can't get them at Wal-Mart. Welcome from County Carroll, Md.

It would'nt surprise me if you could be able to buy them there soon

[ChromeScholar]

When it becomes apparent that there is a market for them, Wal-Mart will carry them. They will be the same sort of kilt that SWK and FC carry, however.

[Chef]

As to the cost of kilt stuff. In your present job, what do you make for hour? Why shouldn't those making kilts get a comparable wage?

Exactly James. I know what I charge an hour for my time to a client. I certainly think Barb and Matt and Steve and Kathy and Rocky etc, are as good at making kilts as I am at the things I do. I envy their talent. Maybe it would be nice to learn how to make kilts like they do but unless I can convince people to pay me $2500 a piece I can't afford to. We should consider ourselves blessed that we can get such an artisan product at such a reasonable price!

[Mr. MacDougall]

Hey, CelticMedic. I can certainly understand wanting to get a kilt in a professional tartan... you can do a search on "MacMedic," and see the kilt I had Matt Newsome make me. It cost me about $500, and I wear it with pride.