The expense of kilts!

[Peter Crowe]

But building a 'full kit' isn't something you should just rush out and purchase anyway. For most of us, it takes years of buying one thing at a time, or working our way up in quality. The same is true of the Scots too, unless they happen to inherit it from within the family.

Tobus is absolutely right about this!

Speaking as a native born Scot who was brought up to wear the kilt, I have spent years adding piecemeal through purchase and inheritance to have enough kilt gear to have Traditional Highland Civilian Dress (THCD) day-wear and semi-formal (black-tie) evening wear as a middle aged man of almost 46. When I was a boy it was kilt and argyle jacket with basic accoutrements (sporran. hose, and flashes). I was in my late 30's before I owned a Prince Charlie coatee and vest with an evening dress sporran. You find that these are special clothes you pay good money for and take care of appropriately.

Not that I am unhappy with what I have, but I would still like to have a tweed Argyle day jacket with matching waistcoat. However, I doubt I could justify such an extravagance for at least another five to ten years.

By the way Scots are canny which means careful not stingy. I know many of my ain folk who would give you the shirt of their back provided you earned their friendship and good esteem. They may be slow to warm to strangers but once you have their friendship, you have a real friend for life.

[gwynng]

There are a lot of alternatives out there to going full tilt and getting a bespoke tank...I did it a few years ago and glad I did, but still just had to have an alteration done to accommodate some uh, spread. Good thing is, it looks as good as new and fits better than before.

There are a lot of used kilts on Ebay. Are you buying in the dark? To a degree, yes. But if you educate yourself, read between the lines and most importantly ask the seller questions, you can get a decent idea of what to expect. I have seen some lovely kilts go for $100 or less. Shipping is an issue, because if it is coming from the UK, that can run up to $50 or so. Still a helluva lot cheaper than a new tank.

With Ebay you have to be patient and look at a lot of things over time before you finally buy. You'll see a pattern and note that there are some things that sell for outrageous sums for what they are and others a bargain. You will soon see an approximate amount that a used kilt will sell for. Middle sizes go for the most (darnit!) and skinny minnies and big boys get the best bargains. Give it a try. And don't forget to ask questions about specific measurements, fabrics etc. There are a lot of people who are not really dishonest, just ignorant of what they sell.

Good luck.

[Alan H]

If you really, really want a nice kilt. REALLY want one, but you just can't make yourself spend the money...or you honestly don't have the money, then learn how to make one.

There's this book by Barb Tewksbury, The Art of Kiltmaking...

Oh, but I could NEVER make a kilt! you say? Bollocks. Dozens of lads on this forum have made kilts. Go look at the DIY forums. I learned how to make kilts. If I can do it, you can do it.

[frank_a]

Again, thanks to all who have replied to my initial post. This has been a big help for me really, and makes complete sense (for the most part).

I am looking forward to having USA Kilts make a semi-trad for me when I have the cash, and with luck, and then maybe an 8 yard wool next year. I'd love to find a deal on an Argyll jacket, but wonder how much I would wear it. The Argyll jacket thing is pretty much how this topic came up in my little head. I was astounded at the prices! I've always been a turtleneck sweater nut, and think a fine shirt and good wool sweater will get me through the door of any engagement that I want to look good in. About all I can imagine for dressing up in public is for Robert Burns night dinner anyways, and in the past, I've worn pants to that, although good wool with a wool blazer and Ancient Campbell dress tie. Also, maybe I'll start hitting some Goodwill stores. I really like what Richrail did!

Thanks again for all the comments, this has been an educational day!

Frank

[denmcdough]

Frank, obviously you haven't had a close call with death. If you had, your perspective on life would have changed drastically. Life is short, so sometime you just gotta go and do it. Quit the fussing and go buy a good kilt. You'll be so glad you did. Don't be on your death bed wishing the "what ifs." Just my two cents.

[David Thorpe]

The Argyll jacket thing is pretty much how this topic came up in my little head. I was astounded at the prices!

Some sport jackets can be converted for a fraction of the price of a new Tweed kilt jacket. That subject has been covered many times over in other threads.
Since money is an issue, I would suggest that you not limit your consideration to only Campbell Ancient, at least for getting started. The Campbell Modern is the same tartan as Black Watch. It is a much more readily available tartan especially in lower priced kilts.

[Cecil]

Frank it took me many a year to make up my mind for a kilt. I got my first one last Friday. I finally decided I will be dead a long time. So I am going to enjoy my kilt while I can. I would post a picture but for the life of me, I cannot figure out how to do it. A senior issue I guess.

[madmacs]

Stingy? ***? Frugal perhaps...

My first kilt was bought a long time ago, is still wearable (though I may have to break down and have Bonnie adjust it), my clan tartan, and likely to see a lot more use... How do you measure value? $ per year? $ per use?

I believe my last one is probably cheaper than my first if adjusted for inflation...

I guess one question to ask is, how much would you pay for a suit? $300 from sears? Fits based on the label size, coat will be too loose, pants too long, pants too loose at the waist... Add another $75 - $100 it will look ok... Will likely have been made offshore, of adequate materials... But it does the job... For work.

For your wedding you'll rent a tux... Maybe even spring for a nicer suit ($1000 maybe, stilll not the best, but a little better, might even get half canvassed) I'm sure their wedding is when most scots consider buying a kilt... They may rent the rest of the outfit though... After that, its a lot cheaper to add...

[frank_a]

Wow! What a great bunch of fellows! Thanks for all the encouragement and support. Sometimes I need it.

Den, I have had one or two close calls, trust me. It has given me a different perspective on life.

David, USA Kilts has their semi-traditional in Campbell Ancient. I hope to travel down to their shop in mid-October and have Rocky measure me for it. I like the idea of making a sport coat into the argyll jacket I would like. I'm gonna check that out.

Cecil, great post. I use Photobucket for forums like this. It's free. You need to upload your pic(s) to an album, then you can easily copy the url (http stuff) and paste it where you want in your post.

madmacs, stingy was the wrong word, my apologies. Cagey would be more like it, as someone else above here suggested. That would have been my grandmother Campbell. She was certainly cagey. My dad was just stingy! Suits off the rack do just fine for me. I do not need tailored suits anymore. There was a time early in my career it was necessary. It's not anymore. Actually, khakis, quality shirts, nice ties and good blazers and sport coats do fine anymore. To be honest, I have no idea what I paid to rent my tux & tails back in '74. All I can remember was how great a day it was.

So I been siting around in my kilt tonight working on a project at the dining room table. If nothing else, the puppy likes it - he comes over and hides under it!

I'm done for the day. 4:30 comes early!

Frank

[Cecil]

Hey Frank, I did get a photobucket account and I posted my picture there but I still cannot figure out what to type in to get it to show up. I will keep trying. I still have some computer learning to do. It works well to facebook but thats another story.
Has for the Kilt questions. I got my belt and buckle at a leather dealer in Daytona beach. Got the hose and flashes from Rocky on here and the Kilt from Bonnie Heather Green. Were there is a well there's a way.