Just a whiney complaint...

[Jock Scot]

Jamie, I am unsure whether to sigh or cry! You and that damned hat are going to haunt me for years to come.

[Bugbear]

Jamie, I am unsure whether to sigh or cry! You and that damned hat are going to haunt me for years to come.

I have been healed! I no longer suffer from the illness of wearing hats with a kilt.

[Phil]

This whole subject is really about "everyday wear" v. "special occasion". Despite what many think, Scots generally reserve their kilt outfits for special occasions as it is not regarded as suitable for day-to-day wear. Businesses outwith the tourist industry frown on the wearing of highland dress and so it is rarely seen in Scotland as others have commented previously. When it comes to stating our national identity, however, (football, rugby matches etc.) kilts are everywhere and at formal events such as weddings, dances etc. it is the dress of choice rather than the dreary and funereal dinner suit (tuxedo) which is all that is left to less fortunate individuals. It is perfectly understandable that someone who wears something on a day-to-day basis wants some variety but does not want to pay over the odds and is quite happy to wear a lesser quality garment accordingly. The same goes for the majority of clothing nowadays which is sourced in Asian sweatshops, produced by exploited people struggling to exist on wages below subsistence level. It really boils down to a personal decision as to how that individual feels about themselves and the image they wish to project about themselves. And as for Jamie's hat, well I will leave that to Jock.

[sathor]

It makes me again ponder, is day to day kilt wearing some strange American born thing? Sure, we are to blame for Blue Jeans, and probably a few other things, nut anyways....

But also, the geographic of it, It seems that Kilts are mainly, for the US, in the Midwest/Northest (the North) and then in the Southwest? (notwithstanding Fl, which is a northern state, regardless of what the map says.) The main kilt places that I can think of from the top of my head are Rocky in PN, (nw) Alpha and Urban Kilts in IN (MW) as well as SWK and Frugal Corner in MN, I forget the one in AZ (sw) and isn't Flamingo out of Cali? Then Utilikilts is from Wash, I think, and then a handful in Canada. I know there are a few people here from Ky/Tn, but beyond that, are there really many kilt wearing southerners?

[Dan R Porter]

Made a complaint and recieved a history lesson. I own *a* kilt and it is a standard SWK. I am curently working on me and my wife's wedding budget and when it came to the price of my setup... I was just a bit suprised. It adds up quick. Thanks for all the friendly advice though.

[Colin]

Made a complaint and recieved a history lesson.

Welcome to Xmarksthescot. Nothing is ever really simple with 6,865 members from a wide variety of countries

It makes me again ponder, is day to day kilt wearing some strange American born thing? Sure, we are to blame for Blue Jeans, and probably a few other things, nut anyways....

But also, the geographic of it, It seems that Kilts are mainly, for the US, in the Midwest/Northest (the North) and then in the Southwest? (notwithstanding Fl, which is a northern state, regardless of what the map says.) The main kilt places that I can think of from the top of my head are Rocky in PN, (nw) Alpha and Urban Kilts in IN (MW) as well as SWK and Frugal Corner in MN, I forget the one in AZ (sw) and isn't Flamingo out of Cali? Then Utilikilts is from Wash, I think, and then a handful in Canada. I know there are a few people here from Ky/Tn, but beyond that, are there really many kilt wearing southerners?

The first guy I ever saw wearing a kilt as day to day attire was on a ferry/coach trip from Dublin to Glasgow (yes he was a Scot). That was in 1999.

I think the day to day wear has always been around for some, but the introduction of the low cost kilts, most of which seem to be in the US, appeals more to a US market. I wouldn't say the US started it, but it certainly is more vocal on here by US members.

[Jock Scot]

Made a complaint and recieved a history lesson. I own *a* kilt and it is a standard SWK. I am curently working on me and my wife's wedding budget and when it came to the price of my setup... I was just a bit suprised. It adds up quick. Thanks for all the friendly advice though.

I can well see the problems Dan, ,weddings,homes and life in general is expensive. You will do what you have to do to ensure THE wedding goes well and if you have to cut the odd corner to make it happen, then that's what you have to do.I know I sound like a silly old buffer sometimes, but if you do your research well, in time, you will be the best dressed chap in town. I am nearly 70 and apart from children's kilts I have only ever owned 4 kilts(same tartan) and out of those 4 I have only actually bought one.The rest of my kilt attire has been collected over many many years--- it did not just arrive in one big lump, I was lucky enough to inherit the basics though! In fact my sons are recycling my kilt attire these days and I consider myself fortunate if I can find enough to wear out and about! Don't give up and may I wish you both the very best of luck on your big day.

[Panache]

To those that have not had the opportunity to own/wear a custom kilt.

Let me say that it is well worth saving for.

I say that as a huge fan of Stillwater kilts, I own 6 of them.

I say that as someone who wears kilts 3-4 times a week and absolutely understands the value of having washable kilts that can go where one would fear to take an expensive custom kilt (i.e. to my daughter's kindergarten class to assist with finger painting! )

A custom fitted kilt is going to be more flattering, better made, more durable, and more comfortable than anything mass produced.

My IoS kilt from Freedom Kilts fits me like a glove and I when I wear it and then a mass produced one it is impossible to not feel and see the difference.

If you really like kilts you owe it to yourself to set those pennies aside and order a quality wool tartan kilt made for you.

Nothing else comes close.

Cheers

Jamie

[thescot]

Well, it's certainly not just you.

Highland attire has always been pricey because:
A. The material is not cheap
B. The workmanship is not cheap (if it's good quality Scottish made)
C. The demand is somewhat low--it's a specialty market.
D. We pay it!

We have all lamented the high cost, but, then, a good kilt will still be going when you're dead and gone. I hope my grandsons will be wearing mine. And I wouldn't think of leaving them a bunch of junk.

[thescot]

What Panache said about custom kilts is all true. There is nothing quite like it, and it's worth the wait and the price. ith: