IDEAL v. BUDGET

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

This is a beautiful thing to aspire to when ticking off your "Ideal" list as suggested by MacMillan of Rathdown. This is the real deal and in an ideal world we would all be able to afford one.

Price? Reduced from: £2,950.00 NOW £2,479.00 (US$4,056 - Can$4,195 - AU$4,400 - €2,723 - XE.com's your friend)

I'd love to have one of these but short of a lottery win, it's a bit out of my bracket. Thought members might be interested and someone here might be able to afford one. If anyone does get one, please review it.

Please understand I'm not trying to take the Mickey. As MoR said.
"... The operative word is "I D E A L" ... In an ideal world one does not take economic shortcuts, or accept "fake" instead of "real"...".

What this is is a giant rip off. Silver is under $20US an ounce ($17.38/ounce as this is written) and there isn't much over 6-8 ounces silver in the cantle and bells. That's less than US $150 worth of silver. Add a more than generous US$50 for the machine engraving and subtract that amount (US$200) from the advertised cost of the sporran and you are left with a mink sporran selling for US$3,856-- about 10X it's retail value.

You don't have to be rich to buy this sporran, just stupid.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I'm here to get advice, as my tastes are suspect (even from my own POV); so, I'll not give any. So, of course, I have one question: In addition to a sweater as an alternative choice, casual evening can include the tweed jackets and/or the black argyll (without the ties and waistcoats) as a sports-jacket equivalent? BTW, I appreciate everyone's input.

As Jock Scot has already pointed out "casual" is different here in America-- but yes, if the local custom is to wear a jacket without a tie then following that custom is okay, for two reasons: (1) it will put others "at ease" about how they are dressed ("See, Henry, I told you you should have worn a tie.") and (2) you won't look like you are trying to impress everyone ("Jeez, who does that guy think he is, wearing a tie to a barbeque?").

My caveat would be that if you are going to do this, you might want to consider making an ultra casual kilt jacket out of an old corduroy jacket (or similar) that will be more at home with the "no tie look" than a traditional Highland kilt jacket.

[dfmacliam]

My caveat would be that if you are going to do this, you might want to consider making an ultra casual kilt jacket out of an old corduroy jacket (or similar) that will be more at home with the "no tie look" than a traditional Highland kilt jacket.

I was thinking about this, but making it more like the tweed coat that Paul posted... A shorter sport coat without the cut out.. For a casual look to wear with a button down shirt with no tie.

[dfmacliam]

My caveat would be that if you are going to do this, you might want to consider making an ultra casual kilt jacket out of an old corduroy jacket (or similar) that will be more at home with the "no tie look" than a traditional Highland kilt jacket.

I was thinking about this, but making it more like the tweed coat that Paul posted... A shorter sport coat without the cut out.. For a casual look to wear with a button down shirt with no tie.

A coat cut simular to Lord Semphill's but with the sport coat look, but his sack coat would be nice too.

[dfmacliam]

Deleted... Double post

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I was thinking about this, but making it more like the tweed coat that Paul posted... A shorter sport coat without the cut out.. For a casual look to wear with a button down shirt with no tie.

I think that as long as the jacket doesn't look too traditional (gauntlet cuffs & epaulets are right out) a smooth tweed will look great. I think you will find that with this ensemble you will probably want to wear a belt to help define the look.

[Jack Daw]

Thanks for the advice!

[dfmacliam]

Thanks MOR!

[thescot]

I'm here to get advice, as my tastes are suspect (even from my own POV); so, I'll not give any. So, of course, I have one question: In addition to a sweater as an alternative choice, casual evening can include the tweed jackets and/or the black argyll (without the ties and waistcoats) as a sports-jacket equivalent? BTW, I appreciate everyone's input.

This really is a cool thread.

I would hazard to say that an argyl in barathea is similar to a suit coat rather than a sport coat. It's kind of dressy what with the silver buttons and all, so I would opt for a tweed as the sport coat equivalent. Of course, if you can put plain buttons on it and use those silver button covers for fancier occassions, I guess that's another option.

Of course, since Americans have become such boors in matters of dress, it really doesn't much matter. "Casual" can mean anything that is not "naked," I suppose, and even that nakedness thing is probably OK in many circles. (Unless someone like me shows up. and then it's just gross! I am well past the stage of looking good naked.)

Tonight, we'll gather for a casual kilted evening at the pub, and I'll wear a sweater with a plain shirt underneath, a rather plain bonnet, and black shoes and sporran. Kind of a cross between casual and very casual.

When in doubt, listen to Matt and Jock. Opt for quality, and don't let the cost deter you from the forgotten practice of saving for your purchase. Even a failry expensive kilt or sporaan can be paid for fairly shortly if you are determined. (For the very young, forget that as it pertains to the kilt. Buy cheap and replace as you "expand yor horizons.")

I started to respong to Matt's original post when he first put it up, then I was called away, and the smarter folks beat me to it. Just one word of advice: don't forget ebay. You can get some very nice quialty used stuff there if you are persistent.

[Jack Daw]

For casual, I plan on donning a tweed (sans tie), sweater or short leather jacket depending on the autumn and winter temps.