bargain basement

**CMcG** · 21st July 10, 08:20 PM

Who's got the absolute, rock bottom, lowest price on a kilt? For those times when you need a true beater kilt and/or for people who are on the tightest of budgets. The results will of course vary depending on shipping to one's location, taxes, size costs, etc, so perhaps the question is better put: who's got the all-in, absolute, rock bottom, lowest price on a kilt FOR YOU?

I realize there is a wide range of options, and I would like those options to be open to the rabble. I will however limit the range just a tad:

Must have an apron in the front and pleats in the rear. The fell must be sewn down or have a sufficiently wide waistband to approximate the same effect. (This second point is a personal peeve; I think pleats that go all the way up or all the way around look too much like a skirt.)

The seller/maker must ship outside their own country. Just to be fair to the international members of this forum.

The seller/maker must sell to the public and have standard pricing. The excludes getting a one-off eBay score or self-made kilts.

So it's pretty wide open. Any fabric (wool, man-made, blend, etc), any pattern (tartan, solid, camo, etc), and any closer system (straps, snaps, Velcro, etc). This means traditional or modern kilts are both in the running.

I'm not asking who has the best quality, value, or service as long as the garment is actually a kilt. Those are all important considerations but, for the purpose of this thread, price is to be the only consideration.

The lowest price for me, so far is The Scotland Kilt Company's casual kilts for $55.81 USD (at today's exchange rate). This price includes shipping by Royal Mail! Polyester/acetate blend, fringed apron, 2 leather straps, and available in 14 tartans as well as solid black. And my lass can hem the standard 24" length for me.

**Nighthawk** · 21st July 10, 08:37 PM

I have one more considerations- size! Those of us who are "gentlemen of substance" often have a hard time finding things that fit. Stillwater Kilts is, at this point, the best option for us.

**CMcG** · 21st July 10, 08:51 PM

Originally Posted by Nighthawk

I have one more considerations- size! Those of us who are "gentlemen of substance" often have a hard time finding things that fit. Stillwater Kilts is, at this point, the best option for us.

Good point. In addition to the issue of finding the right size, I know some sellers charge a "substance" surcharge for larger sizes...

And of course many off-the-rack kilts come in only one length, often 24". This could potentially add another $20 or so for hemming, assuming 24" is not too short...

Perhaps I shall edit the OP to reflect the individuality of the "lowest" price...

**Nighthawk** · 21st July 10, 08:53 PM

Originally Posted by CMcG

Good point. In addition to the issue of finding the right size, I know some sellers charge a "substance" surcharge for larger sizes...

And of course many off-the-rack kilts come in only one length, often 24". This could potentially add another $20 or so for hemming, assuming 24" is not too short...

Perhaps I shall edit the OP to reflect the individuality of the "lowest" price...

Yeah, I had to throw a wrench in your works. I do that.

**Riverkilt** · 22nd July 10, 07:03 AM

There must be a line somewhere when such a "low price" garment ceases to be a "kilt" and becomes a "Kilt-like wrap around"...like the kilt printed beach towel that sells for about $20.

For me, quality was important even in my knock around kilts, so I bought from Utilikilts.

I understand you are seeking price. Seems a man would be better served by seeking value - but that would veer this thread off topic.

To answer the original post my response would be USA Kilts Casual in polyviscose if you can find a tartan you like from that company's selection. You can have the kilt sewn up to your correct length.

I would be most hesitant to take a low cost 24" length only kilt to a seamstress or tailor to have it hemmed to the proper length. Tartan kilts don't often have sewn hems (yes Utilikilts are hemmed) and why should you have to pay to do something uncommonly done by someone unfamiliar with the chore? Better to pay from the start and have a selvege or frayed edge to your low cost kilt.

Just my thoughts. Many enjoy low cost acetate kilts, "beater kilts."

My preference is to fork over my cash for a garment that causes people to look at me and think, "He's wearing a kilt," rather than to look at me and think, "What is that?"

Sorry, veering off track again. Lowest option would be the kilt imprinted beach towel/wrap at $20. Lowest price true kilt option would be USA Kilts Casual in polyviscose.

You can have any two of price, quality, or service.

You're looking for price and service, or just price. Its out there, most likely acetate and most likely made overseas and quite used to shipping internationally.

**artificer** · 22nd July 10, 07:18 AM

http://clothing.shop.ebay.com/i.html..._dmd=1&_ipg=50

Here's a quick pull of ebay. You can get a cheeeeeep kilt for $38~ plus shipping. It's pretty much guaranteed to be acrylic, and I can't speak to the needlework, but there you go.

**lethearen** · 22nd July 10, 07:37 AM

Stillwater Thrifties are under 30$ for anything up to 3XL, if that suits your pocketbook.

**CMcG** · 22nd July 10, 08:59 AM

Originally Posted by CMcG

<snip>
Must have an apron in the front and pleats in the rear. The fell must be sewn down or have a sufficiently wide waistband to approximate the same effect.

Thanks for the responses thus far.

I knew someone would suggest the "beach towel" kilt (no pleats) and the Stillwater Thrifty (pleats not sewn down) but unfortunately, they go against the criteria I set out. As Riverkilt stated, one must draw a line somewhere...

The eBay seller that Artificer mentioned pulls a classic trick by charging almost as much for shipping as for the low cost kilt itself, which works out to about $65.

By all accounts, USA Kilts P/V Casual are really great. For a made-to-measure kilt in my size, a Sport Kilt Works model is $10 less ($99). That's also the same price as a custom (though basic) Alt.Kilt.. Unfortunately, I would have to add shipping costs to any of those making them over double the cost of a poly/acetate kilt from the Scotland Kilt Co ($56 including shipping).

For the record, I don't yet own one of the poly/acetate kilts from the Scotland Kilt Co. I have handled one, however, and the material is much heavier than my Canadian Casual Kilts P/V. The construction appeared acceptable and there is no mistaking it for anything other than a kilt.

As for hemming, it is obviously not the best option for getting the right length but it is better IMHO than wearing a kilt too long. I suppose I'm lucky that both my lass and my mother can hem kilts, so I don't have to add an extra hemming cost or fork out extra money for a made-to-measure kilt.

**lethearen** · 22nd July 10, 01:04 PM

Originally Posted by CMcG

Stillwater Thrifty (pleats not sewn down) but unfortunately, they go against the criteria I set out.

Sorry, I wasn't aware of that when I suggested

SportKilt: Don't forget they charge extra to have the pleats sewn down.

Scotland Kilt Co: I have one; for the price, it's quite good and like you said definitely still says "kilt" and not "skirt".

**CaseyB** · 22nd July 10, 01:20 PM

Stillwater seems to also have an Economy line that may meet your criteria. They're $55 and here's what they say about them:

Made from the same fabric as our Standard model kilts
Pleats are sewn down at the hips- just like our Standard kilts!
Bottom edge is traditional selvedge, not hemmed
Three wide leather straps & sturdy buckles
Full-width lining
Belt loops
Full fringe on front apron edge
Easy-care acrylic fabric
Superior construction compared to other kilts in this price range