Scotweb Essential Casual KIlt in only 77 fabrics...

[Pipersson]

Hi all!

I was just browsing through Scotweb's site and saw that they offer their essential casual kilt in only 77 fabrics and only lightweight. No single colours and no tweeds available any more. (was thinking of a greem Cheviot by MM in 16 oz.)
That makes it completely uninteresting...for me.

Tom

[unixken]

A limited materials selection is likely the difference between their "Essential" line, and the rest of their products. Their standard "Casual Kilt" can be had in just about any tartan, tweed, or plain fabric.

[Pipersson]

Yes, but a few days ago you had all these options in the essential range too. The number of fabrics was smaller, about 500-600, but you had heavy-and medium weight fabrics too...
The difference in price is still explainable because the workmanship is less complex.
77 lightweight fabrics are hardly a serious choice for a passionate kiltwearer...

[unixken]

If you pose a question in the Scotweb section, perhaps Nick could shed some light on the subject.

[Pipersson]

Ah, thanks for the hint :-)

[Nick Fiddes]

Indeed I can explain... Yes, we have recently re-defined our Essential Casual Kilt offering, and expect to do something similar with other products, including the 8 yard kilt. In terms of it being "a serious choice for a passionate kiltwearer", we feel it's still very much that... for anyone who is happy with picking a colour because they like the look, or who happens to find their name there. It's still a very high quality made-to-measure garment, not to be confused with cheap kilts found in the tartan tat outlets.

However, it's a Value range to offer a highly competitive entry point for anyone wanting a serious kilt, but without costing the earth. And as such, choice of tartans is the main restriction. We offer alternatives with an almost limitless range of fabric choices, as well as endless customisation options. These cost a bit more (or a lot more in some cases) which reflects many factors, including complexity of fulfillment, which is a real time cost to us.

We take a number of factors into consideration in presenting our offer to the world, and often this involves reconciling competing interests. So, for example, the "passionate kiltwearer" will perhaps actively enjoy considering endless options into the wee small hours over a dram, before deciding upon their final choice. But the novice may well prefer a much simpler choice, without having to deal with all the potential confusion of weighing up different materials, weights, selvedges, names, setts, palettes, mills, pleatings, accessories, etc. etc. etc. We want to offer something for everyone. Hopefully, we'll still have something for you... :-)

[kiltbook]

Mr. Fiddes, please excuse me for changing the subject, but I have a question about your book: Kilts and Tartan Made Easy. Your book was supposed to be released on Sunday, August 26, 2012, in the United States. Here is a link to two stores that sell the book:

http://www.target.com/p/kilts-and-ta...k/-/A-12462799

http://www.walmart.com/ip/10712512

Neither store has the book in stock. Please let us know when the book will be available for purchase in the United States. I would like to purchase a copy. Do you sell the book on your Scotweb store site, in case it is not released in the USA? If so, can you put the link on XMarks so members can buy the book. Thank you in advance for your kindness and time.

[Pipersson]

Hi Nick,

thanks for your reply.
I understand completely, but what was wrong about the alredy manageable selection you had before...
It is regrettable that there is only a lightweight choice which I do have the impression is not really interesting also for a kilt starter... particularly most experts advise to get a heavyweight fabric in every form of kilt - tradtitional or casual.
I understand your motivation but the offer seems to be much less interesting to me.

Best wishes,

Tom