First off, a shout-out of praise to XMarks! Got a new story to tell.
Yesterday I was in my local work-clothing store, a couple of pair of kilt hose in hand, matching colours on some shirts I need. The assistant manager stopped over to see if I needed help, and I showed her the hose and told her I'd brought them in with me.
"Kilts?" she asked. (She's a lass from Oz.) "What's your size, then?" I told her my waist is around a 38.
"C'mere," she said, and led the way to the back of the store. As it happened they had a Blaklader kilt in a 38 waist -- a special order that turned out to be too small for the customer when it arrived. It'd been lying around for about six months, while she wondered what to do with it.
I looked it over and remarked that it certainly has a quirky construction. I enquired as to the price -- she said it was listed at $140 but that if it fit me she'd let it go for her cost, $60. I was still on the fence, though leaning heavily toward buying it.
I asked for a couple of days to think on it, secure in the knowledge that it would more than likely still be there if I came back.
I paid the rest of my purchases and left. Back at my office, I logged on here and searched out Blaklader. That pretty much made up my mind. For $60, I could have a good beater that could be worn out in the fields, digging and doing farm work. Same price as a good pair of work pants.
So today I tried it on -- it's a "breathe out, hold it..." fit, but I won't need a belt until I work off some more winter insulation.
So I bought it.
And gave her one of Steve's cards, because I had some spares, and talked kilts because her family originated in Scotland, and she gave me a discount card good for the next time I'm in to buy something.
As a kilt it's quirky -- the pleats are tapered from the waistband out, so they start with a 2.5 cm overlap and end at the hem completely open. Weird. But, hey, for $60 I ain't kicking. I'll be wearing it out in the garden this weekend!
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