Just can't win (jackets again)

**arrogcow** · 3rd April 06, 05:48 AM

I know I've talked about cheap tweed jackets before. I finally decided that I wanted a tweed in time for Easter, but I have been unwilling to pay the prices that are charged (more in a minute). So, I have been searching E-bay for nearly two months hoping something will show up in my size. After losing several auctions, I gave up and raised the price I was willing to pay. The result, I won a perfect jacket. However, it came on Sat and is just slightly too small (the perils of buying sight unseen), it seems to be a 40R and I need a 42.

So I gave up. I began searching the web to see if anything else could be found. A google link took me to a kiltstore page. Now I'm thinking that they have never had a jacket in anything close to what I thought was a fair price before, how can they now. Instead I find myself looking at a Harris Tweed jacket that is $192. Quickly I log in here and then back tothe kilt store to see what the discount would be. $173 cool (ok not completely cool since I can buy non kilt tweeds for under $125, but still the best I've seen), where is my wallet.

But wait, I finally realize, it's not a kilt jacket just a regular cut tweed jacket. So back to looking at their site. The cheapest tweed kilt jactets are (with the Xmark discount) is $256 for a Crail and $258 for an Argyle (and these are stock sizes not a tailor made.

I'm so mad I can't see straight. There is NO reason that the crail should cost more that a suit cut jacket (really do epaulettes cost $75 to put on).

Somebody please get on the ball and start making a reasonable kilt jacket.

Adam

**bjcustard** · 3rd April 06, 06:33 AM

http://cgi.ebay.com/MENs-SIZE-42-ETT...QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/SUPERB-HEAVY-HAR...QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/SUPERB-RARE-HEAV...QQcmdZViewItem

**arrogcow** · 3rd April 06, 06:45 AM

The first one I had seen (and may end up bidding on since they are only about 70 miles from me and I culd save shipping - I actually lived in that town for about 5 years as a kid). The other two probably won't end in time for me to get them for Easter (and one is ugly).

Still though even the first one is priced higher that I really think it is worth (though it is close).

Adam

**davedove** · 3rd April 06, 07:22 AM

Unfortunately, kilt jackets are still specialty items and are not mass produced like regular cut jackets, so you're going to have to pay for that. You might get lucky and find one in your sale for sale somewhere. As far as I know, there aren't even any cheap Pakistani made jackets.

Unless kilt wearing becomes more widespread and thus the need for jackets cut for kilts increases, the situation will remain the same.

I have found that since kilt jackets are so much more expensive, I go ahead and get made to measure jackets. They fit me much better and are only a little more expensive.

**Panache** · 3rd April 06, 07:50 AM

Arrogcow,

I feel your pain, I too have been scouring the web and bidding (unsuccessfully) on E-Bay for a size 40 kilt jacket. A friend recommended Sandy St James Bagpipe supplies :

http://www.stjamesbagpipes.com/index.html

They have Argyle jackets for $200.

I've started looking in the thrift stores for a coat to convert to a kilt jacket.
Check out Alan's thread on converting a jacket (and link to his website on how he did it) in kilt accessories

Good Luck

**Zardoz** · 3rd April 06, 10:46 AM

I've been sweating that same issue, why pay more for a tweed coat than I've paid for most of my kilts? I finally ordered this Jacket/ Waistcoat combo from Scottishkilts for under $300 ;

http://scottishkilts.net/products/sc...waistcoat.html

**Colin** · 3rd April 06, 11:04 AM

Unfortunately they are still a specialty item, and therefore a Walmart version has not come out yet. Besides ebay, converting a regular sport coat, or ordering a real one, most people are SOL. They are after all meant for Highalnd dress, not use for everyone on a day to day basis (with trousers). It's the same reason traditional kilts are still fairly expensive.

I am sure that someone will come up with a really cheap jacket to go with the cheaper styles of kilts these days, it just hasn't happned yet. Who will be the first?

**ByDand** · 3rd April 06, 11:08 AM

Adam, I just won an Argyll jacket on eBay and the total cost with shipping was about $180. I received the jacket in about one week without any customs problems. I won the jacket from Graham Muir at Tartan Kilts in Edinburgh. If you email him at info@tartan-kilts.org I am sure he has other jackets and will work with you. The Argyll came in my size and looked as though it were tailor made for me. You may want to give him a chance to help you. Hope it works out for you.