While considering kilt prices on the internet recently, I had to raise an eyebrow while looking at this website.

http://www.whitethistle.net/

The kilts sold here look high quality. Indeed, the descriptions and price lists are equally impressive. A product description goes something like this:

"10,000 PERMANENT STITCHES, 60 HOURS TO SEW, AVERAGE PLEATS 27-30".

The price calculated as follows:

" 40.00 BPS x $1.60 exchange rate = $64.00 x 28.4% duty x 8 yards = $657.408 ~ $675.40 + $64.00 SHI/S = 721.40 cost of tartan and to that $350.00 kilt labor = $1071.40 + $35.00 SHI/US =$1106.40 Price of your kilt in this order."

My hat goes off to anyone who can create these wonderful garments. And personally, I view good kiltmakers as designers, technicians, craftspeople, and artisans and I don't begrudge for a single moment the cost of a hand made kilt. The puzzling question in my mind is this. Considering the example kilt stated above, the labor cost divided by the number of hours stated means that the kiltmakers get $5.83 / hour for their trouble! Am I missing something here? Is this typical in the industry? If this is true, then kiltmaking, at even double that rate, is a true labor of love. I say "Bravo" to kiltamkers for their skill and their tenacity.