Quality or quantity.....?

[sjrapid]

Let's tallk about what it costs to make a kilt. I've done this before, eh, but it's been a while.
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So at any sort of reasonable estimate, paying a living wage in the USA, a custom, mostly hand-sewn wool tartan kilt has GOT to cost a minimum of $535.
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NOBODY IS GETTING RICH, MAKING KILTS.

I agree with Alan H's point. I've recently purchased a custom 'tank' as my first kilt (a 9-yard in 16oz Lochcarron Strome in Gunn Modern pleated to the Sett).

My comparison for this purchase was what I'd spend on clothing with a similar level of customisation and craftsmanship - one of my three custom (bespoke, made for me) 2-piece suits, which I wear to work.

Considering the similarities between ordering a bespoke suit and ordering a custom 'tank' kilt:

I get measured exactly so the resulting garment fits me - check
I get to choose the fabric pattern/tartan from thousands of choices- check
I get to specify the weight of the cloth - check
I get to discuss the details with my tailor/kiltmaker and specify them -
Suit: number and position of pockets, vents, lining colour, lapel style, etc. Kilt: number and style of buckles, strap colour and length, pleating style, fringing, etc. - check check
The garment is individually made for me - check
I get a fitting during making-up - check

The result in each case is something beautifully made and long lasting, that makes me feel really good when I wear it.

Now I buy my suits from a small tailor in London. They're computer cut, and machine sewn. As Alan H pointed out, the material cost is far lower than for a kilt. The suit will cost me about £600-700.

I bought my kilt from a small kiltmaker in Aberdeen. The kilt is hand cut and hand-sewn. The kilt costs me £440.

Even allowing for the extra expense of buying expensive material, and what my kiltmaker tells me is 18 hours labour, the custom kilt still looks more than fair value when compared to the cost of a suit.

The thing that drove me to bespoke suits was the fact that they fit well, are beautifully made and have lasted for far longer and look better than the off-the-peg stuff I used to buy. For me, they represent better value. Riverkilt has made the cost-of-ownership over time point very neatly.

I made a similar decision about my first kilt - and I'm hoping that my kilt will be equally long-lasting.

Now please don't get me wrong here. I'm not trying to upset anyone who doesn't like or doesn't want or can't justify the expenditure on custom tank kilts. I'm simply trying to shed some additional light on what I see as the comparable quality/customisation/craftsmanship point in the bifurcated clothing market.

All the best