Kilt packages?

[seanachie]

No way!!! Much prefer to buy from the individual craftsmen and kiltmakers. Better quality, get what I like instead of what's part of the package.

I think that should be qualified somewhat. If you are buying from an individual kilt maker of a good reputation, why would you reject a package offering out of hand? Rocky offers packages, John Hart (Keltoi) offers packages and while I have not purchased one of their packages, but do own their kilts, I doubt that they would put their reputation at risk with low quality goods.

[davidg]

All good responses so far but I think the answer boils down to two things

First, the quality. Is everything of the quality you want?

Second, the style. A kilt jacket, sporran or other item you particularly want may simply not be available from that particular supplier so must influence your final decision

As Rocky said, most outfitters will adjust the package for you, even to the point of leaving certain items out of the package if need be. There is no simple answer but if you don't ask, you don't get

[CMcG]

Not all packages are created equal, so it is hard to give a categorical "aye" or "nay." If there is an economic incentive, then it seems like a good idea. ForresterModern's comments, however, are an important consideration in terms of location and the real cost of a package that must be shipped internationally.

The other consideration is if everything in the package is actually desirable. If so, then it seems like a good idea. I am somewhat leery, however, of the idea of a package and the potential to end up looking like a cookie cutter kiltie. If someone was looking at a package as a way of facilitating their purchase, there is a real danger of looking like a one is wearing a rental outfit. For me, part of the joy of kilt ownership is putting my own personal flare into it. As RockyR said many vendors might allow upgrading of individual items.

[Laird_M]

From a purely personal point of view, I buy mine as seperates from various suppliers as I find I can get an outfot for a couple of hundred less.
OK, quality may possibly vary but so far I've been happy with my purchases and it means that I can buy items as and when I can afford them rather than having to save up for three years only to find the price has gone up, the supplier has gone bust or they've dropped stuff.

If you've got the money, get it in one go, if not piecemeal works for me.

[Chas]

The thing with kilt packages is that they are what the vendor wants to sell, rather than what the purchaser wants to buy.

On the face of it, it looks like a good deal. But not so when you break it down to the parts.

Ghillie brogues - not worn everyday, if at all. The word "rental" gets whispered.

White hose - Rental gets shouted.

Tartan flashes - can look very cheap - another sign of rental

Sgian Dubh - Too shiny. Says cheap rental.

Kilt pin - Swords, swords - everybody's got swords. Whispers cheap rental.

Bit of a trend starting here.

'Kilt package' kilts are never the best quality. They tend to be in generic or universal tartans. 5 yards rather than 8, 24" length and often acrylic rather than wool. You are never going to find MacKenzie Hunting, Brown, Weathered, 16oz in a kilt package.

Shirt - White cotton or polycotton. Probably the best value for money of the whole deal.

Black bow tie - These are usually awful - get someone else to throw it away, so you don't have to touch it. In the UK a quality pre-tied black bow tie starts at £25. The ones you get in kilt packages look as if they were made by child slave labour in China. Can you hear the big brass band playing "Rental, Rental, Rental"?

Waistcoat - Check that it matches the jacket. Sometimes the jacket and waistcoat are made in different factories, hundreds of miles apart from slightly different fabrics. Usually 3 button - OK for formal. Not OK for business or equivalent events.

Jacket - Check it matches. More often than not it will be a PC - black tie events only, after 6pm. Wear it during the day and the brass band is marching behind you again.

Almost forgot the sporran. Either a white, rabbit skin, full dress, with shiny cantle or leather and bovine and called semi-dress. Both are best left in the cupboard.

Sometimes, included is the fly plaid (how often will you wear it) and a plaid broach (often with a plastic "Cairngorme").

The whole package will work, but only for a few hours on one day of the year, but does not represent value for money.

Far better to buy the kilt and the accessories that you want, for the type of events that you attend.

Regards

Chas

[RockyR]

Before you lump all packages in a 'package', be aware that many vendors (UK and US) allow for different tartans, not just universal ones.

Many of the items you say 'smacks of rental' are offered b/c they are the MOST POPULAR items. We have kilt pins of all shapes and designs. Guess which sell the best? Sword shapes. We have sgian dubhs of many designs with and without stones, with wood, resin or stag horn handles. Guess which one sells best? Shiny metal bits. I wear Ghillie Brogues every time I wear kilt hose... no one has ever accused me of looking like a rental in my tweed jackets and ghillies. Tartan Flashes... many colors / styles of flashes are offered and all are cheaper than the Matching Flashes. Guess which we sell most of with wool kilts? Tartan Flashes.

Sporran... that's down to personal preference. Again, you stated that Semi Dress and Dress sporrans should both be left in the cupboard. That leaves relatively slim 'pickings' for formal events... day sporrans, hunting sporrans, full mask and horsehair sporrans (as general categories). I understand that Dress sporrans may not be your cuppa tea, but guess which is the most popular we sell for formal occasions? You guessed it... the standard dress sporran (and yes, we have several dozen sporrans available on display in the shop in all styles, many of which are original designs).

Does this mean that the general kilt wearing public is going to look ghastly when selecting an outfit? No... it means they have a different opinion than yours on what looks good.

Again, packages are put together to give the public a discount for buying everything at once. Some companies offer CHOICES on what tartan, what sporran (or even type of sporran), what kilt pin, what sgian dubh, what buckle, what kilt pin, etc to get. This ALLOWS the customer to personalize the package to their own taste. While not all companies do it, many do, so please don't 'poo poo' packages when they're not all 'cookie cutter'.

The thing with kilt packages is that they are what the vendor wants to sell, rather than what the purchaser wants to buy.

On the face of it, it looks like a good deal. But not so when you break it down to the parts.

Ghillie brogues - not worn everyday, if at all. The word "rental" gets whispered.

White hose - Rental gets shouted.

Tartan flashes - can look very cheap - another sign of rental

Sgian Dubh - Too shiny. Says cheap rental.

Kilt pin - Swords, swords - everybody's got swords. Whispers cheap rental.

Bit of a trend starting here.

'Kilt package' kilts are never the best quality. They tend to be in generic or universal tartans. 5 yards rather than 8, 24" length and often acrylic rather than wool. You are never going to find MacKenzie Hunting, Brown, Weathered, 16oz in a kilt package.

Shirt - White cotton or polycotton. Probably the best value for money of the whole deal.

Black bow tie - These are usually awful - get someone else to throw it away, so you don't have to touch it. In the UK a quality pre-tied black bow tie starts at £25. The ones you get in kilt packages look as if they were made by child slave labour in China. Can you hear the big brass band playing "Rental, Rental, Rental"?

Waistcoat - Check that it matches the jacket. Sometimes the jacket and waistcoat are made in different factories, hundreds of miles apart from slightly different fabrics. Usually 3 button - OK for formal. Not OK for business or equivalent events.

Jacket - Check it matches. More often than not it will be a PC - black tie events only, after 6pm. Wear it during the day and the brass band is marching behind you again.

Almost forgot the sporran. Either a white, rabbit skin, full dress, with shiny cantle or leather and bovine and called semi-dress. Both are best left in the cupboard.

Sometimes, included is the fly plaid (how often will you wear it) and a plaid broach (often with a plastic "Cairngorme").

The whole package will work, but only for a few hours on one day of the year, but does not represent value for money.

Far better to buy the kilt and the accessories that you want, for the type of events that you attend.

Regards

Chas

[Chas]

I will agree to disagree with you.

Regards

Chas

[fshguy]

Matt and Rocky,

Just out of curiosity, what percentage of customers do you have come in and buy an outfit soup to nuts? Of those, what level of dress is most popular?

[RockyR]

Not sure what we're disagreeing with as I'm stating facts as our company has history of sales of specific items, but for opinions stated (both yours and mine), I will be happy to agree to disagree.

That's one thing this forum is very good for... showing multiple sides / multiple thoughts on an issue (usually in a very civil manner ).

I will agree to disagree with you.

Regards

Chas

[davidg]

While not all companies do it, many do, so please don't 'poo poo' packages when they're not all 'cookie cutter'.

I have to agree with Rocky. I have purchased a "package" from Geoffrey Tailor in Edinburgh in the past and had complete freedom of choice over all the contents, including a full 8 yard 16oz in the tartan of MY choice, and also chose to add some and delete other items. Not all packages are equal, I agree, but neither are all packages "cookie cutter" either