Quote Originally Posted by davidg View Post
I'm not convinced there is a hostile attitude towards cheap kilts as such except in rare instances. I can, for example, understand why Edinburgh's oldest sporran maker might rant about cheaper sporrans imported from Pakistan taking away his trade. Or I can understand why Geoffrey (Tailor) or Hector Russell even, might complain about the Gold Brothers literally setting up shop next door to them and taking trade away with their cheap imports from Pakistan. That kind of hostility is quite understandable where it exists. The rest of us, I believe, are more hostile to the almost fraudulent way these cheap imports are marketed rather than towards the product itself

In Scotland, especially in Princes Street or the Royal Mile, tourists largely expect to see Scottish goods. Kilts made in Pakistan woven from cloth woven in Pakistan are clearly not Scottish made, but all the advertising screams out to the tourist that this is an "authentic Scottish product". It's not, and it is the lies and misrepresentation that upsets most of us

An acrylic kilt is not going to last or wear the same way as a woollen one. But that is perfectly OK if you know what you are buying. What is not OK is to be deceived as to what it is and be misled into thinking that the genuine article is merely the same but sold at rip off prices by the "quality" outlets. More honesty about the imported product would, surely, equal less hostility and give it the respect it really deserves, rather than the bad name it does not. In other words it is not the product itself people are hostile to, it is the people who sell them
I certainly agree that misleading labeling is reprehensible. And so is a description like “Scottish Highland Kilt. Authentic Woven Tartan,” used by Gold Brothers and others, selling acrylic Pakistani kilts.

However, this procedure might have stopped a long time ago, obviously without anybody having noticed (or had a wish to):

At least on a casual kilt I bought more than a year ago from Heritage of Scotland the label just says: “The Kilt”. It does not state that it has been made in Pakistan or where else, but on the other hand it does not with one word say Scottish or Scotland. And a kilt it is, like cheap jeans are just as much jeans as some labeled Levi’s or Wrangler.

By the way, there is a white label on this affordable kilt, informing about the fabric: “65% viscose rayon, 35% acetate fibre” it says. Everyone taking his time to read it will know then that it is not wool, should he not be able to feel it.

About kilt makers being annoyed that cheap competitors open shops close to them? Yes, of course they are. But this is how competition works. However, if the fine kilt makers sell better products and consumers are able to tell the difference and they find the price gap acceptable, they should not need worrying too much, I think.

PS. Most kilt shops, selling imported acrylic kilts, also sell wool kilts made in Scotland.