Cost!

[arrogcow]

I was. I spent years trying to find an affordable kilt. Finally I got somewhat lucky. I bought an ex-hire (but never worn) from Thomas Gordon in Glasgow. I paid under $300 for it. I kind of felt the same way about Utilikilts (seemed a lot of money for something I would only wear occasionally), but I decided to bo for it. As I type I an wearing he first UK I bought (almost 4 years ago). And it still looks in better condition that any pair of jeans I ever had longer than six months.

[davedove]

The high cost is also why so many people only own one kilt and only wear it for special occasions. They feel it's too risky to chance something happening to such an expensive garment.

[Andrew Breecher]

I hiked 2,174 miles last year. The clothing I went through:

6 pairs of socks
2 pairs of gaiters
4 pairs of shoes
3 shirts

All of the above were thrown out because they were all so worn out. Unuseable. However, my kilt is still in such good condition that I continue to wear it around town as a clean, neat, kilt. I plan on wearing it for another two long hikes, putting a total of 8,000 miles on it. I have no doubts it will stand up to the abuse of snow, rain, deserts, mountains, and river fords, just as it already has. The only spot of wear on it is on one belt loop in the rear. A kilt is a good investment.

Andrew.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Part of the reason that kilt prices (and accessory prices) have gone up a lot lately (for us in America, at least) is due to the fluxuating exchange rate. The pound to dollar ration is not to the advantage of someone in the US importing British goods. So while the prices from the manufacturers in the UK have actually remained steady, the retail prices in the US continue to climb year after year as the dollar looses value to the pound.

Another comment, about those who would want to try a kilt out before they buy one. Rent a kilt! Especially if the occasion is something like a wedding. Renting a full kilt outfit is not much more expensive than renting a tux, especially if you happen to live near a kilt hire place and can avoid shipping costs. I know people who have rented a kilt (just the kilt, no jacket) to wear at a festival, precisely because they wanted to see if they liked wearing it enough to buy one.

This is both less expensive that purchasing one of the kilt-alternatives that Alan mentioned (he quoted $75 and $110, and you can generally rent just the kilt/sporran for around $50), and you get the experience of actually trying an honest-to-goodness hand tailored woolen kilt.

I have to chuckle a bit when people tell me that they would love to own a traditional kilt if they could only afford one, and then I find out that they own three Utilikilts (for example). If you take that money and add it up, it would just about get you a traditional kilt, which you are much more likely to pass on to your children and grandchildren.

We have kilts in our museum that are 200 years old, and in good enough shape that someone could still wear them if they were so inclined. So I tell people that a kilt is an investment that will last your lifetime, and then some. It will be a family heirloom. Sure it is not cheap. But what quality item is? It is worth every penny if you enjoy wearing it. The only expensive kilt is the one you never wear.

Aye,
Matt

[macwilkin]

Part of the reason that kilt prices (and accessory prices) have gone up a lot lately (for us in America, at least) is due to the fluxuating exchange rate. The pound to dollar ration is not to the advantage of someone in the US importing British goods. So while the prices from the manufacturers in the UK have actually remained steady, the retail prices in the US continue to climb year after year as the dollar looses value to the pound.

When people ask me about getting started in wearing a kilt, I usually tell them about Canadian kiltmakers like Hector Russell's Toronto branch, Burnett & Struth, Bear, etc., since the exchange rate with Canada is much better then with the pound at present. Or American traditional kilt makers like Kathy Lare, Barb or Cyndi.

I have to chuckle a bit when people tell me that they would love to own a traditional kilt if they could only afford one, and then I find out that they own three Utilikilts (for example). If you take that money and add it up, it would just about get you a traditional kilt, which you are much more likely to pass on to your children and grandchildren.

I've thought about getting some sort of "casual kilt" now and then, but this same line of thought always stops me -- why spend the money on a "casual" when I can save a wee bit more and get a traditional? If I wore a kilt everyday, then maybe a casual would be make more sense -- but since I wear the kilt for Scottish functions, educational programs, etc., a traditional kilt is the better option for me -- it may not be right for someone else though.

Matt was "spot on": for some, the traditional kilt will be an "hierloom" -- something that can be passed on to another generation -- and that is something that is priceless in the long run.

Cheers,

Todd

[Archangel]

My army surplus kilt has an '83 date on it. I bought it on eBay for about $CDN250. The stains on the lining show that it was well used. What other clothing is going to look so new and timeless despite the actual age and wear?