I guess the question is, can you afford wool and can you wear wool. A wool kilt is the best but it has it's days when you wished you had a lighter less itchy fabric. If you can't afford a 8yrd wool then you need to go to a blend like poly- wool, PV etc. If you buy Stillwater off the rack are you going to be happy with the fit and acrylic. Can you get a more custom made kilt in alternate fabrics from good North American kiltmakers, of course. Everyone here has there favorites ( Canadian Casual Kilts), or a few favorites. All you need to decide is what best suits you. Then find the kiltmakers that will make it for you. Most of them are here on this site. You can get a lot for a little investment. Get a decent kilt to wear, then blow a little more on wool when you get the cash later.

Kilted Stuart