"Scottish-made" kilt

[Nanook]

However, I wasn't in the business 15 years ago, so if this kilt was made by them 15 years ago, I really couldn't comment. However, as I said above, just because the label says Lochcarron doesn't mean that they made the kilt.

15 years ago cheap kilts from the sub-continent were not terribly common-- just bagpipes and footballs.

First of all, those little hanger loops are completely superfulous.

They are definitely NOT superfluous. I find them quite handy for hanging a kilt by a peg. This can be essential. Its not, however, an issue of workmanship and easily added later.

Second of all, almost every kilt you see, whether it is made in Scotland, the US, Canada, Australia, or anywhere else, will probably have three straps. This is just the way kilts are usually made these days. That lower strap on the right hip is completely unneeded,

On modern lower sitting civilian or casual kilts they are without use but on traditional high rise kilts they are essential to proper fit.

A few things you mention would indicate a lack of quality. First, no canvas beneath the lining -- this is typical of casual kilts today -- 4 yard varieties. These usually don't have any canvas because in these cases the cloth inside the pleats is not cut out.

If the kilt is intended to hang from the hips (as skirts and many modern kilts) then one has little need for heavy canvas facings.

The fact that the buckles were sewn on with a machine is also a red flag.

Not really a red flag. I would not completely discount machines. There are many specialized machines that do a very good job. Some of the best tailors in the world will use machines when they are available. The talk of hand stitches is like "working" sleeve buttons on jackets: marketing. To throw more oil into the fire: I doubt if many people could tell the difference between machine and first grade hand stitches as the current generation of computer controlled machines do an extraordinary job of emulating and mimicking hand workmanship. Machines have come a long way from the days of Isaac Singer. Most of the Pakistani kilts, by contrast, are completely hand stitched and sewn.... (and not terribly accurate since they are paid by piece and need to work very fast)

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Nonook writes about the hanger loops:

They are definitely NOT superfluous. I find them quite handy for hanging a kilt by a peg. This can be essential. Its not, however, an issue of workmanship and easily added later.

You may like them, and use them, and good for you for doing so. However, I've got about 8 kilts currently hanging in my closet and not a one of them has these loops and I seem to get by just fine. So they are indeed superfluous, in the sense of not really being a neccesity.

Nanook also writes, of the lower strap on the right hip:

On modern lower sitting civilian or casual kilts they are without use but on traditional high rise kilts they are essential to proper fit.

I really have to disagree with you there. Not only is the lower strap not "essential to proper fit" it can actually have an adverse effect if fastened too tightly, making a crease across the front apron. Not having it allows the kilt apron to hang more natrually and move freely with the body when you stand or sit.

If you want to know why a lot of kilts today have them, read my blog post on the topic:
http://blog.albanach.org/2005/08/why...lt-straps.html

[Barb T]

I agree completely with Matt about the second strap. The only kilts that should have them are dancer's kilts, because it helps keep the apron edge from flying up when the dancer is dancing (particularly on a windy day). I try to talk guys out of having that second strap, because almost everyone pulls it tight, and the kilt doesn't look good across the front. Just the fact that the second strap needs to be buckled _loosely_ tells you right there that it's not doing anything structural in terms of holding the kilt on or making the kilt "fit properly".

And I do have to disagree about the hand stitching part. I would put my hand stitched pleats (where the stitching is completely invisible) up against anything that could be done by a machine. I have yet to see a machine that can stitch a pleat from the outside and not have any of the stitching show. Maybe there is a machine out there that I don't know about that can do this, but I'm skeptical that computer control is the answer here. (Note that I'm not talking about machine stitching pleats from the inside as Rocky does so well).

Barb

[Pour1Malt]

tae each his/her ain oan the 'third' strap an buckle...

personally, I would never wear a kilt wi' ainly twa straps...

it matters naught that it that it is no 'structural'...

it just lueks 'proper' tae me tae have three