I think you presented it perfectly. Some people will want only the truly authentic, and this is fine for them. But they shouldn't go around insulting other people's choices of less expensive clothing. It's almost like jeans in a way. You can go ahead and pay $350 for a pair if you like, but for the majority, Levis does just fine. Same thing for suits, cars, etc. The bottom line is most people cannot afford a hand sewn tank. They are too expensive for most budgets. And then, due to the cost, a lot of people will not want to wear it often out of fear of messing it up.
Of course, there are many times that those of us who do prefer the more traditional route when it comes to kilts are insulted as "snobs", "elitists", etc. Horses for courses and all that.

And I would disagree with your statement that most people cannot afford a hand-sewn tank; most people can, if they save their pennies. I bought my first tailor-made kilt when I was in university, and we all know the "poor college student" stereotype.

And, I have worn my tailor-mades to formal and casual events; yes, I try to be careful, but a traditional hand-sewn is not a delicate garment to be mollycoddled; there's a reason why the Highland regiments of the British Army wore them.

Good things come to those who wait, my granny always said.

T.