Just a whiney complaint...

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I hear you loud and clear echoing the complaints I first heard forty-odd years ago. The truth of the matter is that highland attire has always been expensive-- and the better the quality, the more it costs. It is also an excellent investment because, if well cared for, it will last for decades. With this in mind I always suggest that a person should buy the very best available-- 16oz traditional kilt; silver mounted sporran; a proper sgian dubh with silver mounts; tartan or diced hose; buckle and strap shoes; made to measure (or bespoke) doublet and waistcoat. You don't have to buy it all at once, but if you budget wisely, in 3-5 years everything on this short list could be in your closet. Believe me, what may seem like an extravagance today will seem like the bargain of the century in ten years time.

[David Dubh]

All things are relative.As poited out earlier the original kilt was a plaid blanket fastened at the waist with a belt, it would be about 4 yards with the top arranged to protect the wearer with a lein underneath. The material for the kilt would have been woven and dyed locally this is were the concept of clan tartans came from. Dyes would have been from local plants and berries thus the colours and patterns would be different from area to area. The kilt would have been removed for fighting and the lein tied under, the crotch to keep it out of the way. If you check with the scottish tartan museum the small kilt that we know today would only have been 4 yards,even in early victorian times then some bright spark figured out that they could make more money selling an 8 yard kilt.
All that aside If you were to go to a tailor and have a suite hand made I'm sure that the cost would be closer to a highland outfit. Most mens clothing today is ready made, made "off shore" and in volume to make it more cost effective. My latest jacket purchased at Hector Russell was not hand made in the UK and cost half the price of a brittish made one.