Would you buy an off-the-rack kilt?

[MacBean]

I might if conditions were met, but personally, one of the things I like best about kilts is that I can know who made them and sold them to me, I can develop a relationship with them, which carries on to the joy of wearing them.

One way to improve on the ready-made aspect of clothes is if someone special gives them to you.

[Tobus]

Interesting replies so far... and it looks like from the poll results that the vast majority here like the idea of 'off the rack' kilts.

As I mentioned earlier, I'm not a 'normal' size fellow, so I can almost never find anything 'off the rack' that fits me. From shoes to socks to p@nts to shirts, to everything else I wear, nothing seems to fit me well unless it's custom made for me. All my life I've been wearing ill-fitting clothes because the idea of bespoke clothing never occurred to me. As I got into kilts, suddenly there was an option to buy a garment that was made purposely to fit me. I don't have to worry about whether the maker's "standard sizing" will apply to me; it is made to my exact measurements. That makes kilts all the more special to me, as silly as it sounds.

At this point, I think even if I saw an "off the rack" kilt that seemed to be in my size (assuming it was in my tartan, which probably would never happen), I don't know if it would appeal to me. Because the kilt wasn't made for me.

[GG]

Again, it's just my opinion but I feel it in not a matter of paying more for something than I ought too when purchasing a kilt. I also disagree with the notion of living on a budget as a rational for buying cheap. I purchased my first kilt, which was a tank, while serving as an E-4 in the Army. Wealthy I was not, I can assure you of that. I just saved and saved some more till I eventually could afford one.

I think we are pretty much on line, after all. There is nothing wrong with paying a high price for something you really go for. I do it myself, as I wrote.

My point is, however, that no one should feel shameful when buying am even thrifty kilt off the rack - or anything else for that matter - if that is what he thinks he will or can offer right away. Saving up is good but it could be a long term process with many obstacles delaying the purchase.

And the difference between an expensive and a cheap kilt might not be that big – looked at from a distance of several meters.

Can you tell if my watch is approximately a $100, a $1.000 or a $3.000 one? Unless you are interested in watches I'm pretty much sure you cannot. You don't need to answer.

Is my kilt a $100, a $300 one?






Greg
www.dress2kilt.eu

[OC Richard]

Is my kilt a $100, a $300 one?

I would guess that it's not a $500 one, as the sett size looks too small for 16oz kilting fabric, and far smaller than the full MOD sett size.

Also it could just be the photo rendering, but the colours don't seem to be at full intensity.

[GG]

I would guess that it's not a $500 one, as the sett size looks too small for 16oz kilting fabric, and far smaller than the full MOD sett size.

Also it could just be the photo rendering, but the colours don't seem to be at full intensity.

You are absolutely right and you have some good points.

This kilt is one of my first and cheapest. It is a PVC kilt - not acryllic as most cheap kilts - as far as I can judge. The finish is far from being perfect, however.
It is a 4 yard kilt - at the maximum. The kilt shop (Tartanwear-direct in Glasgow) does not exist any longer but for the £39 I paid it was about all right.

I very seldom wear it. The Royal Stewart tartan might be a little bit too much connected with kilted skirts, I'm afraid and the colors are too loud for my taste. They are more intense red than rendered in the picture, as you suggest.

But for just knocking about it is OK to me - sometimes.

Greg

www.dress2kilt.eu

[davedove]

I have bought off the rack before, but I'm much less likely to do so now. Now, I much prefer to buy a tailored kilt, because they fit better and I can get exactly what I want.

[morrison]

Can I assume we're talking about tanks rather than mail order?
My kilts are all "off the rack."
Kilts bought "off the rack" are not an easy sell.
I've test fitted hundreds of suits, and a few kilts. An off the rack suit is too time consuming to find the correct fit. Even more difficult I think would be an "off the rack" kilt.
Having a premium tank is another find altogether.
For more than five hundred dollars, and stretching toward a thousand, my kilt will be tailored to my body for the perfect fit.
Made to specs is the better way to buy a kilt.
I've posted a "no" vote.

[thescot]

I have a Leatherneck tartan kilt from SWK I purchased because I reall got the hots for one a couple years ago and deicde to try it out.

I would not purchase another. It's fine, but it's not a custom kilt, so why not just wait until you can buy a good one? I spent about a year and a half saving my pennies for a custom kilt which is being delivered this week. I started the whole process a year ago last April when I purchased the wool on sale.

How's that for patience!

[wildrover]

I'm an average-sized guy, so...good wool, correct length, tartan I wanted, good fit, yes, I'd buy one off the rack. That combination isn't likely, so I ordered custom.