Real kilt v cheap kilts - Edinburgh retailers

[English Bloke]

Yes, but is the Chevy a real car?...

[Chas]

Ok, this I can get my head around....Thanks. But i still think that all kilts are "real" despite where they are made or what they are made of. Kinda like a Rolls and a Chevy are both cars.

I agree. Barb Tewksbury makes wonderful kilts - does anybody here at XMarks disagree. There is even a Barbara Tewksbury Owners Group here. But she chooses to make her kilts in a variety of places, most of which are not Scotland. In fact, I do not believe that she has made a kilt in Scotland! Does that mean that all her works of art are not kilts? It would take a very brave and silly man to say so.

Is Scottish wool the best in the world? Some would say not. In truth, many would say not. There are many wools from many parts of the world which have a softer 'hand', a better feel on the skin.

In the end a kilt is a kilt. If the Scottish Parliament cannot decide what is a kilt, it would be arrogant of us the think we know better.

Regards

Chas

[SteveB]

I am sorry that I might have offended anyone....

My post was somewhat tongue in cheek. As some have their own perceptions, I wished to make comparisons of the whole range of kilts.

I referred to my contemporary kilts as "wrap around garments" in the same light. To me they are all kilts, with some being more "traditional" than others.

I have a hand sewn TANK of Canadian wool that is the same as my Scot wool TANK. I was just having fun at the whole idea that a National Pride could set a limit on a Real Kilt as one only sewn in Scotland. The same quality can be found from Matt, BarbT, Kathy Lare, Chattancat, etc., etc.

Slainte

[Snowbear]

From the way I judge a kilt, it's not about the kilt itself. A real kilt will be made with some sort of care. A cheap, mass produced kilt will not look good in my eyes, no matter how much the wool costs.

If the kilt is made of a person that knows what he/she is doing, and makes the whole garment to the best perfection possible. Then you have a real kilt. It's not the fabric itself, or the country it's made in that makes the difference. The kilt should be looking perfectly pleathed to eighter the set, or the stripe. A real kilt for me is something more than just a "woolen skirt with pleats", it's the tradition and good work that makes it a real kilt.
When you see two persons go next to each other. One with a £20 kilt, the other with a expencive kilt. Then you will know the difference that can be described with more than a thousand words.

[MacBean]

When someone goes to paint their first picture, they don't go out and purchase an easel, Windsor and Newton oils, #7 sable brushes. Certainly children don't. They get a cheap water color set and find out if they like it first. The only problem with this is that oil paints are nothing like water colors, and they may reach a different conclusion than if they had experienced the real thing.

(Never trust arguments by analogy, they are persuasive but invalid)

[GunnHighlander]

I thought I'd chime in on this lively discussion, seeing as how it has gained some momentum. IMHO, I can see and somewhat agree with all the modern, very valid points where kilts and kilt wearing are conserned. I feel as though It most likely comes down to "point of view". Strictly speaking from a "modern" view point, I've always thought that you can "dress down" a "real" kilt, but you can not "dress up" a casual or "cheap" kilt.
Having said that, I think the idea of what a "real" kilt actually is, is whats up for debate. Somehow I don't believe the originators of the historical kilt were worried about "swish" or "flow", yardage, or pleating options. They were conserned with keeping warm as cheaply as possible. Ask any living historian and they will agree. The Kilt as a historical garment was not a fashion statement with a set of rules, as it has become in modern times. I don't say that as a bad thing, just an interesting note on the progression of a historically iconic garment. The modern kilt is a strikingly beautiful garment, but it also has modern, un-written "standards" of construction, materials, appropriate wear, and visually pleasing guidelines, that have become somewhat of a tradition of their own. The idea of rules, guidlines, prices, construction, when to wear it, are all modern day constructs. This is not to say that someone can or should wrap a table cloth around them and call it a kilt, but rather following some semblence of the historical garment should be adhered to, otherwise it's not a kilt. Further more, IMO, the modern "full kilt" has a look all it's own, and has a much more full, grand, look than a cheaper one, but again that is a modern idea.
Having said all that, I don't think there is anything wrong with a first "cheap" kilt, if it exposes new people to the history, honor, traditions, folklore, lifestyle, and culture of the people from whence the kilt came. Prices of materials, construction, knowhow, and shipping has made the making of a modern kilt very expensive. The economy, budget, or casual kilts give the wearer a sense of "involvement", or "belonging" with out breaking the bank, or finding out it's not for them. If it is for them, then I see a natural progression to a full kilt as the next step. Just my opinion, please don't fillet me for that.

[Dale Seago]

To me, a kilt is a matter of "traditional construction" more than "traditional materials" (genuine Scottish-made wool tartan).

And I think the less expensive "casual" kilts are an excellent "gateway drug" to get folks hooked on the harder wearing, more expensive stuff.

I love my woollies, both modern and old-style (feileadh mor and feileadh beag). Yet I wear my Stillwater Standard (acrylic) kilts or Buzz Kidder canvas kilts much more often than any of those.

[starbkjrus]

Yes, but is the Chevy a real car?...

Some would say yes, some would say no. I would say.....'it's just a Vauxhall'.

[Chukta]

You get what you pay for.

[Woot22]

You get what you pay for.

This is my opinion as well. I am not rich by any means. But I will save and save some more until I can afford quality before settling for something less than. Just my opinion.