Ex-hire Tartan?

[biblemonkey]

A preface to my reply: Sorry if this comes off as defensive. That was not my intention. It seemed some missed the intent of the post and so I re-post to clear it up. My original question was a tongue in cheek comparison to see what kind of scrutiny I would dredge up. Thanks, however for your helpful suggestions and your heartfelt opinions.

In all, guys, I have investigated doing the Hynde. Like I said, I would have to buy a minimum shipment of the wool which for the mills I looked at would be around $500 all by itself (not including the international shipping), hire a kilt maker, etc, just to get a good Hynde kilt. The hynde is not a very oft used tartan and as such there are certain hoops you have to go through to get it. It’s like buying a puppy, not for the joy you would get in raising it and loving it, but so you can show everyone its breeding papers. The cost and trouble would get you pretty much the same end result but you would be different for the attitude you express in its display. All I was doing was pointing out that, being as I just like to wear kilts in general and most of the Scottish nationals that I know don't care what tartan you wear unless you are at a clan function or other formal gathering, and since I just wanted a decent substitute that I could afford instead of the custom made one-shot which I already explained would run me around $1,000 for one kilt, this seemed a good choice. As I said, my Scottish born grandmother doesn’t mind wearing the Maclean as an alternative to the Hynde for the same cost and availability issues and she doesn’t have any problem with me wearing the Sutherland as long as I wear the kilt honorably. I am going to (hopefully) be able to save up for a Weathered Graham of Mentieth 5yd from USAkilts sometime this coming year in order to have the clan tartan that I am most connected too in a variation that most pleases me personally for formal occasions. This was just a tongue in cheek way of asking if I could slip this past the "kilt police" that you find far too often on kilt message boards. I guess it doesn’t hold up to that kind of scrutiny. Oh, well. Though I respect your opinions I’m still going to wear it proudly and let the chips fall where they may. As far as the example of flags, I have never been much one for “king and country” and all that. Flags mean nothing. Only God and family matter to me and if they give their blessing I care not what all else think. I think the kilt itself is an international symbol of Scottish pride and strength. I wear them with pride, honor, and in a fun loving spirit, as we all should regardless of our “right” to wear a particular tartan. Thanks for the advice, I'll keep it in mind for the future.

God bless the kilted everywhere and all who see them,
Hugh

[Catdad]

BM, I know you are talking about Graeme at Arizona Kilts and I was just in his shop yesterday. I've seen the muted Sutherlands you are talking about in person and they are great! You can't beat the quality or the price (I don't think you will ever find a top quality kilt at his prices). You would never know they were ex-rentals.

Thankfully Graeme doesn't have any more kilts in my size and that has saved me a bullet hole. A bullet hole, you say? Yes, because my wife would shoot me if I bought another kilt!

[biblemonkey]

BM, I know you are talking about Graeme at Arizona Kilts and I was just in his shop yesterday. I've seen the muted Sutherlands you are talking about in person and they are great! You can't beat the quality or the price (I don't think you will ever find a top quality kilt at his prices). You would never know they were ex-rentals.

Thankfully Graeme doesn't have any more kilts in my size and that has saved me a bullet hole. A bullet hole, you say? Yes, because my wife would shoot me if I bought another kilt!

Graeme is a treasure in this industry. I have his Scotland the Brave and it was all he said it was and more. That's one reason why I'm pushing so hard to get the Muted Sutherland. He had a couple in my size and was willing, because of our previous transaction and discussions on the phone, to hold it one extra week for me until I get the funds together. I think I'm done excusing the tartans I wear on a daily basis. A kilt that nice for that price is enough reason for me!

God bless the kilted everywhere and all who see them!

[Irish Jack O'Brian]

I am awaiting the arrival of my new Sutherland Muted from Graeme. I have had three phone conversations with Graeme and learned more from them than all the web searching I've done for six months. He talks fast and says a lot.

One avenue you might pursue in getting your Weathered Graham of Mentieth kilt, is to stay in touch with Graeme. I understand that when he gets resettled in Aberdeen that he will be available for consultations and I bet he can get the best deal that can be had.

[biblemonkey]

Episcopalian vestments are pretty similar to Roman Catholic, and the altar place is similar, and they've rosaries too, so when i can't find a Catholic parish i can stomach which is quite the norm being rather better at theory than practice, I'll settle for an Episcopalian parish. Religion is not the issue after all.

If you'll forgive the tongue in cheek pisstaking...

My feelings exactly if I understood the post correctly. Religion is not (or at least should not be) the issue. God, Christ, simple faith put into loving motion towards your fellow man as directed in the Bible. That's what it's about. Traditions made by men should not be enough to separate us from one another if (paraphrasing) "..life, nor death, nor any power can separate us from the love of God..."

Sorry, off topic I know but I'm a man of many passions. Forgive the preaching and carry on.

[wildrover]

Hey, if you're in a bind, Episcopalian is better than walking out wrapped in the drapes!

Personally, I wanted a redbone coon hound. After learning about price and availability, I adopted an all-American mutt from the shelter, and he's been awesome.

Some guys would've given their non-aiming eye for a redbone. If Hynde means so much to YOU, do it...in the long run, it will be worth it. Your kilt should last at least your lifetime. If it's not that big a deal, get what you can while the getting is good.

It all comes down to what means something to YOU, whether it's Episcopalians, purebred dogs, or rare tartans. If it's meaningless...why bother?

...I like mixing metaphors.