Real kilt v cheap kilts - Edinburgh retailers

**MacSaorsa** · 6th September 10, 09:06 AM

In the traditional Scots frugal way, often an old bespoke kilt was kept for the less formal events.

Couldn't agree more. Of course, that requires that you have an old kilt in the first place. While I would dearly love to have a hand-me-down kilt that I wouldn't mind getting dirty that's not a possibility for everyone.

**Riverkilt** · 6th September 10, 09:09 AM

I personally believe there is a place for the term "Kilt-like garment."

**Jaggy thistle** · 6th September 10, 09:22 AM

As a daily kilt wearer Ihave 3 {cheap }kilts and 3 hand made kilts Iam wearing a cheap kilt at this moment and I iam quite happy with it good kilts can be puchased from ex army stores quite cheaply there is room for both types

**Tobus** · 6th September 10, 06:09 PM

Scotland needs the tourist money that these type of shops generate. The tourists have to stay somewhere, they have to eat somewhere and they have to visit places because they are tourists. Part of that tourist experience is the 'Tartan Tat' shops - they expect them. And if they can't find them in Edinburgh, they will go to somewhere else in Scotland where they can be found.

Yup. They may not like that these "cheap kilts" are cheapening the tradition of kilt wearing or turning it into a touristy costume, but I'm sure they do love the income they gain from taxes. Cheap and available tourist "tat" equals profit for government and the community. Like it or not, such "tat" has been a boon for everyone involved. And the Almighty Dollar (err... Pound?) always wins.

Personally, I think inexpensive kilts, casual kilts, and all variations of the kilt have their place in allowing people to share the experience without breaking the bank. Those who take to kilt-wearing will usually find their way to a bespoke quality kilt in the long run.

**Perretti** · 7th September 10, 05:04 PM

I don't own a "real" quality kilt, because of the price: I haven't 170£ ( at the kilt maker )
So I took a discounted one for 50£.
Even if the real one is absolutely better to wear and is a bit heavier, the cheap one keeps warm too and is the only I can buy for now, after all, I'll probably never have to use it during a formal occasion, and in Scotland, if you need a good kilt, you can rent it.
Anyway according to me, the kilt of your own clan is the best you could ever wear! And even if there are not italian clans my kilt still remains something to treat with great respect, like a flag or a heraldic symbol.

**SteveB** · 7th September 10, 06:48 PM

An opinion from the West side of the puddle:

A REAL KILT is my 100% new wool dyed and woven in Scotland tartan, hand sewn in Scotland to my exact measurement. This bespoke beauty is the most comfortable garment that I own and just plain exudes quality. I wear it to events that I am comfortable with wearing an expensive garment to.

I also own a Casual kilt that is of 100% new wool, and machine sewn in Scotland to my exact measurements. It is lighter and a lot less yardage, but has the feel of the above kilt for a little less cost. It does not have the same "swish and sway".

I own several semi-traditional kilts. They are constructed of Polyviscouse in the same manner as the real kilt in that it is knife pleated and follows the sett or stripe as a real kilt, but is also mostly machine sewn to my exact measurements. Most people can not tell it from the REAL KILT. I can wear it to some fairly dressy occasions, but am just as happy to wear it to a football match, or the local pub. The P/V is very washable and the pleats tend to be permanent press.

I also own a few off the peg kilts. two are heavyweight wool and are very warm. They are also very stiff. five are generic tartan in acrylic material that is very obvious to the most casual observer by the lack of distinctive line of the tartan. (SWK thrifty, SWK standard, Sportkilt, Heritage of Scotland, among others.) These are the kilts for running around in, mucking the garden, watching a match at the local while getting pissed, attending concerts with lots of beer drinking and spilling people. These can go straight into the laundry machine, and if it does not come out usable, I am not out a lot of money.

I also own a large number of contemporary wrap around garments. Utilikilts, Mountain Hard Wear kilts, Amerikilts, homemade kilts, etc. Each of these serve a purpose and I give them a lot of wear.

What I hope to have conveyed here is that it is not just cheap and expensive, but a full range in between as well.

To equate with the world of trousers. One does not usually wear a brand new Brooks Brothers outfit to swap the tie rods on his motor car, or wear a set of greasy coveralls to the symphony. Much the same applies today with the advent of less costly kilts on the market.

Slainte

**weeknee** · 8th September 10, 03:01 AM

Originally Posted by SteveB

To equate with the world of trousers. One does not usually wear a brand new Brooks Brothers outfit to swap the tie rods on his motor car, or wear a set of greasy coveralls to the symphony. Much the same applies today with the advent of less costly kilts on the market.

Slainte

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.

**English Bloke** · 8th September 10, 03:35 AM

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

**Chas** · 8th September 10, 03:55 AM

Originally Posted by weeknee

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** · 8th September 10, 04:29 AM

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