Would you buy an off-the-rack kilt?

[ragged tiger]

The last "off the rack" kilt I purchased was a Black Watch kilt from Things Celtic in Austin, TX. I am not sure who their economy kilt supplier is at the moment, but for around $110.00 I purchased 8-yard PV kilt with enough knife pleats in the back to make folks notice. The buckle closures are solid and the drape is quite nice as well.

Other than that, I have a Royal Stewart Sportkilt which I use from marching. I live in Texas so comfort is a big issue. If the fit is fairly good, then I have no problem wearing "off the rack".

[rtc872]

I'd like to add that in pipebands it is rare to get a kilt that was made for you. You made do and you generally looked good

[ForresterModern]

As others have said the factors are many, and all the stars must align in order for it to work for me. That being said, I have bought one cheap off the rack kilt that fits OK, not great, 8yd in PV and a relevant tartan, that is my infrequently worn weekender. A second similar purchase left me with an ill fitting rumpled mess of fabric and thread that I promptly shed. I have one 8yd wool trad that was bespoke for someone else, but for whatever reason ended up on Scotweb's clearance, that was close enough to my measurements to tempt me to buy it, and it looks and fits grand. So although technically "off the rack" it would probably not count.

All my other kilts have been bespoke to my non-traditional (highlander sized) measurements, and I am nearly certain, save for the possible but unlikely recurrence of a bespoke on clearence rack in my size, that I will from here on out only purchase made to measure for myself in kilts.

[OC Richard]

It seems that many are speaking of "off the rack" (or "off the peg" as the Brits say) in conjunction with "economy kilts" but what the poll meant to me personally was having a traditional 8-yard wool handsewn kilt made to measure vs finding a traditional 8-yard wool handsewn kilt on a rack somewhere.

Which is why I answered "yes".

Yes of course if I happened to see a traditional 8-yard wool handsewn kilt in a tartan I fancied that happened to fit me for a good price, I would be likely to buy it.

Some of the Highland Outfitters that attend Games around here, like Geoffrey Tailor and the Celtic Craft Centre, always have a couple dozen such kilts on display.

I always look through these but I've never found a tartan/sizing match.

[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.

[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.