The OUTRAGEOUS Price of kilts!

[prattw]

Ok, kilts are worth every penny.
Sporrans too.

But, can someone tell me why kilt jackets are so much? A regular tweed jacket can be purchased for less than half of a kilt cut tweed jacket, and uses more material. What's up with that?

Adam

Assuming that we're talking about woolen tweed in both cases, I suspect basically because there is a much larger market for standard jackets so that they are made in much larger lots. If the Pakistanis started making them, they'd be cheaper, but probably never at the price point of low-end suit coats, because they would the product of the smaller, family shops which are high end in Pakistan. In fact, if we're talking about argyle-style jackets, which are rather more complex than standard suit coats, they might be a good bit more.

Here's something nobody seems to have noticed. We've been talking about the $70 kilt as cheap. Lets compare with Walmart prices for trousers. The $70 kilt is over twice the price of the most expensive trousers Walmart carries (about $30). Even Stillwater's new Thrifty Kilts are somewhat more. In other words, even made in Asia, kilts are relatively complex and more expensive to manufacture than most clothing.

Will Pratt

[Wompet]

Just the other day I saw some camouflage sheep. Digital ones, no less.

Honest!

hey, stop looking at me like that.

Of course we're going to look at you that way. After all, if the sheep were camoflaged, how did you see them?

This has been another interesting thread to read - Alan H's, Barb T's, and Steve's posts especially. And others' responses to those posts - well, if we all agreed, that would make things less interesting. More peaceful, occasionally, but less interesting.

[Macman]

Mark, even if the sheep are the wrong kind for wool, you know what you can do with them? NO, not that! I mean BBQ!

[ozone]

While we are off topic (slightly), I have heard that these guys have good kilt jacket prices from several members: http://www.jhiggins.net/

I have no personal experience, since I have not yet bought a jacket, but there ya go!

[cloves]

my only problem with $500 dollar kilts....isn't the actual cost per se...(I get why they're expensive, even if it does hurt my pocketbook) It's....when to wear something that costs so much.
I'm in between "it cost too much to keep hidden in the closet" and "it cost too much to wear all the time and ruin"...argh! What to do, what to do?
My first "tank" will be my xmarks tartan...and I'll wear it with pride, but I suspct only on special occasions.

Echoing what Panache said above...there is definately a place in my wardrobe for cheaper kilts.
I have dress pants I wear when called for, and cheap grungy jeans I wear when appropriate. Why should kilts be any different?

[Robin]

<<<off topic>>>

What to do, what to do?

When you strap on your 1st tank you'll know

<<<on topic>>>

[davedove]

my only problem with $500 dollar kilts....isn't the actual cost per se...(I get why they're expensive, even if it does hurt my pocketbook) It's....when to wear something that costs so much.
I'm in between "it cost too much to keep hidden in the closet" and "it cost too much to wear all the time and ruin"...argh! What to do, what to do?
My first "tank" will be my xmarks tartan...and I'll wear it with pride, but I suspct only on special occasions.

Echoing what Panache said above...there is definately a place in my wardrobe for cheaper kilts.
I have dress pants I wear when called for, and cheap grungy jeans I wear when appropriate. Why should kilts be any different?

Cloves,

Check out this thread:
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=22436

It shows the same kilt being worn in different situations. I have worn that same kilt to go volksmarching, to a beer festival, and dressed up to different levels. Now, I wouldn't wear such an expensive kilt if I knew it was going to get dirty, but anything else is okay.

[scoutniagara]

I first wore kilts as a dancer, but they were always handed down from my sister or my cousin. My first personal kilt, was my Burnett's and Struth 13 oz. hunting MacIntosh. Since then, I've ordered and wear five other semi-traditional kilts purchased from kiltmakers who advertise on this site. My next two kilts are going to be my 8 yard PVC Maple Leaf from CCK and another SWK, in black heavyweight wool.

My point: My first kilt purchased by myself, was my Canadian-made hunting MacIntosh from Margaret herself. I knew that to have my choice and to have a custom made kilt was the way I wanted to go. If I could only have one kilt, it would be the best! Now that I have that one, I need other kilts for day wear, that won't set me back another $700 if it should be ruined in daily "muckin' about". As Dirka says, it doesn't do anyone good to have an expensive kilt hanging in your closet, waiting for that special occasion that seldom happens.

If you really want to promote kilt wearing and your local kilt maker, the best way is to wear a kilt so others come to realize that kilts look and feel great and are really comfortable to wear. Those are future customers who will keep our local kiltmakers in business, and around for us when we want to order our next kilt...perhaps an Isle of Skye in PVC from CCK? lol

When ten or more SOKS show up in a pub wearing their kilts, we are all noticed. ...well, all except Grant. ;)

[obuchiteck]

Wow! That really putt things in perspective.

[turpin]

Isn't it great? You ask a simple question and out pours all this combined knowledge, opinion, and experience.