Is it really? Its just a kilt! well no its not ‘just a kilt’ its a piece of art that will last more than one lifetime.
A kilt is made from 8 yards of either 14oz – 18oz woollen tartan, woven right here in Scotland. The process the cloth goes through before it even gets to your kiltmaker is intense and very specialised.
Then it is sent on to your kiltmaker, who has to set up the pleats to match the front of your kilt and depending on the tartan can take 10 mins to 3 hours to work out.
It is then completely hand stitched and shaped to your exact measurements, creating every curve to fit. A kiltmaker can spend 16 – 20 hours making your kilt. It truly is a work of art that will last a lifetime that will grow and shrink with you.
Unfortunately, we now live in a throw away society. I can go out and buy, say, a tee shirt for £5, doesn’t matter if it only lasts a couple of washes, its only a fiver, I can nip out and get another one, and another one, and another one…………….. – can you see where I’m going with this?
We all seem to be living in the now and not thinking about the future, I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, however, when it comes to shopping its all about money at the time of purchase. Hey that only costs £5 (tee-shirt) bargain, but it all adds up. Gents, how many suits will you buy in a lifetime compared to a kilt?
You will see cheap kilts on the tourist trail, a kilt for £50 mmmmm, you cannot even buy a couple yards of cloth for that, so where is the cloth coming from? Is it handsewn? doubtful, could you imagine working for 40p an hour, so who are making these ‘kilts’ and again where? On eBay I just saw one for £15! Yes there is a market for these things, when you’re on holiday its a wee souvenir, but I just wish they would not call it a kilt.
As you might have guessed I am a kiltmaker and am really proud of every kilt I make. I get very upset when people say to me ‘why is a kilt so expensive?’
Keep up the good work.I love the kilt and have several all professionally made.Wear one whenever possible.Guide at Dunans Castle,GlenDaruel,Argyll.
I wish I could get a Kilt in the Barr clan, I believe Irn-Bru now have the rights and their kilt maker doesn’t respond to my requests.
In the USA we are trying to “educate” folks at the highland games. We only refer them to reputable individuals who only use Kiltmakers in Scotland. When someone asks about a kilt make of scottish materials, for $25.00 we politely guide them in the correct direction. Better to see I real kilt on individuals than the cheap knockoffs. A utility kilt or sport kilt is great for construction set up and tear down, but not for a banquet or Burns dinner. It all starts with education and we let them know it is an investment to be handed down, not something easily disposable. Keep up the good work and quality kilts.
My three sons own a kilt apiece with one having two.
They are works of art, and worth every penny!
Keep up the excellent education 🙂
Suit fashions come and go my kilt will always be in fashion . Worth every penny
I am immensely proud of my kilt AND grateful for the hands that made it!
Nikki:
I thought the same thing when I purchased my first kilt. But when it arrived from Scotland, it is worth every penny.
That was 2003 and today it fits and looks like the day it arrived. I have gained a wee weight since it was measured but I can fix that with fewer Guinness.
Slainte
Kit
I am proud to have two high quality, woven in Scotland, 8-yard, 16 oz. kilts. They are truly pieces of art, and heirloom quality. I also have several of the [much] cheaper “kilts” that look okay, and can represent my heritage in pubs, games, picnics, and other rough venues where my good kilts would be at risk. I would never consider wearing one of the knockoffs for a formal function, but I would also never wear one of the good ones where they could be destroyed, or at best damaged. One really does get what one pays for, just need to know what it is for.