Where/ how to buy a kilt

[whoseafraidofnaomiwolf]

... for my son. He's asked for a kilt, and I've agreed to get him one as his main Christmas present. We've had a search toady not the internet, but I am a wee bit horrified at the price - it's coming it at more than > £1000!!

Is this usual? We want one that is a reasonable quality, but doesn't need to be top of the range. Happy to buy 'off the peg' if they have one available in the clan tartan for our name.

We are in London - where can we get a kilt for him that isn't ££££?
Any recommendations and/ or advice gratefully received.

I do love the way everyone’s falling over themselves to proclaim it’s absolutely fine to spend £500/£1000 on a kilt for the male members of the family - I’m so used to the outrage and uproar at any item of women’s clothing that costs more than £50.

Well, to be fair, even on MN it's not seen as unusual for a woman to fork out £1000 on a wedding dress that she'll wear once (hopefully), whereas a kilt bought for the same occasion will be reworn multiple times. DH has worn his kilt to everything from weddings to work formal events to rugby internationals for nearly 40 years and it still looks great.

Which is more than I can say for my wedding dress, currently in a bag in my wardrobe, mocking me for not choosing a design with adjustable buckles.

Surely a more accurate comparison would be a custom fitted suit or dress that one might wear for years and years? And it’s a rare thread where a woman wouldn’t face relentless opprobrium for spending that much on herself.

(Obviously I feel everyone should be able to wear the best clothes they can possibly afford - but I have been surprised at the unquestioning acceptance of expense here, when it’s a matter of men’s clothing, as if they naturally deserve better things.)

@StrangeNew There are all of 28 posts on this thread, on a forum of ?millions of people. Is it beyond the realms of possibility that these posters maybe aren't the same posters you see sniping about someone daring to spend money on themselves? I think you're finding fault where there is none. I spent 3k on two wedding dresses. We spent £600 hiring kilts for DH and 5 other men in the wedding party. I'm not 'falling over myself' to defend the cost of kilts, we're just telling OP that's what it costs.

I’m not ‘finding fault’ - at all! Only remarking on a difference I have noticed. Not claiming I’ve undertaken a scientifically rigorous statistical study of all posts everywhere.

My underlying point is I wish there was more general enthusiasm on MN for women spending significant sums on high quality, long lasting clothes.

We are also in London and I recently bought my DP his kilt as a 30th birthday present. We looked at McG&McD, but in the end went for this company: https://www.kilts4all.com/

We visited their shop near KingsX and they were absolutely lovely, talked us through the whole process, let him try things on, choose all the features etc. Their service was perfect, the couple (it's a small family business) were lovely, and DP is absolutely thrilled with his kilt, so much so that we have gone back to them very recently to get his "top half" kilt jacket, waistcoat etc. Would highly recommend!

It was several hundred pounds, but the plan is he will keep it forever, we have several weddings to attend in the next year or two and are also planning our own wedding!

I swoon at men in kilts!! Doesn't matter whether formal, informal, work or sports. DH was in hospital once at NY and the doctor did rounds in his kilt telling us it had been his personal tradition since he qualified.

Spending money on good clothes is just easier to justify for men. Kilts and their accoutrements don't go in and out of fashion; nor do suits, though to a lesser degree, nor classic shoes.

Most women could date a bridal gown fairly accurately while everyday street clothing is constantly evolving -- which is what makes it fun but also means you don't want to splurge on every garment or new look.

Bah - they don't have our tartan 😩

And we had a phone call today from McG and McD saying they don't stock our tartan as standard so they'd have to get it made, thereby adding an additional >£600 to the price of the kilt.

Flipping 'Eck! 😨😱😵

(Exits muttering "it's an investment, it's an investment" repeatedly to herself)

Oh how frustrating!

Have you thought that it might actually be cheaper to have a wee weekend in Edinburgh and a visit to a shop up there rather than trying to find what you need in London?

Or elsewhere in Scotland of course!!

I don't wear my clan tartan, it's too lairy to wear to a lot of events and rare so woumd have added a lot to the cost, so went for one with a slight link to family name and its more wearable.

@whoseafraidofnaomiwolf does it need to be 'your' tartan? We didn't go for a family tartan as mine is hideous (too red) and DH's looks like a Rangers tartan 😬 Also I obviously don't know your budget etc, but if my mum had agreed to buy me something and then it turned out it was 10 times the price she expected, I wouldn't be getting it... It's okay to say it's too expensive, if that is the case. Will your son actually get the wear out of it soon? Is he late 20s and soon to be attending lots of weddings, or late teens and might wear it to a few uni balls?

What tartan is it?

Exactly! Also @StrangeNew what woman wants to be seen in the exact same thing at every significant event for 50+ years?
Also most places don't require formal wear. Unless your job requires attending charity balls. Wedding, graduations and the like you can wear a 'normal' dress too.

I try to buy quality as opposed to fast fashion but it's close to £100, not 5x that!

OP have u tried asking on Scotsnet (the Scottish MNers board)?

The Scottish kilt company sell kilts online. they're not woven kilts though but much more affordable at less then £100.

Dh had his made because they had to weave his family tartan. It was just over £1400.

DDad got his kilt when he was 13. He wore it until he died in his 60s. He mostly wore it for black tie, but towards the end of his life when his mobility was compromised, it was easy to get on, and he wore it as every day clothing then. He'd be in his 90s if he were still alive. DM had the kilt; DBro will inherit it.

For authentic Scottish kilts have a look at Eight Yards