Is Pakistan Actually Helping the Kilt Industry? Is there a place for cheap kilts?

[@CoreyBrass]

I wouldn't be a serial kilter today if an "affordable" kilt wasn't available. Their is no way I would have spent the price of a new kilt for a first kilt. Also, today, there is no way I'd beat my "good" kilt the way I beat my "cheap" kilts.

[@billmehner]

My Pakistani made kilts are my knock around and work wear, and my USA Kilts tartan kilts are my fancier, made more for an occasion kilts 😊

[@IosuamacaMhadaidh]

Honestly that's exactly my approach as well.

[@the-kilted-trucker59]

I agree fully economy kilts are my work wear too.

[@cedainty]

Starting out with an affordable kilt whets the appetite for a more expensive one. This is true with most anything we learn. It's the "try it, you'll like it" plan and if you don't like it after a solid effort, no harm no foul. More important is being around people who feel the same.

[@BrianNewberry]

What a great video, with such open and relaxed perspectives. I'd watched a few of your other videos, but this is the one that got me to hit the *_Subscribe_* button. Thanks for all the good info.

[@gordonstewart8258]

It can also go the other direction. I own two high quality tailored 8 yard kilts. The problem is I hesitate to wear them casually for fear of damaging them, especially considering how expensive they would be to replace, so I'm considering getting something less expensive, like a casual or even an econokilt for "everyday wear."

[@billyFNbones]

This is the exact reason I have a few Pakistani kilts.

[@WhistleLad]

USA Kilts has PV kilts that are around $150. To me, that is a very affordable first kilt. The quality you get at that price point is so worth it compared to the cheaply made stuff under $100 elsewhere.

[@GenXDad1965]

I would agree that $150 is affordable... I just wish I could get one of their PV kilts in my tartan... it sadly is not available.

[@whiskeyvictor5703]

@@GenXDad1965 Exactly my problem, too. 😢

[@LILACJENNIFER]

The Kilt is like cars. You can have a basic Ford or a Bentley, they are both cars. Kilts can be a female version or a full fat male 8yd version, Ford or Bentley? Whatever you purchase, the difference is noticeable to the wearer.

[@Conn653]

I have 2 Utilikits and 3 (Made in America) Stillwater kilts. I love the quality, and ease of care, of the Stillwater Kilts. In the long run, ANY entry level kilt will help every kilt maker 🙂

[@nq6417]

I saw Graham in April and so surprised to see he recently sold GM Belt. Such a lovely bloke and will be missed as he brought a lot of value as a supplier

[@northwindhomestead907]

I have a $700 premier and a $300 traditional kilt from USAKilts. I also have a wool great kilt from Scotland. I did buy a $100 wool kilt from Pakistan to wear around the yard and in the garden. I consider it my disposable kilt. I don't think the Pakistani kilt hurts the market. I'm going to replace it with another Pakistani kilt when it dies, but I'll certainly keep growing my USA and UK collection. I just can't fathom wearing a $300 kilt while weed wacking and mowing the lawn.

[@pat1589]

You guys are awesome.

[@Dabs851]

I started with a cheap acrylic kilt, but soon upgraded to PV, now I buy wool, I own nearly 50 kilts, so if not for that first purchase I may never have gotten into it. That said people now come to me asking advice about kilts, first question I’d say “what is it for” then “what’s your budget” for a one off wedding, watching a rugby or soccer game, or for an investment to wear on special occasions. Then I say which would suit accordingly

[@whiskeyvictor5703]

I have always purchased my kilts and fabrics from Scotland. If it doesn't come from a Scottish mill I won't go near it. However, when it comes to other paraphernalia (like brooches, etc.) I may shop around for a deal.

[@gryffydd42]

I agree with everything said here. One other aspect I’ve run into is that some tartans are much harder to find in wool than acrylic , or find a kilt maker that can get that fabric. As example, I wanted Polaris Military tartan to honor my US Submarine service. Very easy to find on acrylic, but finding kilt makers that even list it has been tougher.

[@mikemcinnis9341]

I have only 1 bespoke kilt, which I'd hate to have to replace. I have, however, everything from a low end Sport Kilt through two excellent domestic utility kilts, and two heavy wool Pakistani kilts sold by a reputable domestic supplier. Every one has specific uses, and all get worn a good deal. But, if all I could get were made with Scottish fabric by Scottish suppliers, my wardrobe would be pretty bare.

[@shihanbutcher5637]

Hi guys long time watcher love your stuff I'm in Sydney Australia. 2 things 1 it gets very hot here so a wool kilt would not be good, and trying to find a good kilt or family kilt here is very expensive $600 and up. There is a Pakistani kilt place about 35 minutes from me I have bought 3 kilts and 1 utility kilt they cost around $80 each love them have worn them to a few Celtic fairs. May people have come up to me to ask about them and tell me they look good. Maybe I have got luck as the quality of these kilts, they seems good and have no problems with them. I would love to have my family kilt but the cost just puts it out of my range atm. Keep up the good work guys :)

[@davedove67]

I think there is a place for the cheap kilts, as long as they are not misrepresenting themselves. They are not the real deal and they definitely shouldn't market themselves as that.

[@kevinhendryx665]

I have several repro military kilts in regimental tartans that came from a reenactment supplier that were made in India, I think (or Pakistan); they cost half or less what an original would cost, even IF you could get that old-style heavy cloth, which is not generally made anymore far as I know. (Modern military kilts aren't as heavy as the older ones.) These kilts are decent enough as reenactor uniform. For one thing, you don't worry so much about getting them dirty or worn or torn during reenactor events. For another, genuine military uniform bits are getting more and more expensive and hard to find as the years go by, and these days, that stuff belongs in museums or in the collectors' market, not casual wear and not dress-up wear.

[@toddwebb7521]

Well there's definitely the unobtainable in countries that respect copyright laws tartans like McDuck available from Pakistan

[@soulslinger674]

So Ive bought 2 hybrid utility kilts from the Pakistan suppliers. These will be used for yard work and generally kicking the crap out of them. I will say the quality is good, I don't like the plastic hooks on one. I got my other one from DSS kilts, it has metal hardware. They were fairly cheep and do look ok. The DSS is "Stewart" and the one with plastic hardware is "Buchanan" but I don't think the colors are completely correct. I will be ordering from USA kilts for my high end kilts but I won't be doing yard work in them. If you guys do a utility kilts line I'll definitely be going after that. Utilikilt is a ferry ride away from me so I'll be making that trip soon

[@geoff5623]

I think the cost of a wool kit probably has a floor that makes a finished garment too expensive and low volume to be worthwhile for offshore companies to compete, and anyone spending that much is also going to be much more discerning of quality - valuing the origin and craft of the garment. Having cheap options available probably does increase the number of people who are willing to try wearing a kilt for more than just a special occasion rental, and then move on to purchasing a much higher quality kilt. And there's space in the middle of people interested in a kilt that will look good and last well in everyday wear, and is worth spending a little more on - that will probably be where small makers could get squeezed if an offshore company thinks they can sell enough of a slightly more expensive and slightly better quality kilt. For myself, finding an option that was comparable price to a normal pair of casual pants was part of what pushed me over the decision to buy my first kilt, since I rarely have the occasion to wear any more expensive clothes. Now that i have a few kilts (including a wool ex-rental kilt in good condition that was a good price), I know what I'm looking for in quality and fit of what will probably be the most expensive item of clothing in my closet. Still going to wear the cheaper kilts regularly though, since I'm not so worried about them getting dirty or damaged (and most people aren't going to know the difference between my cheapest and nicest kilts if im wearing them around town)

[@johnorr8094]

My cousin calls kilts from Pakistan, ghetto kilts. So there you have it. There are now four styles of kilts: formal; semiformal; casual; and ghetto.

[@davidbeason3399]

I have very nice expensive kilts, I have nice usa kilt kilts, but muck like wearing my invicta watch every day, then a nicer watch when I go out or for special occasions, I wear Pakistani kilts everyday when I'm running around in the yard or doing errands. I wouldn't mess up a nice watch working on the car, and I don't feel bad splitting and moving firewood in a cheaper kilt

[@vixendoe6943]

I hope the Pakistani kilts are better then they were several years ago. A band invested in Pakistani made kits and on the day of the parade it rained. The dyes ran to the extent that the legs of the band members were visibly streaked and discolored. They may be a gateway drug for some but I would never go that route.

[@timothykirkpatrick3955]

Bought my first (Pakistan) kilt for my sister's wedding. She wanted her brothers to be in kilts. There are 5 brothers. I bought all the stuff from Pakistan. All 5 brothers had kilts for the wedding. See if I didn't have to buy for 5 people I could have gotten myself one nice kilt set from Scotland. As they said the cheap Pakistan stuff got me into the market. I'm still waiting for the money to get a real nice 8 yard wool kilt.

[@SkylerLinux]

The local Kilt place to me did all the leg work to find decent quality Pakistan Kirts, which means I get to support a local businesses I get to get a Kilt between PV and Wool that I can afford to get into Kilts sooner than latter. I also get to see the Tartans in person to decide which one I'd like to go with. Yes someone like me eventually would have gotten to the point of getting a Full Wool kilt, but that would probably be several years yet. I might like mine enough to make my next kilt a 600CAD Wool kilt, or I might get a couple more cheaper ones to have more choices before affording that multi-hundred dollar kilt.

[@agnesjones141]

Can you show how you package and ship your Kilts. Thanks

[@the-kilted-trucker59]

Rocky that is funny, as i go forward i find im slowly getting 5 and 8 yard kilts of better quality. But i can not give up my low end kilts for working in. After all i love being kilted!

[@ikjcaboose935]

my first kilts were Pakistani utility kilts and they have been great entry level kilts, however I am now looking at getting better quality mid-price kilts until I can afford to get a true 8yrd in my family tartan (~£500). other than affordability the other "advantage" of cheap kilts is they are machine washable. quality however will never match up to a hand made kilt.

[@k.s.3748]

I use the cheap ones for yardwork and car mechanic work. I paint in them etc. I would never abuse a handmade piece like that. They get beat up bad and donated. The real stuff...It's good for good occasions. Not daily wear and tear and in Texas the ever-present sweat-fest.

[@cprendon3]

For me it was a gateway which benefited both the Pakistani kilt distributor and you. I never would have bought a premium kilt as my first kilt or even my second. I bought a few of the cheaper Pakistani kilts and utility kilts so that I could know that I was going to stick with them and then migrated up to some of your premium kilts. In this way you both profited. Had I not had the option of cheaper kilts to start with I never would have bought any premium kilts. So they got some of my money and so did you and you never would have gotten any without them.

[@Ndropazin]

I own a few "low budget" kilts, made in Pakistan, these are good for only one thing : trying to wear a kilt for the first times. Except for this specific use, it's a waste of money. Really low quality fabric (it won't last long and after two or three days of use, you will see some wear), measures different from your size (remember it's a mass product) and something else which almost always forgotten : safety regulations. You (and I) know nothing about the chemicals used to dye the fabric, having a Chrome VI (or any other hazardous chemical) dyed fabric on your skin is not a good thing for your life. I would add something which differs from people to people : I don't want to support anymore children labor or harsh/hazardous work conditions.

[@Gregorstuff]

I got 5 cotton kilts that may get more dirty in the garden or at the beach the woo onesl are more delicate for that

[@ramonpfister2424]

Well after a trip to Scotland this past month I've got the kilt fever so to test the waters I ordered a kilt from a Pakistan company to test the waters. It isn't a true budget kilt and I asked a lot of questions of the reps of the company so review to follow once I receive it.

[@NovemberOneOscarGrouch]

The "cheaper " kilts are great for the consumer because I'd never want to wear a $400 kilt to do yard/ farm work, but a $30 kilt is fine. Maybe the Pakistan kilt makers will drive down some higher prices from the UK/US makers to shift the purchases from Pakistan to them. 🤷‍♂️

[@the-kilted-trucker59]

I gladly get my good kilts from USA KILTS, as a truckdriver I wear economy kilts and have a couple Pakistany kilts for work. I won't chance damaging a high quality kilt at work.

[@kevinhendryx665]

Completely agree on the counterfeiting / bootlegging aspects of original creations being imitated or faked by unscrupulous dealers.

[@highlanderapparel]

Well said! Ps, kindness is still free.

[@kd0r]

Hmmm, maybe I'll get a better kilt for my Cunard cruises.

[@maxkiler99]

When i bought my first real kilt i found out it is from Pakistan..it was really weird(the last thing i was expecting,was that this kilt is gonna be from pakistan) but i really like that quality,which surprised me. And it was really cheap(for what i tought,kilt is gonna cost)

[@williambailey9888]

I bought a couple of Pakistan kilts to see if I liked wearing them, I think they are great in that sense, but nothing beats the real thing

[@sharilewis4533]

The cheaper kilts is how Orlando got started

[@straycat1674]

Here’s the thing. If the quality from Pakistan was better it might not be as big of a deal. But it can be hit and miss. And it seems like from what I understand, far too often it’s a miss. And what we need to understand is, the Pakistani merchants and makers are only trying to survive themselves. These are not items that they are for bidden from ever making and selling. And like I said, they’re just trying to survive themselves.

[@brians_casual_shenanigans]

Definitely a gateway drug effect. I use the Pakistan kilts for everyday lazing around the house with the kids and animals, mainly because a good 5-yard kilt starts at AU$660 and a handstitched 8-yard starts at AU$880... yeah things ain't cheap down under, lol

[@yank-tc8bz]

I tried ordering from Pakistan 3 times . Got ripped off every time.

[@Hexsyn]

I have 2 dnke utility kilts that I really love which come from Pakistan but I would never want a tartan kilt

[@TimothyW.Brandt]

my first kilt was $40.00 now I get more expensive ones

[@MasterPoucksBestMan]

If ten people want a kilt, and only 1 of them can afford a $$$ kilt, and the only kilts available are $$$ kilts, then only 1 of those ten people are going to have a kilt. If there are also $$ kilts and $ kilts, then more of those ten people are going to have a kilt, and it's unlikely that the person who can afford a $$$ kilt will go for a $ kilt, so the $$$ kilt maker isn't really going to sell any fewer kilts, and even if they do, some of those $ kilt wearers will save up to afford a $$$ kilt, so that'll make up the difference.

[@Luv2tickt]

As a patch and badge designer, I've had my stuff ripped off despite it being copywrited. It's frustrating enough to have to send a C&D to some company here in the US, but good luck with the CCP or Pakistani or whomever outside of our borders! So I can understand that frustration only too well. As far as the knock off from these other countries, screw em! That's what PV or Casual Kilts are made for. Don't support the knockoffs...it's like giving money to one of those beggars on the off ramps, it only encourages them!

[@fa-q-2]

...Pakistan kilts are like renting skis, and getting a 30 minute lesson...Before investing in top end equipment...

[@earlallen6628]

Would have never bought a 600$ kilt if i had not bought cheep Pakistan first.

[@robertprimm603]

I bought the cheap kilts for when the great grand kids are around for all the crap they get into and grab ahold of your kilt then you are not loosing much

[@rogerhudson9732]

Hamza Yousaf , the Scottish First Minister is a Pakistani Scot, he has been seen in a kilt, King's Coronation?

[@DavidPyro]

Not digging the green screen background. For a business whose brand leans towards authenticity, this seems like a “cheap o “ move.

[@frankmckinley1254]

I would say more problems, but I see Pakistan products as the kilt gateway drug.🤔😉

[@kgzohl]

Eat or kilt

[@stevenwaldrop7853]

I got into wearing kilts because of cheap Pakistani kilts. Once I had my first, I quickly learned that better quality garments looked better and would last much longer. I'm not opposed to saving some money, but I would rather invest in a well made kilt even if I must save up longer to afford it.

[@jeffherdz]

You get what you pay for. It's your hard earned money. So why get cheap garbage ?

[@royhurley7572]

Kilts were the blue jeans of the common folk.

[@ShimobeSama]

Which Pakistan are you talking about, the one on the left or right in the thumbnail?