Contemporary, Non-tartan Kilts Equivalent to Shorts?

[Tobus]

Not me. When wearing my Utilikilt, I usually wear boots (and sometimes canvas leggings, when hiking). It looks pretty good with a kilt, but would just look stupid with shorts.

On the other hand, I will wear Keen sandals with shorts, but I think they look terrible with a kilt.

To me, a kilt (even a contemporary one) is just a different animal than shorts. The two garments may cover exactly the same part of my body, but for some reason they have completely different looks and require different proportions for me to think they look right.

[Joshua]

I wear 8-eye docs with both, although I reserve some of my thin, brightly colored and scrunchable hose with kilts, and regular white tubesocks with shorts.

Other than that, and the sporran, I view them as slightly interchangeable - especially if you grew up in punk rock and especially the grunge era.

[kilted bear]

I agree... I wear sandles with shorts... but wear my Bluntstone boots with my kilt.... I just think that sandles and kilts look some-what.... off...But in the spirit of this forum, I think that you should wear what feels/works best for you!

[tundramanq]

BB - I don't consider a kilt as shorts replacements. There is a world of differnece in comfort. I agree with Tobus that they are two different animals. I wore longer shorts before kilting with white crew socks and Brooks walking or running shoes (with orthotics) in light colors.
The only difference now that I am permanently in the Utilikits is the socks and shoes are black. Crew length in summer and OTC or knee length in the winter. I may have to stay with the OTC/knee though and switch to my black cotton compression hose for lower leg blood flow issues some day.

The other change is more fitted t-shirts and shirts, so that there isnt all that extra fabric hanging around above the belt. With shorts (or pants) it didn't look bad tucked in to me. But with kilts the tapering profile from knee to waist makes loose tops seem tacky to me. If you work at it and have a tapered torso, show it, the look is great and is a smoothly proportioned double v.
My 2.5 inch kilt belts let me know when to back away from the table and do some walking - - great feedback!

[werewolves]

Not me. When wearing my Utilikilt, I usually wear boots (and sometimes canvas leggings, when hiking). It looks pretty good with a kilt, but would just look stupid with shorts.

On the other hand, I will wear Keen sandals with shorts, but I think they look terrible with a kilt.

To me, a kilt (even a contemporary one) is just a different animal than shorts. The two garments may cover exactly the same part of my body, but for some reason they have completely different looks and require different proportions for me to think they look right.

Yep, what he said. Word for word.
Shorts <> Kilts
Kilts > Shorts