Sport and Utility Kilt makers- Uniform service

[Thorina]

Ok, much of the big moving in at the warehouse has been done, for the bulk, anyway.
Back to daily-wear in a semi-industrial atmosphere...


Since I am the bosslady, I get to pick my own uniforms. Prior to this expansion, I regularly wore navy blue and white striped polo shirt and in the summer, denum skorts. Have a stack of each, wore the same "uniform" every day. This keeps my street clothes free of stains, etc. In the long run, uniforms are always less expensive and less of a hassle than wearing grubby street clothes to work.

I just opted to have a uniform company service shirts for me. I often create the most volume and the dirtiest laundry in the house....paying someone $4 a week to launder my shirts is well worth it, IMO.

The uniform company only carrys traditional navy blue type dickies (other colors, too...but traditional work pants/shorts). HATE them! Worn them for so many years, I am just not fond of the ill fitting, hot in the summer, cold in the winter dreadful looking slacks.
Even if someone else is washing them.

In placing my order, I chose a "dealership" type shirt, rather than the light blue yuck. Black and grey stripe sorta thing. "Hip" and all of that. Even ordered name/company patches.

He also said he can launder my Carhartts.

Got me to thinking....if they will launder Carhartts, wonder if they'd launder kilts?

Now, who makes a resonably priced kilt that will withstand industrial landering?
Anyone willing to come up with a price and/or suggestions?

I would prefer a "jean" type waist...rides at jean hieght, rather than traditional high riding kilt....and something with functional pockets like in jeans/work pants....no side cargo pockets and regular sized belt loops.
I carry at work. A sporran is a nice idea, but could very well be quite the pita in many circumstances.
Preferably fairly adjustable, as it is fairly common for me to up or down 20 pounds.
No metal stuff. As with car mechanics, even though oft very dirty and grimy, I have to be careful of wearing things I can accidentally scratch a 70+ year old priceless motorcycle.
Utility kilts often have large snaps, etc in the front.....I cannot have that. The traditional straps and buckles on the hips/sides are not an issue....anything in front is.

As a twist, I seriously dislike the general look of a utility kilt. I far prefer the look of a traditional kilt. Utility kilts, to me, do not have quite enough volume to comfortably work regimental.
Yes, that *is* the point.
Though female, I really don't want to look like I am in a skirt, I would prefer to look crisp and in a kilt.
As well, I like the formality of flashes, etc. It would make for a crisp, professional appearence, IMO....while still dealing with the need for being servicable in an oft very dirty environment.

I would go for either a very dark grey, or black (to match the shirt)....or a very subtle grey/black taran. Very small amount of red would be acceptable, but still in keeping with very subtle.
Wool? No, as they'd be laundered by an industrial laundering company. Has to be washable.


Ok, now that I have my "laundry list" of fussy OCD particulars that I am looking for....any suggestions, hints, comments, anyone willing to give it a go, etc would be greatly appreciated!!!!!!!

peace,
janette

[Canuck]

I make one out of hemp. It's my mach V version, Traditional looking front apron, slash pockets are available, two buckle closure. Lot's of pleats. Having said that it will not fit your budget.
I'm just saying the product already exists
Try Freedom Kilts he too makes a similar product

[Zardoz]

http://www.neokilt.com/about.html

http://www.buzzkidder.com/page/page/510432.htm

[The Wizard of BC]

Thorina,

This is very doable. Some of my kilts have been through industrial laundries hundreds of times.

May I suggest a Poly/Cotton blend fabric (like that used for 'Dockers' brand pants) or a solid color Poly/Rayon blend.

How many pockets would you need and where would you like them?

Totally metal free is also an available option.

Sorry, my prices will not be as low as some, but lower than some others.

What you do get is a completely customized garment.

If you have any questions I am simply an email or phone call away.

[Thorina]

I make one out of hemp. It's my mach V version, Traditional looking front apron, slash pockets are available, two buckle closure. Lot's of pleats. Having said that it will not fit your budget.
I'm just saying the product already exists
Try Freedom Kilts he too makes a similar product

Ok, I'll bite....how much? Link?

I looked at Freedom Kilts and a few others. Thinking 4 would be the number I'd need....so the nearly $400 each would not be reasonable in this instance.
Turning a grand and a half of fabric over to a uniform laundry service is never going to be in my budget.

[RockyR]

What's Ron's (riverkilt) favorite saying? Of Service, Quality and Price, you can have any 2. If you want something custom made to your exact specs, it'll cost a bit more. Not necessarily $400 each, but I'm sure Steve and Robert will be over $250 each. You just have to weigh how badly you want it.

(posted as someone who doesn't make a product anything like what you've described)

[Canuck]

www.rkilts.com
You'll probably have to deal with an offshore provider to get anything under $100 per unit in generic sizes.
Freedom Kilts and myself do build rugged kilts that can deal with industrial washers.
The reality is, there needs to be a market for thousands of units before one can venture into something that markets for $100.

[Thorina]

Thorina,

This is very doable. Some of my kilts have been through industrial laundries hundreds of times.

May I suggest a Poly/Cotton blend fabric (like that used for 'Dockers' brand pants) or a solid color Poly/Rayon blend.

How many pockets would you need and where would you like them?

Totally metal free is also an available option.

Sorry, my prices will not be as low as some, but lower than some others.

What you do get is a completely customized garment.

If you have any questions I am simply an email or phone call away.

Ok. Thank you! I hadn't gotten far enough to bug anyone yet. Figured I'd get all of my silly questions out of the way first. You are the closest to what I have been looking for for several months without going on the super cheap ebay from who knows what 3rd world country.
But....still probably not feisable for getting 4.
I am an experienced seamstress, I have a *clue* what it takes to make one....but have as much cheap, penny pinching as I do *clue*. LOL

No rayon. It melts worse than poly.

So, do companies like Aramark, etc actually do well laundering kilts?

[Thorina]

What's Ron's (riverkilt) favorite saying? Of Service, Quality and Price, you can have any 2. If you want something custom made to your exact specs, it'll cost a bit more. Not necessarily $400 each, but I'm sure Steve and Robert will be over $250 each. You just have to weigh how badly you want it.
(posted as someone who doesn't make a product anything like what you've described)

Yes, exactly. This is the "is this feisable" stage....what am I willing to give up, how much am I willing to give up and what is not acceptable to give up, even for a cheapened price.
As an example, one company offers 2 slash side pockets for $46. That is $46 I would not be willing to skimp on. Custom belt loops? Yes, I'd be more likely to skip of I have to shave down the total.

In doing fairly general searches on the internet, you can easily get over whelmed by it all....yet never really come up with the answers you're actually looking for.

[Thorina]

www.rkilts.com
You'll probably have to deal with an offshore provider to get anything under $100 per unit in generic sizes.
Freedom Kilts and myself do build rugged kilts that can deal with industrial washers.
The reality is, there needs to be a market for thousands of units before one can venture into something that markets for $100.

Yes, know this all too well.
Just feeling out if there is something close....or what I am looking for simply doesn't exist.