Non-tartan kilts

[jason10mm]

I think it is pretty obvious that if a full blown 8 yard tartan traditional kilt is like a pair of formal tuxedo slacks, then the utilikilt type "MUG" is the chain wrapped, studded cargo pants. I think you ought to wear one accordingly. Out in the woods, in a workshop, at a concert? Sure. To a formal event, no way. But as a way of gaining additional kilt acceptance and bringing in younger kilt wearers I think the MUG is invaluable.

[Blackrose87]

I think it is pretty obvious that if a full blown 8 yard tartan traditional kilt is like a pair of formal tuxedo slacks, then the utilikilt type "MUG" is the chain wrapped, studded cargo pants. I think you ought to wear one accordingly. Out in the woods, in a workshop, at a concert? Sure. To a formal event, no way. But as a way of gaining additional kilt acceptance and bringing in younger kilt wearers I think the MUG is invaluable.

I would have thought it was the other way round. Many younger people would buy cheaper PV or similar tartan kilts, for going to football etc.
And then maybe go on to buy a ultikilt.

I just can't see people here buying a ultikilt as their first kilt, if at all really.

[CMcG]

I think it is pretty obvious that if a full blown 8 yard tartan traditional kilt is like a pair of formal tuxedo slacks...

I beg to differ. A traditional tartan kilt is an extremely versatile garment that can be worn a great variety of levels of formality. See these threads:
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-attire-46888/
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...xamples-68377/

While one might not wear their most expensive kilt to go to a punk rock concert or tromping about in the forest, that is what an older, more beat up trad is for.

[hkjrb623]

I would have thought it was the other way round. Many younger people would buy cheaper PV or similar tartan kilts, for going to football etc.
And then maybe go on to buy a ultikilt.

I just can't see people here buying a ultikilt as their first kilt, if at all really.

I agree. At first I purchased cheaper more traditional styles, and then got into the utilities for hiking and such activities. I like the utility style very much, but I still tend to lean to the trads for most activities, including hiking. A hunting style sporran really negates the need for all those pockets, so there's not really a benefit to wearing the modern. It really comes down to my mood on what I'll wear that day.

[ThistleDown]

I think it is pretty obvious that if a full blown 8 yard tartan traditional kilt is like a pair of formal tuxedo slacks, then the utilikilt type "MUG" is the chain wrapped, studded cargo pants. I think you ought to wear one accordingly. Out in the woods, in a workshop, at a concert? Sure. To a formal event, no way. But as a way of gaining additional kilt acceptance and bringing in younger kilt wearers I think the MUG is invaluable.

Blackrose was asking about Britain and not Georgia, Jason, so perhaps there's the difference, but the point being made by all of us in GB is that the MUG you are referring to is rarely, if ever seen.

[Jock Scot]

I have seen one!!!!!

Just last evening, I was visiting the Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge, as I do on occasion, and there was a fellow wearing one, of, I discovered, a well known brand! A nice chap from Finland, and we had a very happy 5 minutes talking about kilts. Thank goodness he did not ask me what I thought of his kilt! I was absolutely dreading him asking me and I think I managed to keep a poker face throughout.

My impression? They are awful. Much worse than I had hoped and expected. When I left, I spent the whole of the drive home laughing at the design. Others are at liberty to differ, of course.

[seanachie]

Aha, therein lies the folly of your thinking!

We keep an old, much repaired and dearly loved tartan kilt for those scruffy occasions! Besides, I am told that the mud and worse in Flanders during WW1 was pretty testing too for kilts, but with a bit of drying and a lot of brushing most wool, tartan kilts would pass muster for a parade in front of The Commander in Chief, The King.

Yes, Jock but when you don't have generations before you who wore kilts and pass them on or a government to issue you one that is a trickier proposition. A good wool kilt costs a fair amount these days, and quite frankly I don't have the resources to expend that chunk of change and then go roll in the mud and tear it up.

I think Steve was right in his comments about how it is worn and what it looks like. I don't own one of his kilts, but I do Robert Pel's and I think they are an excellent example of craftsmanship and Robert tries to blend modern and traditional. I personally, and it's just my preference, dislike the narrow aprons on UKs, and RKilts have a nice full apron.

[hkjrb623]

Yes, Jock but when you don't have generations before you who wore kilts and pass them on or a government to issue you one that is a trickier proposition. A good wool kilt costs a fair amount these days, and quite frankly I don't have the resources to expend that chunk of change and then go roll in the mud and tear it up.

I think Steve was right in his comments about how it is worn and what it looks like. I don't own one of his kilts, but I do Robert Pel's and I think they are an excellent example of craftsmanship and Robert tries to blend modern and traditional. I personally, and it's just my preference, dislike the narrow aprons on UKs, and RKilts have a nice full apron.

You do realize that you can get a wool kilt from some sources cheaper than an RKilt hemp. I've never understood this argument. You can't justify your side by throwing a similarly priced garment into the fray. I don't know how you could justify running through the mud and muck in a $375 "modern" kilt. That's still a little rich for my blood. If you want something to withstand abuse, buy a casual PV from Rocky. They take it all, look better, and cheaper than any overpriced UK. My moderns have been worn rarely since I acquired mine.

[MacSpadger]

I have seen one!!!!!

If we are talking about utilikilts I have seen only one as well, although in England, not Scotland. It remains the only one I have seen yet. At first I did not recognise it as a kilt at all, it looked to me like a giant inflated pair of MOD issue Chindit style baggies, or a khaki attempt at Elizabethan knickerbockers. I don't wish to knock anyone who wears utilikilts, but, maybe because of my cultural upbringing, it looked insanely askew to my eyes. I just could not see it as a kilt and I don't consider myself as a traditionalist at all.

I have no problem with solid colour kilts, and can recognise well tailored non-tartan kilts as kilts. I actually think John Brown's 3 piece suit looks awfy smart, but the utilikilt, Ah just cannae' get mah napper roond it. I have been wearing kilts for around 40 years, but there is much on this forum that is alien to me, so normally I jist sit here haudin' mah wheest an biting mah tongue.
I'll just add that, again, Jock Scot is correct about old kilts being worn. I don't really know anyone who has ever bought a cheaper or PV kilt. In the 70's and 80's I wore an old Lovat Scouts issue Hunting Stewart kilt for everyday wear, including being out in town or on the hills. It was much repaired and eventually fell apart. You can buy old kilts readily over here for about the price of an ordinary pair of jeans at markets, there is a guy that does a travelling market stall in the NE, (he pitches at Turrif, Aboyne, Ballater, etc) that sells secondhand and army surplus kilts starting at £30. I'm speaking 16oz up to 22oz wool here.
He also sells argylls, etc. I got a beauty of a petrol blue argyll off him for £20. Some people pay that for a dodgy t-shirt with a corporation logo on it.
The good kilts get kept in the wardrobe for the smarter occasions. Here's a reminder of how smart John Brown looked in a solid coloured kilt.

[OC Richard]

Here, on the West Coast of the USA, where Utilikilts originated, they are by far the most-often seen kilts in public.

I work at Disneyland and see tens of thousands of the "general public" every day and I see a man wearing a Utilikilt around once a week, often enough that they don't attract much attention. (These are nearly always actual Utilikilts, not Utilikilt-style kilts of other makes.)

Usually the Utilikilt is part of an entire "fashion culture" including Dr Marten high-topped boots, a black t-shirt (usually with some sort of Celtic-themed logo), and the fellow having long hair and plenty of facial hair.

I very rarely see a man in a traditional kilt... at most once a year.