Modern (Tactical) Kilts, the wear and accessorizing thereof. . .?

[Scout]

Welcome to the X Marks board!

Except for a sporran, I leave the rest of the accessories behind when I wear my TDK. I guess that sporran is a bit redundant with a modern, pocketed kilt but I like to make a bit of a nod at least to the tradition and frankly I prefer the look. Even then though I don't go the truly traditional route but opt for a SWK nylon "Nightstalker" sporran.

The bottom line as Steve has mentioned is that there are no kilt cops (at least none with any authority!) so wear what you like!

[Tobus]

I wear both traditional kilts in the traditional way and modern utility-style kilts in a contemporary way. Trying to mix the two styles just doesn't work.

So I don't wear any sort of sporran with my Utilikilt, nor do I wear regular kilt hose or a sgian dubh or any of that traditional stuff. The contemporary utility-style kilt is really in a league of its own.

[Dale Seago]

Except for a sporran, I leave the rest of the accessories behind when I wear my TDK. I guess that sporran is a bit redundant with a modern, pocketed kilt but I like to make a bit of a nod at least to the tradition and frankly I prefer the look. Even then though I don't go the truly traditional route but opt for a SWK nylon "Nightstalker" sporran.

I totally agree with Scout here.

I grabbed two TDKs last year, but never tried one on until three days ago. I don't think of it as a "real kilt", but I find that I like it. Here I am Tuesday evening at the dojo after teaching my martial arts class. You can't see the footwear, but I was wearing black Goretex-lined slip-on shoes from Merrell with black boot socks. Black polo shirt, the belt, and high-topped tactical boots have been required uniform items on various security jobs in past years, I didn't buy them because they look cool with the TDK. And I'm wearing a black ballistic nylon Nightstalker Cargo Sporran from SWK, attached with a pair of s-biners:

[MNlad]

For example: with the TDK, I will wear Corcoran Jump Boots, folded knee-high socks, a Wilderness Tactical web belt, one of a number of small, nylon pouches serving as a sporran, a modern tactical small knife as a sgian dubh, and one of several bits of jewelry pressed into service as a kilt pin. Colors are as appropriate, usually brown boots with brown belt and the same as with black).

Sounds good to me. The only exception I might have is with the kilt pin. They seem out of place to me on a modern kilt. Exceptions are, like Steve said, a patch sewn on, an embroidered pattern, etc. Since this is a "tactical" kilt, the last thing you want is a piece of bling getting in the way or giving away your position (just kidding ).

Welcome to the rabbble.

[Huginn and Muninn]

I'm another one whose Utilikilt was a gateway kilt into THCD. But I've taken several cues from THCD in how to accessorize, as I feel that the silhouette and proportions are similar. I always wear tall socks, although not always with a turnover. I'll usually wear tall boots, some boots taller than others. I like a knife in my sock, and sometimes it is a sgian, sometimes a modern knife. I also just like knives. I wear a kilt pin with a narrow apron because San Francisco is windy. I've worn a sporran with my UK mocker, since the pockets are hidden and sometimes awkward to store items. But that's only when I'm dressing up my top half as well, with at least collared shirt and sometimes vest/waistcoat.

[Panache]

I have always found that my modern kilt outfits look best when worn simply. You can have a nod to traditional highland dress, but keep it simple. For instance my traditional tam works well with my X Kilt and Stillwater Kilts nylon sporran.



Cheers

Jamie

[Tartan Hiker]

Steve mentioned using patches in lieu of kilt pins. I sew fuzzy-side Velcro onto my overaprons. I use contact cement to adhere hook-side Velcro to the back of patches and other items I want to use as a "pin." Makes for a quick-change kilt "pin" and maintains the look of modern BDU's.



Here is the same kilt in action just yesterday. Snapped a photo after spending 5 hours doing maintenance on a muddy section of trail here in western NC.

[The Professor]

Hmm. . .well. . .much of this seems to revolve around the short aprons of the "tactical" kilts.

Mind you, I'm one one for convention, but . . .while perusing one maker's site for a patterned kilt that suits my liking, I noticed they offered a more traditional kilt in single colors. I might go this route and choose a more traditional pattern (although I've seen some around here that take even that term to task) in an earthtone color for more casual wear.

Until then, I guess I'll just wear the kilts I have with my own personal flair (just two pieces of flair, mind you, not eleven). There's a lot to be said for eccentricity!

But this, then, opens the possibility for another topic.

The Professor