I own a couple of Philabegs and wear them everywhere. These are kilts. The difference between leather vs. velcro closures doesn't matter much in the distinction between kilt & skirt. Apron in the front, pleats in the back, right length... it passes.

If you see pleats all around, or no pleats at all, or the length is too long or too short, you're getting out of kilt turf IMO.

Note that all kilts are skirts, but there are a lot of people who are in denial about that. It's important to note because you can't ask for the difference between a kilt and a skirt when a kilt is a skirt.

There are other skirts out there that are masculine but you're sort of getting out of the domain of this forum when you go there. Then there are skirts which are feminine in design, which some men are really into wearing, and will argue with you until they are blue in the face that clothes don't have a gender. I'm not in a camp that would agree with them.

But I am in a camp that thinks there is more to men in masculine skirts than just kilts. I think the kilt is probably the most socially acceptable masculine skirt, and possibly the most evolved of the masculine skirts, but there is more out there.

Back to your specific dilemma. I have two philabegs and plan on getting a third after the new year. I'm quite pleased with them. The look good, wear well, and are very easy to maintain. Price is nice.