Utility Kilt Head Cramp...

[Wowbagger427]

After some thoughts, both random and otherwise, I have finally decided to ask the rest of y'all what you have to say about utility kilts. Generally, I like the idea and the kilts themselves. However... isn't there always a "however" lurking in the very tall grass? Anyway, I'm not all that thrilled with the permanently attached, dangling cargo pockets. For me, they interfere with the way the kilt hangs and if you've got a mobile in one of the pockets they make for a not too comfortable lump when you're sitting anywhere.

Experimentation time! I removed the cargo pockets off of one of my two utility kilts. Hmmm... it hangs better (swish + swagger...) but, the capacity for extra stuff is removed. Easier to sit, more comfortable there but... less load on board. A true trade off. I much prefer the feel, hang and increased comfort over the cargo capacity. I removed the cargo pockets off of the other utility kilt as well. BONZER!

And, I have solved the cargo capacity problem with... A SPORRAN! I love the slash pockets: great for car keys, a small knife, change, ChapStick and the usual pocketized crap. The sporran gets the wallet, the mobile and other stuff. For me it is a pretty good combination of methods.

The pic is of me in the utility kilt before I'd removed the cargo pockets and hung the sporran.

Thoughts? Comments?

[lschwartz]

My first kilt, purchased on a blazing hot day at a Celtic festival when I was sweltering in my blue jeans, was an AmeriKilt in olive drab. It has a back pocket large enough for a slim wallet or cell phone, and comes with a fabric sporran that matches the solid colored kilt. It is the one on the left hand side of the attached picture. Click the image for a larger version. I can't figure out how to make it actual size.



Here is another image of the same kilt...


It is simple, comfortable, and easy to take care of. It even swishes a bit. It does not have cargo pockets on it or front slash pockets, but that is fine as I don't like the cargo pockets as a design feature and the fabric sporran works well for what I need to carry, just like yours does. If I need to carry "cargo" then I use a leather belt pouch on my belt or wear a different sporran, both are worn on my hip rather than in front. Scots are practical and I can't imagine that they didn't use a belt pouch of some kind during any century if they were wearing a belt. I also expect that many would wear their sporran to the side as normal practice.

Larry

[Tobus]

After some thoughts, both random and otherwise, I have finally decided to ask the rest of y'all what you have to say about utility kilts.

Well, it depends. Not all utility kilts are created equal. Some have external pockets, some don't. Some are soft, some are stiff. There are just too many differences to make generalisations.

The only utility kilt I have experience with is the Utilikilt Workman. I use the side pockets regularly, as well as the snap clip. When I'm hiking, these pockets make for easy access to a handkerchief to wipe the sweat off my brow, or for trail maps, and similar items. They are not very comfortable when loaded with bulky or heavy items, so I just use them for light storage. I could live without the rear pockets, though. They are worthless to me, since they're so flat and tight, and putting anything in them results in big bulging dangly weights slapping into my rear every time I take a step.

[Twrecks911]

My first kilt is an STK utility kilt, and I love it. Th front apron has a nice deep reach through pocket, that I carry most everything in. I have 4 detachable pockets that I don't use that often. I have a viking style soft leather sporran that I wear to fests. This kilt has molle straps, and if I need extra storage, I use surplus military molle pouches.

[Benning Boy]

I have no issue with utility type kilts. However mine are 5.11 Tactical kilts. The only time I've ever had anything somewhat negative said about them once was at Fort Leavenworth where a retired colonel and active colonel weren't sure what to make of my "skirt." I was wearing a green colored one. Perhaps if I'd been wearing Multicam they'd have been cool with it. The Multicam seems to go over with military folk just fine.

I do try to wear plaid (tartan) shirts and long kilt hose with my 5.11s so I look more Scotish. I haven't reached the boots and scrunched hose look yet, but am verging on it. I might try a sporran if I could find one to match the Dee rings on the 5.11s . However the front pockets on the 5.11s eliminate the cargo pocket issues with the utility type kilts.

Of course some may be freaked out by 5.11 cargo pockets as inside are smaller pockets specifically designed for unmentionable things. Then you're stuck with the other utility type kilt problems.

[MNlad]

However the front pockets on the 5.11s eliminate the cargo pocket issues with the utility type kilts.

Not to mention that the cargo pockets are detachable. I find I often wear them sans cargo pockets with a small belt pouch instead.

[Curtis Bias]

I have the UT Kilts ultimate utility kilt. I never use any of the side cargo pockets. I do use the slash pockets for my pocket knife.

It has a front pocket under the front apron. I love it. It ishidden, but easily accessible to me because I know it is there. My wife, on the other hand, says that it looks like I'm scratching my boy bits when I reach on there to grab my cell, phone, wallet, or keys.

I could live without the side pockets or the back pockets.

[OC Richard]

Here on the Left Coast most of the kilts I see are Utilikilts (the actual brand).

My take is based on two facts about myself

1) I started kiltwearing in the 1970s when only traditional kilts existed- full yardage 100% wool handstitched kilts.

2) I have spent the last 40 years playing in Pipe Bands, and the typical Pipe Band attitude about kilts is the only kilts worth wearing are traditional kilts.

I well remember the first time we (the local Pipe Band community) saw Utilikilts, when they had booth at one of our Highland Games. The booth was swamped with eager customers, but the reaction of our Pipe Band community was overwhelmingly and passionately negative. I heard many comments about them being thin and wrinkly. One must keep in mind that many Pipe Band people have been regularly wearing heavyweight wool kilts since their youths, and are accustomed to the way traditional kilts hang and look and feel.

But Utilikilts' success is plain for all to see. Until Utilikilts appeared all of the kilts seen at Highland Games were traditional kilts; now Utilikilts make up half of the kilts seen at our local Games.

It's been recent and sudden. I just looked it up: Utilikilts' first year, 2000, they made 750 kilts. In three years they were making over 10,000 kilts a year. Soon imitators were appearing everywhere.

I'm a bit of an outlier, regarding kiltwearing, in the Pipe Band community, and from the very first time I saw them I liked what might be called "the Utilikilt fashion culture" of combat boots, scrunched-down socks, Utilikilt, t-shirt, and plenty of hair, piercings, and tattoos. Not that I would ever adopt that look myself, but as an artist I appreciated that something new had been created. They're a creature of Seattle, and they look it.

From the beginning I loved the look of the camouflage Utilikilts in particular. Once I bought one used for a great price on Ebay. When it arrived I put it on, looked in the mirror, took it off, and sold it on Ebay. I like how they look on others, but they're not for me.

[Tobus]

I'm a bit of an outlier, regarding kiltwearing, in the Pipe Band community, and from the very first time I saw them I liked what might be called "the Utilikilt fashion culture" of combat boots, scrunched-down socks, Utilikilt, t-shirt, and plenty of hair, piercings, and tattoos. Not that I would ever adopt that look myself, but as an artist I appreciated that something new had been created. They're a creature of Seattle, and they look it.

As it so happens, I'm in Seattle for a few days on business. I guess I should have brought my Utilikilt!

It may be true that the image you describe is the original look for Utilikilts, but I just wanted to point out that it's not the only way to wear one. I would not fit in with the long-hair scruffy pierced crowd, but I do wear mine for hiking and other outdoor pursuits where I would otherwise be wearing cargo shorts. No T-shirts for me, though. I actually prefer to wear mine with a plaid flannel shirt, tucked in.

It will be funny in a few decades to read posts about Utilikilt traditionalists who claim it must be worn to a certain look!

[OC Richard]

Yes not the only Utilikilt look- not by a long shot. In just a few years they've become so integrated into the costumes worn at our local Renaissance Faires that the public must thing they've been around for 500 years.

And at our Highland Games they've become standard wear in the Clan Tent area, with kilt hose and Clan crest t-shirts.

But at Disneyland (my job) we see tens of thousands of people from all over the world and the Seattle-ites (and Portlandians) are easy to spot with their Utilikilts, boots, scrunchy socks, long pony tails, cowboy hats, and so forth.

AFAIK no Pipe Band has approached The Circle wearing them.