Utilikilt - sporran or no?

[Beery]

I've been wearing my utilikilt for a few days now, and although it has plenty of room for wallet, keys etc. in the side pockets, in a strong wind (Like we've been getting here in the Northeast recently) the front of the kilt often lifts up. So I'm thinking of getting a reasonably-priced sporran to counteract this. However, I fear that will basically make me a walking arsenal of pockets.

So is it 'standard practice' to wear a utilikilt with a sporran or without? So far everyone I've seen wears it without, but as far as I can tell from my own experience, it needs something in front.

[Robin]

I like sporrans...

[Mr. Kilt]

I don't think it would be a crime to wear a sporran with a UK, but I personally wouldn't bother. It can get pretty windy up here as well, and I've yet to have an issue with the kilt flying up enough to be concerned about it.

[Riverkilt]

I think the website is still down for repairs, but somewhere in my gallery is a pic of my basil Survival II with a buckskin sporran-like pouch with fringe made by a Shoshone woman.

I think wearing traditional Scot/Celtic sporrans with a UK looks a little "off."

I think the UKs offer more lattitude in wearing sporran-like items than tartan kilts do....Native items in particular. I've seen many Native made bags/pouches that can work. I've seen many colorful Central American cloth pouches that could work. I've even seen sort of "high tech" pouches that could work.

Obviously, a Central American fabric pouch would clash with a tartan, but it works with a UK.

The high tech pouches would be a stretch with a tartan, but fit right in with the modern UK.

I think the supplemental belt attached wallet/sporran thingies we see work better with UKs, though there's really not much need.

YES YES YES...play with sporran-like pouches for your UKs.

Ron

[UmAnOnion]

I have seen in the past UKs with matching sporrans that clipped onto the front belt loops- but a quick check at the website turned up empty...

if you need the extra storage i say go for it but you get used to (and actually enjoy) those breezy days and it becomes a reflex to hold the front down to protect your modesty.

if you kilt flying up is that much of an issue,you can stitch a small pocket at the bottom in the center on the underside of the under apron and put in a few nickels (or fishing weights if you have any available in your area). be sure to wrap the nickels (or weights) in fabric first to prevent them clinking together and lightly stitch the pocket shut. the weight will hold the front down a bit more without being too noticeable. You can undo the stitching closing the pocket when you launder the kilt (or leave them in as the nickels shouldnt tarnish (DONT USE PENNIES FOR THIS REASON) but they will clank if you put the kilt in the dryer and cause extra wear in that area if you tumble dry the kilt.
this will also help your apron to fall more quickly when you sit down with your knees apart.

[Rob Wright]

If you don't need the extra storage doon't bother ,if you want to experiment go for it, if it's to keep the front from flying up look for something unique to use as a kilt pin.

Rob

[Manu]

I'll second the idea of putting some weight onthe apron somehow. However, it has been said here that kilt pins on a UK are not appropriate, for kilt pins are for more traditional style kilts. Maybe a more contemporary kilt pin with some cool design will work.

[Eujeankilt]

I used a fanny pack (belt pack) for several years to relieve pressure from sitting on my wallet so it was just natural to use it with my UKs. It has a tag on which I removed and replaced with a clan badge. I'm also interested in Stillwater's new nylon sporran. It seems a nice mix of tradition and functionality.

I like the weight in front to help hold down the aprons, but I find that what I have to worry about is the pleats in back. I have had them blow up and not immediately notice. You get used to being aware of your fabric when it's breezy.


Dale

[Valencian Kilted]

I'd support the idea of the kilt pin in a modern design, and of course, in this way I'd suggest the Xmarks pin. I'd not support on the same way the addittion of weights of any kind, as "windy surprises" are part of kiltwearing, as I see it, and, also as Robin said,... I like sporrans, so I'd recommand the Freelander's ones, as they are not the typical or topical "scottish style", and they can match, in my opinion, with a more casual outfit.

¡Salud!

T O N O

[Iolaus]

I have seen in the past UKs with matching sporrans that clipped onto the front belt loops- but a quick check at the website turned up empty...

If you're remembering this, it's an Amerikilt



As for the kilt pins, my opinion is that the apron on a UK is so narrow, once the pin was in place it would be closer to the middle than to the outside, and every step would knock it toward the middle, thereby opening the apron to catch more breeze!

If exposure is more of your concern than the extra pocket space, I'd not worry about it; unless you get a massive up-breeze (like a floor vent) you're not likely to ever show more than the upper thigh of one leg - the overlap should at least keep your equipment covered.

Besides, think about how men react when a breeze shows the upper thigh through a woman's slit skirt... now think about what the women are thinking in a turnabout situation!