Pockets on trad kilts?

[rtc872]

I have a question for those with traditional style kilts with pockets.

For starters, are they useful?
Do they destroy the lines by bulging at all?
And in particular, I remember seeing a kilt that had an under apron pocket that looked uncomfortable to walk with when full. Am I mistaken?

I reckon pockets would be nifty on a kilt but I just cannot see it working. I would probably get a kilt with pockets and never use them.

Thanks for your help

[bilgeplug]

RTC, I Have a couple of kilts & lots of pockets, even under the apron. I think they are great. You can fill them up with a lot of stuff & nobody can tell by looking at your kilts. Everthing hangs as it should.
Chris

[BoldHighlander]

That's what a sporran is for!

[The Wizard of BC]

rtc872,

I think there may be a little confusion in terms here.
If by Traditional you mean a full 8 yard, hand stitched, Wool Tartan Fabric, Kilt with full interfacings and stabilizers, made in the traditional style -
As far as I know there is no one currently producing such a Kilt that includes pockets as a regular part of the design. (There may be, I have just never heard of one.)

But, if you are referring to a full 8 yard, Wool or P/V Tartan Fabric kilt that rivals the look, hang, and swish of a Traditional, then there is only one maker that I know of.

Here is an 8.36 yard, 16oz fabric, X marks Tartan Kilt.


here is a pleat shot of the same kilt.


And viola, here are the side slash Pockets


And the Under-Apron Pocket


As an engineer I take pride in the pockets in my kilts. I cannot find it right now but somewhere on the forum is a set of pictures of me doing one of my favorite tricks. I stand in front of someone and ask them if they can tell if I have anything in my pockets. When they say no, I proceed to pull out my pipe, lighter, pipe tool, car keys, cell phone, tobacco pouch, and change purse. In all it is difficult to hold it all in my two outstretched hands. But I can have it all in my pockets with no bulge or distortion of the look of the kilt.

If you see almost any picture of me in a Tartan Kilt that is exactly what is in the pockets.

I then take my cell phone and slide it into the Under-Apron Pocket and tell them, "It's on vibrate, call me, please.". I have never felt my blackberry in the pocket. It hangs just right where it does not flap or bounce. And in the car I can reach my phone without it being caught under the seatbelt.

[xman]

And the Under-Apron Pocket

Jammin'!

Isn't there a tradition of 'pipers' pockets' just like this in military/band kilts at least?

[O'Callaghan]

Both Freedom kilts and Sport Kilt have tartan kilts with available slash pockets, and Sport Kilt even do tartan kilts with cargo pockets, or both types at once!

Tripp NYC make tartan kilts with cargo pockets, but they are punk/goth style kilts.

I have a Sport kilt with slash pockets, and I wear it a lot, more often than my other kilts.

[rtc872]

I was just wondering because my next kilt will be for more casual and everyday wear so wondered how practical pockets would be. There are times when you need something handy which sporrans are not. Things get placed on top of others and they get jammed an when you are in a rush to get something done it seems nice to spread these things out a tad.

I'll have to look into those photos the wizard of bc. Is there something about wool that make pockets less viable?

Rtc

[M. A. C. Newsome]

One time I tried experimenting with putting side slash pockets in a kilt I was making and I did not like the results. 1) When I put anything with any size in the pockets, it created a bulge in my kilt. 2) I didn't really use the pockets much because I could carry anything I needed in my sporran.

I've seen Steve's kilts in person and he has magically discovered a way to create "pockets of holding" in his kilts so that they look empty even when you have stuffed 40 lbs of gear in them. No idea how he does it. But I'd say unless you are buying a Freedom Kilt, expect to see some bulging in the shape of the kilt when you stuff your pockets.

I have also seen several traditional kilts with small pockets sewn into the center front of the inside apron (where the sporran would hang). These could be quite useful for members of bands or other groups who are required to wear parade style hair sporrans, many of which are made with no functional pouches (or pouches of minimum size). This way you can keep your ID and some cash on your person when in uniform.

However, for general wear I don't see the purpose for this kind of pocket. It doesn't hold that much, it's right where your sporran hangs anyway, and if you ever need to access it, it requires you to stick your hand under your apron and dig around.... well, it just doesn't look "dignified"! :-)

I have found a solution to all of this, happily! I have a small collection of detachable pockets that can be worn suspended from a belt with any of my kilts. This way I can mix and match, and wear them with different kilts. Some of these detachable pockets have fur, some are plain leather. You can get them with metal cantles, tassels, and all kinds of other options. You can have them made in formal or casual styles. Really adds a lot to your wardrobe. And they even have a special Gaelic name: sporran. I like mine so much I never wear a kilt without one! :-)

[Kilted Sapper]

I myself like the pockets, especially when golfing! You don't have to worry about the Sporran in the way and the pockets work great for carrying your tees, divot repairer or an extra ball or two!

[rtc872]

I have found a solution to all of this, happily! I have a small collection of detachable pockets that can be worn suspended from a belt with any of my kilts. This way I can mix and match, and wear them with different kilts. Some of these detachable pockets have fur, some are plain leather. You can get them with metal cantles, tassels, and all kinds of other options. You can have them made in formal or casual styles. Really adds a lot to your wardrobe. And they even have a special Gaelic name: sporran. I like mine so much I never wear a kilt without one! :-)

Very drawl.

I do love my sporrans and would definitely be wearing one but there are times when tuning a band that you need a knife, a tuner, electrical tape and then somewhere to quickly stash them before you go on to the field. I just wondered if these pockets would fit the need as opposed to asking some poor kids mother to follow you and get scared because everyone is getting a little snippy as time runs short. Or even worse, asking the better half to help and owing help in return.

Either way, something to look into maybe