The perfect kilt for daily wear?

[Mr. Woolery]

Actually, I'd like to see more information about kilt design. This is starting to be a fascinating topic to me and I would appreciate as much discussion from kilt makers as possible.

I've made a couple of home kilts (wearing one right now) that had some degree of success. But I am not ever likely to offer any for market. The real value of having sewn a few is that I can now appreciate design a lot better.

Sport Kilts are appealing from a simplicity point of view. They are just a wrap-around design with velcro waist and pleats in the back. I like the simplicity, but it doesn't really cut it for higher-quality wear. Plus, I just don't trust velcro for holding my privacy in. Two of my homemade attempts use velcro... Utilikilts are rugged, but I think they overdo the macho factor with their site and with their designs. They just don't look elegant to me and I like elegant.

One thing I have found that I like quite well is jean buttons. I used those for my current twill favorite. They are fast to button and very stable. I plan to try a couple of pocket ideas in the near future, but one of my home jobbies has patch pockets under the aprons. The one on the left utilizes a super-deep pleat under the top apron just to make room for the pocket.

I'd love to find some good tartan or tartan-esque material that would make an inexpensive kilt. If only, you know?

My ideal for daily wear:
Plaid, in either a tartan or tartan-like material
machine-washable
Fast to put on (buttons or snaps)
Very secure on my waist
pockets
full-width aprons (I don't like the narrow ones very much)
Made in US or Europe, not a 3rd-world country
affordable (which sort of rules out US/European manufacture)
belt loops

There are some really neat kilts out there and I would love to see more. However, I'm pretty broke most of the time, so what I'd really love is something that doesn't cost more than $60, which is what I spent last time I bought two pairs of Levi jeans.

So, all in all, I do think that there is a lot of room for further discussion of what makes a good daily-wear kilt and how to put it together. And I would love to have that part happen in public, not in PMs! (Business stuff should, of course, be private, though.)

-Patrick

[James MacMillan]

This is not meant to be a frivolous response, but the best kilt for daily wear is the one that you wear daily.

I wear casual tartan kilts daily. I am comfortable using the sporran, so no pockets doesn’t bother me. There are also certain things that can be done that make up for no pockets. Things can be securely stuck into the waistband or hose top. Shirt pockets or when available jacket pockets work also. I also have been known to tuck an object behind my sporran strap with good results. This works very well with paperback books that won’t fit in a crowded sporran.

I have been dragging my feet lately buying a UK or FK or some such non-traditional kilt. I don’t know if I would use it that much.

Non-trads tend to be used with hose down – not my style. I like tartan – a lot! Many (most) non-trads are solid color.

I remain - Perplexed about a non-traditional kilt. Having said that, I am really leaning towards having the Wiz make me one. Just can’t yet get a handle on all the options.

[ccga3359]

This is not meant to be a frivolous response, but the best kilt for daily wear is the one that you wear daily.

I wear casual tartan kilts daily. I am comfortable using the sporran, so no pockets doesn’t bother me. There are also certain things that can be done that make up for no pockets. Things can be securely stuck into the waistband or hose top. Shirt pockets or when available jacket pockets work also. I also have been known to tuck an object behind my sporran strap with good results. This works very well with paperback books that won’t fit in a crowded sporran.

I have been dragging my feet lately buying a UK or FK or some such non-traditional kilt. I don’t know if I would use it that much.

Non-trads tend to be used with hose down – not my style. I like tartan – a lot! Many (most) non-trads are solid color.

I remain - Perplexed about a non-traditional kilt. Having said that, I am really leaning towards having the Wiz make me one. Just can’t yet get a handle on all the options.

You'll be glad you did. I know you like your kilts cut traditional and tartan. i highly recommend the front slash pockets even if you don't go with a contemperary choice of material. You'll find that they will spoil you or my name isn't 'Steve's paid minion'.

[James MacMillan]

You'll be glad you did. I know you like your kilts cut traditional and tartan. i highly recommend the front slash pockets even if you don't go with a contemperary choice of material. You'll find that they will spoil you or my name isn't 'Steve's paid minion'.

Ok, OK - I PM'ed the Wiz, and he gave me some more feed back, and I am struggling with the options now. What color, fabric, pocket options, style, etc, etc, - - there are a lot of choices, when you go non-traditional.

I'm leaning towards just one front side pocket, khaki, and normal pleats, but, still open for ideas....... I do know that I'm not yet ready for the leather and chicken look yet........ well, I could buy a wig?

[turpin]

Why not consider a Tartan kilt made by Steve following the design he has already discussed here.? He does work in tartan.

[James MacMillan]

Why not consider a Tartan kilt made by Steve following the design he has already discussed here.? He does work in tartan.

Well, the object is to go towards a non-traditional kilt........ So I thought I would not get tartan for that....... Plus since this is really an experiment, I like the idea that there are some lower cost ways to go.

Sometimes it really is hard to teach an old dog new tricks!

[creativeaccents]

For the very reasons you referenced, there will always be a market for the value added personal touch that you bring to your kilts, so I don't think that even if off the rack kilts of the type we have discussed would adversely affect your business. Just as there are those who are seeking the 70.00 Pakistani kilts, there is still a market for the custom tailored, traditionals. However, I do believe that the off the rack, well made kilts of fine fabrics, clean lines and more neutral styles will also happen.

[sharpdressedscot]

Wouldn't a Utilikilt be suitable for daily wear? They have pockets, yet they still look like a kilt. but that's my opinion.