Amerikilt vs UT Modern/Deluxe Kilt

**RockyR** · 14th October 13, 07:13 AM

Amerikilt is made in the USA and has a quality product. Michael stands behind it and is honestly a very nice guy. I had one a long time ago (it was my first kilt) and I wore the heck out of it. + 1 for AK.

**Nile** · 14th October 13, 10:59 AM

I agree with Rocky; Michael is great guy and makes a quality product. My first kilt was a Saffron AmeriKilt and I loved it.

Like most utility style kilts they're made of a cotton duct type of material. AK's are very ruggedly constructed with a pocket and, of course the pleats are sewn in. There are a couple of reasons that I like the AmeriKilt over other utility type kilts; first, it has a (ay!) pocket, only one (which I find useful) but, it's not bristling with pockets and hardware and stuff. Second, it has a nice straight, wide apron instead of one of those tapered versions found on most others.

It comes with a matching sporran (quite handy actually) that clips on to rings near the belt loops though, I generally wore mine with a traditional style sporran. You can buy one off the rack but, Michael actually makes them to your measured waist and drop if you order one. If you are lucky enough to meet him at his display at one of the East Coast gatherings, Michael will measure you perfectly, himself and, in deed, there might be one in your size/drop on the rack.

I speak in the past tense about mine because at 36", it's too big for me now (I'm 34") and can't be altered or adjusted to fit. There is a small piece of velcro on the overlap that allows a small amount of adjustment but not much, and you can cinch the belt some (but not 2"). I was planning on my son-inlaw taking it over but, it doesn't fit him either so, I'm going to sell it. (will be listing it on XMTS in about two weeks when I get back from a trip)

Anyway, just though I'd share my experience and view.

Nile

**knotty** · 14th October 13, 11:50 AM

I havent had an Amerikilt but I have had 2 UTs.
If you have no kilts & would like to get at inexpensive kilt they are good. The stitching on mine was some what dicy. They were both labeled as poly cotton but 1 was obviousle brushed cotton. One a personal level UT is a great company to deal with. Their kilts are made in Pakistan modelled after the RKilt hemp kilts.

**jayhawk** · 24th November 13, 08:26 AM

OK, and Amerikilt and UT Kilt update.

The Amerikilt in olive drab has now been washed three times (just finished drying today). It's 14 Fahrenheit, so it will not be worn today...but I thought I'd provide a wrinkle update.

I work the kilt a few times before the first washing, and yesterday was the 3rd wash. I've noticed it is starting to wrinkle less with each wash. All I did was wash it, and use laundry clips to hold down the pleats when air drying which seemed to help with decreasing wrinkles at first. I've never ironed it. I'll post another update after a washing or two to see if the wrinkles keep decreasing. I will say after this third wash it is looking great, softer, and I'm hopeful it will wrinkle less when I get a chance to wear it.

I also received a UT kilt for my son...he liked the steam-punkish look it had. Seems to be well made. Despite measuring as Brice suggested, we had to return the first and get the next size up. I sew clothing (made dresses for my wife and renfest clothing for myself), and I also worked at a tux shop...so I know my way around a tape measure and am sure I measured correctly. Size-wise, the UT Kilt requires the same waist as an Amerikilt - just a tip in case you have one or the other and want to order the other one.

Eric

**MAJMike** · 24th November 13, 09:36 AM

Any thoughts about SportKilts? They seem to be popular and look good for informal wear. Quite a variety of patterns and cost effective as well.

**GRKilt** · 24th November 13, 04:20 PM

Thanks Jayhawk. Next time I want a utility style kilt, I'll definitely look at Amerikilts.

@MAJMike: I also have a SportKilt. I think it is the deluxe model, with buckles and sewn down pleats. I like it ok for a very casual look. I have the Irish Revenger tartan, which I really like and would get in a higher quality PV if I could.

But I am most likely to got to back to USA Kilts for my next kilt.

**FinnKilt** · 28th November 13, 07:42 PM

My first kilt ever was an olive Amerikilt. It paved the way for the transition out of legtubes, but I did find it quite distressing how badly the pleats wrinkled when I sat in it. Now, several years and kilts later, I dug it out again, had the sporran sewn on as a side pocket (want to do the same on the other side, but need to correct the mistake of having it sewn at the waist: it needs to be more mid-hip), and wear it around the place as very casual wear. One good point over several of my other kilts is that (like the Utilikilt) the aprons hang well when sitting.

I have also just yesterday acquired a UK Mocker in a pinstripe and am very pleased with its smart look; and today, a made-to-measure from Freedom Kilts in a lovely all-black cloth with a tartan weave and box pleating, also very, very smart: a pleasure to wear on Thanksgiving (my first time in the States, at my American wife's parents' place). Delighted to have two new really smart kilts.

**The Wizard of BC** · 28th November 13, 08:21 PM

FinnKilt,

When someone notices that, in a certain light, that your kilt is a black on black Tartan, they will of course ask; what clan? May I suggest you answer "Clandestine".

**FinnKilt** · 28th November 13, 08:54 PM

Steve,
Thanks for the hint. I like the pleat of irony.
Only problem (more acute for me just now, being the only Brit-speaker in a household of Americans): words like 'clandestine' give me angst how to pronounce them: clandesTYNE or clandesTEEN? Or indeed, à propos this specific suggestion, 'Clan de Stine'? / 'de Steven'?
And thanks for making a lovely garment and for getting it shipped in time for US Thanksgiving.

FinnKilt abroad