Utilikilts vs. KiltThis! - X Marks the Scot

GreenDragon · #1 01-19-2010, 09:03 AM

I'm very torn right now. I've been planning / jonesing for a Utilikilt for a very long time. But after checking out Kiltthis!'s website, i'm leaning towards buying one of their kilts. I'd like to know other Xmarker's thoughts on any comparisons between the two products.

Thanks!

http://www.utilikilts.com/

http://www.kiltthis.com/

xena · #2 01-19-2010, 09:14 AM

Links?

GreenDragon · #3 01-19-2010, 09:19 AM

see above

xena · #4 01-19-2010, 09:19 AM

Never mind. I googled it.

www.kiltthis.com

Their website seems a little light on pictures, especially pleat shots. But, there's potential there!

MrLion · #5 01-19-2010, 09:31 AM

AND, there's always Alpa Kilts, too:
http://www.alphakilts.com/catalog/index.php

timseh · #6 01-19-2010, 09:37 AM

I can't really comment much on kiltthis other than to say that I, personally, am a little hesitant to go for something like this sight unseen. And with a 2 month wait to boot. On the plus side, the price is substantially lower than a UK.

I have a UK original (the current model original, that is) that I got last year as a wedding gift from my lovely bride and I have to say I love it. I had the good fortune to find a Celtic oddities shop not too far away and was able to go and try several on before purchasing. It's a good thing, too as I would have ordered the wrong size had I decided to purchase it on line, even with careful measurement. They are pricey, but not horribly out of touch with reality in that regard. The Alpha Kilts look nice and the price is certainly good, but I'd like to see one in person before shelling out the $$ for one. I like the narrow apron of the UK as it makes life much easier when not wearing a sporran. I imagine I'd just about have to wear a sporran with an alpha because of the wider, more traditional apron. Not sure I want to do that on a daily basis.

NewEnglander · #7 01-19-2010, 11:23 AM

I have a UK Mocker, so I can't speak to the others. But as my first kilt it was great. I'm glad I didn't go for a model with the cargo pockets. As mentioned above, the narrow apron is clutch not only since you won't have a sporran, but very helpful in maintaining your modesty as you're getting used to wearing a kilt. (I'm still having trouble sorting out the best way to sit properly with my USAK casual.)
I'll have to check out the other merchants. I don't know if I'll go back to a non-trad now that I've worn a USAK, but a knife-pleated kilt in a dark khaki might do it...

Riverkilt · #8 01-19-2010, 12:48 PM

New kiltmaker to me - kilthis...have owned about 15 Utilikilts...whether you give the new guy a chance or not is up to you. Utilikilts were new once too.

Course, the easy answer is always one of each!

Farlander · #9 01-19-2010, 01:09 PM

Amazing price! (the price is almost TOO good)

The wait time is a bit much. Some pages on their website say it is 2 months, some say 4:
http://www.kiltthis.com/Ship_dates_for_pending.html
Such long lead times would seem to indicate that these folks are getting rather overwhelmed.

The web site does not go into much detail about how to make a purchase. They are rather ambiguous about how to choose your fabric, or how to take measurements for example.

None of the above is a show stopper, but it adds to my concern. Any time a deal seems too good to be true...

Tiny · #10 01-19-2010, 02:39 PM

I need to know how much the options are going to cost me. Also what fabrics they have. I'd love an 18 or 22 oz fabric kilt even if it's just solid black. Can I get any tartan I can think of or do they have a list hidden on the site somewhere and I just missed it.

I just looked at there eBay listing feedback doesn't look promising. 95% but half their + are from things they bought. If I had $100 I didn't mind loseing I might give them a chance. Just seems risky to me.