Utility Kilt Question

[ratspike]

I was thinking about a utility kilt as it seems a practical solution to hot weather where shorts and undies are uncomfortable and a traditional kilt not always possible.

However I'm a bit worried that they may appear kind of "gay?" No offence intended to anyone that happens to be that way inclined but I'm not comfortable with that possible perception and don't even know if they are looked on that way or not. No one here abouts wears one, then again there is only one other person I know who wears a kilt anyway. In other words it's am image question.

I'm also informed that they don't keep their shape and the pleats don't keep their sharpness.

My wife also thinks they look too much like a womans shirt.

I'd appreciate some feedback from those with experience of utility kilts.

I don't know much about a lot of things, but I do know a thing or two about utility kilts. If the style appeals to you then yes, absolutely, they're a fantastic and practical thing to wear when it's hot. I much prefer cotton and cotton blends to even a short yardage wool kilt when it's really warm. They're also just fine for dirty, messy work. I work at a dog shelter two days a week and have a poly/cotton kilt that's reserved just for that. I'm crawling around on the floor and in tight spaces, cleaning kennels, painting, washing dogs, getting filthy and generally treating my kilt badly. Works just fine for me.

Nobody will assume you're gay. Unless you're wearing your kilt at a gay bar, and even then it'll be because you're at a gay bar, not because you're wearing your kilt. Yes, you'll see Utilikilts at Pride parades. You see them at straight events too. I wouldn't worry about it.

A well made utility kilt will hold it's shape just fine. Typically the pleats will be sewn along the inside and outside edges, so they're always sharp and don't need to be pressed after washing. A poorly made utility kilt, just like a poorly made tartan kilt, will look like crap. And yeah, international shipping rates suck. I think USPS flat rate to Spain is about 60 bucks.

True, some people hate them or think they look like women's skirts. *shrug* Not much you can do about that.

[Mel1721L]

I don't know much about a lot of things,isn't but I do know a thing or two about utility kilts. If the style appeals to you then yes, absolutely, they're a fantastic and practical thing to wear when it's hot. I much prefer cotton and cotton blends to even a short yardage wool kilt when it's really warm. They're also just fine for dirty, messy work. I work at a dog shelter two days a week and have a poly/cotton kilt that's reserved just for that. I'm crawling around on the floor and in tight spaces, cleaning kennels, painting, washing dogs, getting filthy and generally treating my kilt badly. Works just fine for me.

Nobody will assume you're gay. Unless you're wearing your kilt at a gay bar, and even then it'll be because you're at a gay bar, not because you're wearing your kilt. Yes, you'll see Utilikilts at Pride parades. You see them at straight events too. I wouldn't worry about it.

A well made utility kilt will hold it's shape just fine. Typically the pleats will be sewn along the inside and outside edges, so they're always sharp and don't need to be pressed after washing. A poorly made utility kilt, just like a poorly made tartan kilt, will look like crap. And yeah, international shipping rates suck. I think USPS flat rate to Spain is about 60 bucks.

True, some people hate them or think they look like women's skirts. *shrug* Not much you can do about that.

T

Thank you for your comprehensive reply. I hope that dog shelter isn't like the terrible killing stations they have in Spain. You sound like a dog person though. I have 3 dogs, all rescued straight from the street.

They don't appeal in the same way as a traditional kilt, it's just the practicality of it in a hot climate.

A gay bar is highly unlikely, I don't even know if they exist in Spain to be honest. I suppose they must do.

Anyway, is there any particular make you would recommend?

Although my wife will probably have the last word.

[ratspike]

T

Thank you for your comprehensive reply. I hope that dog shelter isn't like the terrible killing stations they have in Spain. You sound like a dog person though. I have 3 dogs, all rescued straight from the street.

They don't appeal in the same way as a traditional kilt, it's just the practicality of it in a hot climate.

A gay bar is highly unlikely, I don't even know if they exist in Spain to be honest. I suppose they must do.

Anyway, is there any particular make you would recommend?

Although my wife will probably have the last word.

The shelter I work at is no-kill. We take in owner surrendered dogs and transfers from other shelters in Oregon, Washington, and California. Transferred dogs are often being sent to us from overcrowded shelters where they'd otherwise have been euthanized. We're not a huge organization but we still manage to find homes for about 1,000 dogs a year, give or take. I've been doing the adoption photos for almost 10 years, and I've been a regular staff member for a while now as well. This is us >> Family Dogs New Life

As far as recommendations, if you want to do off the rack there's Utilikilts, Stumptown Kilts, and Amerikilts. If you want custom made there's Alt Kilt. Stumptown and Alt Kilt are both advertisers here.

[McMurdo]

I have 2 utility kilts one is a Utilikilt that I wear around the house, and the other is a Union Kilt. Union Kilts are out of Wales and may just be a better shipping option for you.

http://www.kilts.org/content/view/1/5/

As for being more "gay" honestly I don't think you have anything to worry about there, if someone is going to question you about your kilt it really will not matter if it is tartan or not.

[Mel1721L]

The shelter I work at is no-kill. We take in owner surrendered dogs and transfers from other shelters in Oregon, Washington, and California. Transferred dogs are often being sent to us from overcrowded shelters where they'd otherwise have been euthanized. We're not a huge organization but we still manage to find homes for about 1,000 dogs a year, give or take. I've been doing the adoption photos for almost 10 years, and I've been a regular staff member for a while now as well. This is us >> Family Dogs New Life

As far as recommendations, if you want to do off the rack there's Utilikilts, Stumptown Kilts, and Amerikilts. If you want custom made there's Alt Kilt. Stumptown and Alt Kilt are both advertisers here.

I'm glad to hear it's a no kill shelter. Here in Spain 50 -100,000 Spanish greyhounds are murdered by hunters every year when the dog is of no further use to them. Often hanged, burned or otherwise disposed of with maximum cruelty. Added to that is the normal animal abuse and neglect. The people here can be very barbaric.

Anyway, keep up the good work.

I'll check out those makes later, I have to walk the dogs now then pick some people up at the airport, a 200 km round trip.

[Steve Ashton]

Gentlemen,

May we please ask that we keep this thread on topic - which is utility style kilts. If you wish to insert a second topic a second thread is the usual process. If you wish to talk about animal shelters you can take it to PM.

[Half Scot Half Pole]

I have a Damn Near Kilt 'Em highlander. It is a bit sloppy, but then so am I. My ravens can perch on my leg and won't stick their talons through the fabric or pull the thread out, heck, they even poop on the kilt and I just wash it off with the hose, it's cool in the day and warm in the night in this high desert. If my pack goats jump up on me I don't worry about their dirt and hooves ruining the fabric. I get it muddy, dirty, can hit it with solvent to get the grease out. This particular kilt is the equivalent of heavy duty cotton work pants.

As for effeminate, who cares? Are you wearing lipstick and stuffing your bra? Thought not. You're raising a family, trusting in God, and paying taxes to Caesar from your hard earned paycheck. No better man than that can be found. Being a man, wear a kilt, it's your God-given right secured by our Scots brothers.

As for your wife, always apologize even if you didn't know what you did wrong. Worked for me for thirty six years so far.

And Steve, I promise I won't mention dogs. Not once.

[Jordan]

I have a couple of Utilikilts and one Union Kilt. I'm not a massive fan of the Union Kilt but that's just my opinion of the pockets. Both makers made good hard wearing products.

I'll agree that they can't be dressed up but are good for what they are. I used to wear my Denim Union kilt for mowing my mums grass and the light DIY that's all I ever do.

Just my tuppence but I've sort of out grown the wearing of them nowadays.

[Mel1721L]

I have a Damn Near Kilt 'Em highlander. It is a bit sloppy, but then so am I. My ravens can perch on my leg and won't stick their talons through the fabric or pull the thread out, heck, they even poop on the kilt and I just wash it off with the hose, it's cool in the day and warm in the night in this high desert. If my pack goats jump up on me I don't worry about their dirt and hooves ruining the fabric. I get it muddy, dirty, can hit it with solvent to get the grease out. This particular kilt is the equivalent of heavy duty cotton work pants.

As for effeminate, who cares? Are you wearing lipstick and stuffing your bra? Thought not. You're raising a family, trusting in God, and paying taxes to Caesar from your hard earned paycheck. No better man than that can be found. Being a man, wear a kilt, it's your God-given right secured by our Scots brothers.

As for your wife, always apologize even if you didn't know what you did wrong. Worked for me for thirty six years so far.

And Steve, I promise I won't mention dogs. Not once.

But you did mention ravens!

I think my wife will have the final say on this matter, I don't think she'll mind as long as Iit isn't worn out doors and no one sees me wearing it!

[Kiltboy]

I prefer my Utilikilt (Workman's model) for yard work. Heavy, washable, and tough to damage. But this model can be quite warm at times.

A gay bar is highly unlikely, I don't even know if they exist in Spain to be honest. I suppose they must do.

This made me laugh. Just search Yelp. There are plenty, if you are inclined to get a drink.

Kilt on!