Utility Kilt Question

[CMcG]

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've just bought a Prince of Wales tartan kilt off ebay, I've decided against utility kilts, but may go for a sports kilt for next summer.

Well, I guess you have your answer, but I'll still chime in. I love my Utilikilt for wearing around the house in the warmer months. It's comfortable and has practical pockets. As others have mentioned, the edges of the pleats are sewn down, so they stay in place, although I'm not much bothered by them being a bit rumpled on a knockabout kilt.

I also have a tartan Sportkilt, which with its elastic waistband is the most comfortable thing I own. It is much lighter than my Utilikilt, so better for really hot days, and also for vigorous hiking. I don't tend to wear a kilt—traditional or modern—in my daily life outside the house, but rather for special or cultural occasions. That being said, I often wear a kilt at home, and when I do it's either a Sportkilt or Utilikilt.

Being in Spain, Mel1721L, I can imagine that local views on the kilt are quite different from places where people of Gaelic heritage are more common (i.e., Scotland, Canada, Australia, etc). Only you can tell what the reaction might be like to a Utilikilt with the folks you interact with in your particular location, but based on my experience visiting Spain a couple times, I'd bet it might generally be viewed as odd at best. I somehow think a tartan kilt might at least allow people to make a cultural connection... maybe a tartan utility kilt is in order for you!

[Mel1721L]

Win Spainll, I guess you have your answer, but I'll still chime in. I love my Utilikilt for wearing around the house in the warmer months. It's comfortable and has practical pockets. As others have mentioned, the edges of the pleats are sewn down, so they stay in place, although I'm not much bothered by them being a bit rumpled on a knockabout kilt.

I also have a tartan Sportkilt, which with its elastic wtband is the most comfortable thing I own. It is much lighter than my Utilikilt, so better for really hot days, and also for vigorous hiking. I don't tend to wear a kilt—traditional or modern—in my daily life outside the house, but rather for special or cultural occasions. That being said, I often wear a kilt at home, and when I do it's either a Sportkilt or Utilikilt.

Being in Spain, Mel1721L, I can imagine that local views on the kilt are quite different from places where people of Gaelic heritage are more common (i.e., Scotland, Canada, Australia, etc). Only you can tell what the reaction might be like to a Utilikilt with the folks you interact with in your particular location, but based on my experience visiting Spain a couple times, I'd bet it might generally be viewed as odd at best. I somehow think a tartan kilt might at least allow people to make a cultural connection... maybe a tartan utility kilt is in order for you!

You are right, being in Spain is very different. There is a real macho culture here. I think a utility kilt may be a step too far, they seem to accept a tartan kilt ok but they obviously associate it with Scotland. As I had wearing it around the home as it's main purpose, I think a sports kilt has the edge in comfort from what I've read.

[mac]

I have 3 Utilikilts - A tan survival, A black Workman and an Olive Survival
I don't think they all look great
I did get a mocker model - that did feel too skirt like and I returned it.

The Survival and Workman models are very HEAVY, not lightweight and suitable for winter wear.
The original is lighter.

[Alan H]

All I can say now is that clearly you are terrified of wearing a kilt.

Someone may think you are gay.
It's not part of the culture.
Your wife may not like it.
It costs too much.


I strongly suggest that you drop the whole idea and stick to pants. You'll be much happier.

[Mel1721L]

All I can say now is that clearly you are terrified of wearing a kilt.

Someone may think you are gay.
It's not part of the culture.
Your wife may not like it.
It costs too much.


I strongly suggest that you drop the whole idea and stick to pants. You'll be much happier.

Where did that come from? I have 5 kilts and have been wearing them every day for nearly a year, just not utility kilts. I suggest you check out other posts before making unwarrented assumptions.

[Alan H]

Yes, that's a good point. "Contemporary" kilts. You wear tartan kilts regularly, with no problems. So insert the word "contemporary" before the word "kilt" in the first line of my post above. The rest stands as I wrote it.

If you're terrified that someone will think you are gay, if you wear a non-tartan kilt
If you're worried that non-tartan contemporary kilts are not part of the culture of Spain
If you're very, very concerned that your wife will not like seeing you in a non-tartan kilt

and so on....

which is essentially your response to every single post in this thread where guys on the forum have explained how and why they wear "contemporary, non-tartan kilts", or show you pictures of themselves wearing kilts like that..then dude...

--> Just don't wear one. Wear pants or wear your tartan kilts and be done with it.

[Mel1721L]

Yes, that's a good point. "Contemporary" kilts. You wear tartan kilts regularly, with no problems. So insert the word "contemporary" before the word "kilt" in the first line of my post above. The rest stands as I wrote it.

If you're terrified that someone will think you are gay, if you wear a non-tartan kilt
If you're worried that non-tartan contemporary kilts are not part of the culture of Spain
If you're very, very concerned that your wife will not like seeing you in a non-tartan kilt

and so on....

which is essentially your response to every single post in this thread where guys on the forum have explained how and why they wear "contemporary, non-tartan kilts", or show you pictures of themselves wearing kilts like that..then dude...

--> Just don't wear one. Wear pants or wear your tartan kilts and be done with it.

You plainly have issues with me. You seem to be deliberately insulting and confrontational. I will not rise to the bait, other than to say as someone who has been on active service in the British army, served in the police and ambulance services, there is very little that terrifies me. However at nearly 60 and being new to wearing a kilt, I think I'm allowed to ask questions. In actual fact I decided against this kind of kilt in the end as I didn't like the overall style. I will make no further remarks on the subject.

[cookingkilted]

My only question is, when does the fabric loosen up? I have an Original Utilikilt and the fabric feels so stiff. I see others in theirs and the fabric falls and folds like I want but mine just sticks out and doesn't move. I have washed it a couple of times but still its stiff.

[jayhawk]

Have you added fabric softener to the wash? A couple of washes with softener really helped my Amerikilt.

[ratspike]

My only question is, when does the fabric loosen up? I have an Original Utilikilt and the fabric feels so stiff. I see others in theirs and the fabric falls and folds like I want but mine just sticks out and doesn't move. I have washed it a couple of times but still its stiff.

Assuming your Utilikilt is new, you just gotta wear it. That's what will help wear in the fabric. I think the Original is poly/cotton twill? If it is, that stuff should soften up nicely. Think of it as a good excuse to wear your kilt a lot.