Utility Kilt Head Cramp...

[Benning Boy]

I have no issue with utility type kilts. However mine are 5.11 Tactical kilts. The only time I've ever had anything somewhat negative said about them once was at Fort Leavenworth where a retired colonel and active colonel weren't sure what to make of my "skirt." I was wearing a green colored one. Perhaps if I'd been wearing Multicam they'd have been cool with it. The Multicam seems to go over with military folk just fine.

I do try to wear plaid (tartan) shirts and long kilt hose with my 5.11s so I look more Scotish. I haven't reached the boots and scrunched hose look yet, but am verging on it. I might try a sporran if I could find one to match the Dee rings on the 5.11s . However the front pockets on the 5.11s eliminate the cargo pocket issues with the utility type kilts.

Of course some may be freaked out by 5.11 cargo pockets as inside are smaller pockets specifically designed for unmentionable things. Then you're stuck with the other utility type kilt problems.

[MNlad]

However the front pockets on the 5.11s eliminate the cargo pocket issues with the utility type kilts.

Not to mention that the cargo pockets are detachable. I find I often wear them sans cargo pockets with a small belt pouch instead.

[Curtis Bias]

I have the UT Kilts ultimate utility kilt. I never use any of the side cargo pockets. I do use the slash pockets for my pocket knife.

It has a front pocket under the front apron. I love it. It ishidden, but easily accessible to me because I know it is there. My wife, on the other hand, says that it looks like I'm scratching my boy bits when I reach on there to grab my cell, phone, wallet, or keys.

I could live without the side pockets or the back pockets.

[OC Richard]

Here on the Left Coast most of the kilts I see are Utilikilts (the actual brand).

My take is based on two facts about myself

1) I started kiltwearing in the 1970s when only traditional kilts existed- full yardage 100% wool handstitched kilts.

2) I have spent the last 40 years playing in Pipe Bands, and the typical Pipe Band attitude about kilts is the only kilts worth wearing are traditional kilts.

I well remember the first time we (the local Pipe Band community) saw Utilikilts, when they had booth at one of our Highland Games. The booth was swamped with eager customers, but the reaction of our Pipe Band community was overwhelmingly and passionately negative. I heard many comments about them being thin and wrinkly. One must keep in mind that many Pipe Band people have been regularly wearing heavyweight wool kilts since their youths, and are accustomed to the way traditional kilts hang and look and feel.

But Utilikilts' success is plain for all to see. Until Utilikilts appeared all of the kilts seen at Highland Games were traditional kilts; now Utilikilts make up half of the kilts seen at our local Games.

It's been recent and sudden. I just looked it up: Utilikilts' first year, 2000, they made 750 kilts. In three years they were making over 10,000 kilts a year. Soon imitators were appearing everywhere.

I'm a bit of an outlier, regarding kiltwearing, in the Pipe Band community, and from the very first time I saw them I liked what might be called "the Utilikilt fashion culture" of combat boots, scrunched-down socks, Utilikilt, t-shirt, and plenty of hair, piercings, and tattoos. Not that I would ever adopt that look myself, but as an artist I appreciated that something new had been created. They're a creature of Seattle, and they look it.

From the beginning I loved the look of the camouflage Utilikilts in particular. Once I bought one used for a great price on Ebay. When it arrived I put it on, looked in the mirror, took it off, and sold it on Ebay. I like how they look on others, but they're not for me.

[Tobus]

I'm a bit of an outlier, regarding kiltwearing, in the Pipe Band community, and from the very first time I saw them I liked what might be called "the Utilikilt fashion culture" of combat boots, scrunched-down socks, Utilikilt, t-shirt, and plenty of hair, piercings, and tattoos. Not that I would ever adopt that look myself, but as an artist I appreciated that something new had been created. They're a creature of Seattle, and they look it.

As it so happens, I'm in Seattle for a few days on business. I guess I should have brought my Utilikilt!

It may be true that the image you describe is the original look for Utilikilts, but I just wanted to point out that it's not the only way to wear one. I would not fit in with the long-hair scruffy pierced crowd, but I do wear mine for hiking and other outdoor pursuits where I would otherwise be wearing cargo shorts. No T-shirts for me, though. I actually prefer to wear mine with a plaid flannel shirt, tucked in.

It will be funny in a few decades to read posts about Utilikilt traditionalists who claim it must be worn to a certain look!

[OC Richard]

Yes not the only Utilikilt look- not by a long shot. In just a few years they've become so integrated into the costumes worn at our local Renaissance Faires that the public must thing they've been around for 500 years.

And at our Highland Games they've become standard wear in the Clan Tent area, with kilt hose and Clan crest t-shirts.

But at Disneyland (my job) we see tens of thousands of people from all over the world and the Seattle-ites (and Portlandians) are easy to spot with their Utilikilts, boots, scrunchy socks, long pony tails, cowboy hats, and so forth.

AFAIK no Pipe Band has approached The Circle wearing them.

[inebrius]

Yeah, I went there. My paycheck comes from a warehouse and my side hustle is as an (wannabe) artist blacksmith so I wanted something that would be protective, comfortable in the Mid Atlantic humidity and provide a level of accessability to commonly used tools. Thus, my acquiring 2 utility kilts in short order, (my heritage on both parents sides not withstanding). Ventilation, protection and a tool belt all in one. (And the workboots, tall wool socks and tee-shirts are all more function over form.)

But I like your idea. Glad it works for ya!

[tripleblessed]

I haven't reached the boots and scrunched hose look yet, but am verging on it.

My age is definitely showing. As I read the above, I heard a quiet voice in my head saying "Danger, danger, Will Robinson.".




PS - Interesting to discover that if the smiling emoticon doesn't register, when you go to edit to add, they don't appear to be still accessible.