Slash Pockets on traditional kilt

[Joeyblueeyes]

Hello,
So I mostly have utility kilts from UTKilts with the slash pockets and I love them but I'm wanting to get a nice traditional particularly tailored kilt...with slash pockets.

I know this was the Freedom Kilts thing but he has retired. Sports kilts seems like they have some slash pockets but don't seem traditional and frankly I don't even like how their kilts look in pics on their site. Houston Kilt Makers maybe?

I searched the forum before and the Freedom Kilts guy talked about some of his former employees were making them with slash pocket now, etc and I'm just like "who and where are they? who should i trust?" this will probably be my one "expensive" kilt since otherwise I'm pretty happy with my UTKilts.

Thanks,
Joe

[Liam]

First of all welcome to the forum from Western Canada! The owner of the forum Steve, who was the owner of Freedom Kilts will know doubt respond to you regarding kilt makers who can deliver a slash pocket option.
All the best.

[Steve Ashton]

Yes, I was until I retired just before my 70th birthday, the owner and primary kiltmaker at Freedom Kilts.

And yes, for a while I did have two guys who worked for me who have since opened their own shop.

I would not call the parting amicable because the differences between us came over - Best profit making business model v.s. Highest quality kilt regardless of profit.

Yes, I was the developer of what today is called "The Contemporary Kilt". My kilts were built to the same standards of the highest quality Traditional kilts with full floating interfacing and full width stabilizer.

The differences were that the customer could specify if they preferred to wear their kilt at Full, Middle, or Low waist height. The customer could specify what style of pleating they preferred (without pressure based on profit) and how those pleats would be displayed. I had developed methods of constructing the kilt with the customers choice, (depending on budget) of hand stitching or machine stitching without losing the famous swish, an attractive hang and lifelong durability. I offered my customers fabrics from all the major UK weaving houses and fabric is one place I refused to cut corners. Even my Polyester/Rayon blend fabrics came from the only weaver of kilt quality synthetics in the world at the time. I also developed methods of constructing pockets without ruining the hang or swish of the kilt. (the most pockets I ever built into a kilt was 26) The customer could put an amazing amount of stuff in my pockets without it ever showing.

Perhaps this video will explain it better that words can.

https://youtu.be/Oh3_6QyJ6IQ

As of right now I know of no other kilmaker who offers the same quality and fit that I did. Yes, pockets can be added to almost any kilt and other makers do offer them. But I am, and still are, the developers and only maker of The Contemporary Kilt.

[figheadair]

I'm wanting to get a nice traditional particularly tailored kilt...with slash pockets.

Welcome Joe.

You may have an idea in mind of what you mean by 'a nice traditional particularly tailored kilt' but the term seems contradictory.

Many (most?) people would think of a traditional kilt as one that reflects the broad style commonly worn for most of the 20th century. I don't understand the [particularly reference? That aside, pockets were not a feature of 'traditional kilts' and so if you want them, then you don't want a traditional kilt. Or have I missed something?

[Steve Ashton]

The way I would describe it is this -

There are currently two types of kilt that have pockets.

The first would be the Utility or MUG style. AKA the Utilikilt. These would usually be found in solid colors, camo and other non-Tartans. The fabrics are usually something other than wool with poly/cotton and 100% cotton the most common.

The second would be the Pub style. AKA Sporkilts or the Pakistani imports. While many of these are in plaids and Tartans the fabric is usually synthetic like Acrylic and Acrylic blends. If out of wool, it is no usual for the spinning or weaving commonly associated with fine, kilt quality wool fabrics.

Both of these styles are usually machine washable. The Utility style are commonly worn low like blue jeans and the Pub style are usually worn low but not as low as the Utility style.

Notice that I do not refer to my kilts as being Traditional kilts as described in TAoK. I coined the term Contemporary Kilt to mean one manufactured with the same internal strengthening elements as a traditional kilt but with features that are desired by today's kilt wearers
.

[Steelkilt]

I have not had the pleasure of wearing one of Mr. Ashton’s kilts, so I cannot comment on them.

I have ordered a “traditional” kilt from utkilts, and had them add slash pockets- they are functionally useless. The kilt I have with the pockets is fine (considering the source), but the pockets are so high and narrow they serve no purpose.

For me, I’ll stick with a sporran (or, if I’m dressing more casually, I wear a cross-chest bag which works well).

[cheffiejeffie]

First, Where can I get your book, Mr. Ashton? oh please, please, please!!

I wear 5 yard contemporary kilts with slash type pockets under the aprons everyday, you can't tell the difference til I put my hand in them, and they are very handy. I won't say mine are to Mr. Ashton's quality, but they can be made without compromising their look or structure.

[Joeyblueeyes]

I wear 5 yard contemporary kilts with slash type pockets under the aprons everyday, you can't tell the difference til I put my hand in them, and they are very handy. I won't say mine are to Mr. Ashton's quality, but they can be made without compromising their look or structure.

Where do you get them?

[AZ koyote]

I'd also be interested in seeing that book!

I ran across a kilt with 4 hidden pockets once years ago in Concord (CA) at a Highland games. Very cunning and well executed.

I feel like a left side slash pocket in the reverse pleat would be a no brainer.

Anyway- I'm preparing some spring kilt shopping and am also interested in current options for pockets.