Question about the Utilikilts company

[pbpersson]

Does anyone know what is going on with the Utilikilts company? When I go to their website and look at Mockers, every color is out of stock and you need to get on a waiting list. Is this because the demand is too great and they can't keep up? Or are they shutting down their operations and don't have the manufacturing ability they used to?

Does anyone know? It seems sort of strange....

[User]

I have no special knowledge about the company, but in the last couple months they launched their new Mocker Sidewinder model. I doubt they're spending time on design research if they're shutting down. Perhaps they have low production capacity and the new model is slowing their ability to restock.

[Steve Ashton]

It is my understanding that the issue stems from the basic business plan that the Utilikilts company first came up with.
They sub-concentrated all the manufacturing out to firms around the Seattle area.
Then the retail arm of the company was sold. The way I understand it is the store and website in Seattle is not owned by the original owners of the Utilikilts company which now has far fewer employees that it once had. I don't believe that Steven is even part of the retail any more.

[pbpersson]

I was just looking at the Sidewinder. Does anyone know the exact function of these laces on the side?

I also see the Mocker no longer has back pockets.

The Mocker I am wearing now has two front pockets, two back pockets, and it looks great.

I don't know why when a product is great, companies always feel the need to change things.

[User]

I was just looking at the Sidewinder. Does anyone know the exact function of these laces on the side?

I also see the Mocker no longer has back pockets.

The Mocker I am wearing now has two front pockets, two back pockets, and it looks great.

I don't know why when a product is great, companies always feel the need to change things.

Traditional kilts fit a range of waist sizes by using buckles and adjusting the amount of overlap between the apron and under apron. But the Mocker has a single waist size, like pants, because the apron and under apron attach at a fixed position via snaps.

The Spartan added elastic laces to the back to allow it to fit a range of waist sizes, but many find the laces uncomfortable because they're right in your back when you sit, and the excess length can get between your rear end, legs, and the chair. Also, the pleats are supposed to be reverse Kingussie. But, the amount of show for the middle pleat is determined by the waist adjustment, which can look peculiar if you're on the upper end of the sizing. They underwent a revision or two to improve its appearance, but the same underlying issue is still present.

The Sidewinder is an attempt to offer an adjustable waist with increased comfort over the Spartan by placing the laces on the sides instead of the back and preserve natural reverse Kingussie pleating that doesn't distort when the waist is adjusted.

[NHhighlander]

this post caught my attention, because some kind of not-tartan kilt was my fallback position, if my own project to weave my own tartan etc. failed.
So I search utilitykilt, the Google result says they are closing their showroom? Anyway, after looking at the website the prices are more than what I intend to spend on a non-tartan kilt, turns out that there are many under-$100 options around.

Then I am reflecting. While, if I recall correctly, Barbara Tewksbury advises against trying to do a prototype before doing one's real kilt, which is not bad advice really, I might end sewing a utility kilt, ending up with something useful, while honing the skills. After getting to notice the comfort of the garment during the last two NH Games, I would want that especially during the summer for farming (my official occupation since we moved to NH), the kind of work where I definitely would not want my one-of-a-kind handmade-tartan kilt...

Hopefully Utilikilt survives, whether I am a customer or not, it's my opinion that non-tartan kilts fill a very important niche. One stocker at our local Walmart is a daily utility kilt wearer, makes it easier to consider doing likewise.

[pbpersson]

I might end sewing a utility kilt, ending up with something useful, while honing the skills. After getting to notice the comfort of the garment during the last two NH Games, I would want that especially during the summer for farming (my official occupation since we moved to NH), the kind of work where I definitely would not want my one-of-a-kind handmade-tartan kilt...

If you make your own you can incorporate the features you want and also be assured of the materials and workmanship that went into the effort.

[NHhighlander]

If you make your own you can incorporate the features you want and also be assured of the materials and workmanship that went into the effort.

LOL. If I recall correctly, I was 11 years old or so when I added extra pockets on the sides of my shorts, turning those into some kind of "cargo pants." It was ghastly sewing, I still cringe, but might have been the kind of thing that resulted two years later in me getting apprenticed to a tailor (didn't last). Certainly, my utility kilt will have pockets... Thank you! good memories... And even better happy new adventures ahead!

[pbpersson]

The Sidewinder is an attempt to offer an adjustable waist with increased comfort over the Spartan by placing the laces on the sides instead of the back and preserve natural reverse Kingussie pleating that doesn't distort when the waist is adjusted.

Thank you for that clarification!

Upon further research I see this totally changes the waist size we need to order. I should have seen this before. Very interesting!