Cheap Durable Kilts

[Iolaus]

I gotta agree with Jay; when I first saw the black leather UK, the first thought through my mind was "fetish wear." That's not to say I'm not tempted by any leather kilt, but the smooth leather, the narrow apron (almost reminiscent of a loin-cloth) and lacing up the sides of the UK did make a certain impression on me.

I do like the "loin-cloth" impression of the cloth UKs - gives it kind of a "tough" appearance, but adding the leather component seems to put it over the top for me. For me, the extreme of going with leather needs to be moderated with a more traditional style, like the TFCK, or a less finished surface, like suede (or both).

[MacWage]

In regards to the original, original, original reason for this (and the pervious threads), I was wondering of kilts were a good idea in an environment that tears up shoes and pants in a week or two (images of shreaded legs).

Anyway, I'm looking forword ro see if anything holds up to that abuse.

I was going to suggest (before lockage) that Chris have his wife/significant other study one of his kilts and make cheap ripoffs of heavy canvas and heavy duty thread (double stitched).

Anyone know of any plaid/tartan canvas for sale?

[Chris Webb]

In regards to the original, original, original reason for this (and the pervious threads), I was wondering of kilts were a good idea in an environment that tears up shoes and pants in a week or two (images of shreaded legs).

Anyway, I'm looking forword ro see if anything holds up to that abuse.

I was going to suggest (before lockage) that Chris have his wife/significant other study one of his kilts and make cheap ripoffs of heavy canvas and heavy duty thread (double stitched).

Anyone know of any plaid/tartan canvas for sale?

Thanks, man. Actually Peggy is an excellent seamstress, just too busy working. It's not so much the tearing up of the kilt as it is the amount of dirt, grime and the like. Also, the heat here in Texas is suffocating ... my kilts so far have proved to be a bit hot on the legs. SportKilt thinks that their microfiber material usually used in their new Hiking Kilt is well worth a try. I'll be sure to let folks know how they work out.

Kilt On.

Chris Webb

[Iolaus]

In regards to the original, original, original reason for this (and the pervious threads), I was wondering of kilts were a good idea in an environment that tears up shoes and pants in a week or two (images of shreaded legs).

Anyway, I'm looking forword ro see if anything holds up to that abuse.

I was going to suggest (before lockage) that Chris have his wife/significant other study one of his kilts and make cheap ripoffs of heavy canvas and heavy duty thread (double stitched).

Anyone know of any plaid/tartan canvas for sale?

You were wondering!?! If something's going to tear up your shoes, you may want to rethink the clothing choices from the ground up! Maybe some heavy boots and leather chaps.

In answer to your question - is it a good idea... - I'm thinking an emphatic "NO!" would be appropriate.

...of course, you could wear the leather chaps under the kilt...

[MacWage]

For those who misses it, Chris was asking for a disposable kilt to wear at work, a literal dump. He told of wearing out red wings and other high quality, durable boots, and jeans in a matter of weeks to months. Yet, he was looking for kilts to wear that could be worn, washed, and reworn at least 10 times. As for the widsom of kilts in such an environment, I leave that to him.

As many, my first reaction was "YOU WANT TO DO WHAT?" Yet, I left that to him and was trying to offer a REAL suggestion, which might actually be helpful.

Now, lets keep this thread on KILTS (not women's lacross skirts)!

[Iolaus]

For those who misses it, Chris was asking for a disposable kilt to wear at work, a literal dump. He told of wearing out red wings and other high quality, durable boots, and jeans in a matter of weeks to months. Yet, he was looking for kilts to wear that could be worn, washed, and reworn at least 10 times. As for the widsom of kilts in such an environment, I leave that to him.

As many, my first reaction was "YOU WANT TO DO WHAT?" Yet, I left that to him and was trying to offer a REAL suggestion, which might actually be helpful.

Now, lets keep this thread on KILTS (not women's lacross skirts)!

I think bare legs in a dump is a spectacularly bad idea.

[Kilted KT]

For those who misses it, Chris was asking for a disposable kilt to wear at work, a literal dump. He told of wearing out red wings and other high quality, durable boots, and jeans in a matter of weeks to months. Yet, he was looking for kilts to wear that could be worn, washed, and reworn at least 10 times. As for the widsom of kilts in such an environment, I leave that to him.

As many, my first reaction was "YOU WANT TO DO WHAT?" Yet, I left that to him and was trying to offer a REAL suggestion, which might actually be helpful.

Now, lets keep this thread on KILTS (not women's lacross skirts)!

Aren't HAZMAT suits the garb of choice in such an environment? While I abhore the thought of requiring pants at work, this is one of the few jobs that walking around regimental in a kilt just does not make sense. I don't care how cheap or durable a kilt is, runing around a dump without leg coverings is pure craziness...

[Raphael]

Aren't HAZMAT suits the garb of choice in such an environment? While I abhore the thought of requiring pants at work, this is one of the few jobs that walking around regimental in a kilt just does not make sense. I don't care how cheap or durable a kilt is, runing around a dump without leg coverings is pure craziness...

I hope that he doesn't go regitmental when wearin his kilt to the dump......that would be crazy.

[Raphael]

Cheap and Durable? You must be kidding me. I don't think there is anything that is cheap and durable. It is like an oxymoron. You get what you pay for. Most cheap stuff are poorly made.

Once agian, Kilts are not cheap because of the material required and they are labour intensive.

[Chris Webb]

Cheap and Durable? You must be kidding me. I don't think there is anything that is cheap and durable. It is like an oxymoron. You get what you pay for. Most cheap stuff are poorly made.

Once agian, Kilts are not cheap because of the material required and they are labour intensive.

No, I don't go regimental on the job ... like Raphael said, that would be crazy. As for it being crazy to run around construction sites and dumps bare legged, well, tell that to the Scottish soldiers who ran around battlefields dressed is a similar way.

Most guys here in Texas wear shorts on the job and, yes, we all get our legs scratched up sometimes. Still, dinged up legs is better than heatstroke, I think. The multi layer apron on a SportKilt does provide some real protection, though ... I've yet to be injured above the hem of my kilt.

Raphael is right, cheap and durable may well be an oxymoror, but $40 to 50$ really is not very cheap for something you know will likely be destroyed. Construction guys like me buy our shirts and socks from Walmart for about $3.50 and occassionially throw them out after just one wearing ... given that white is the most heat reflective it is also the most popular color, though the least durable.

Kilts truly are very practical to wear. I first started wearing kilts on the job after seeing a picture of a WWI Scottish soldier leaping into a trench in his kilt. Further research revealed that even the kilted soldiers in the American Revolution faired better health wise than the trousered soldiers. (Yes, there were kilted citizen soldiers back then.)

There is no perfect uniform for the demands of my particular profession, but kilts actually do provide the most protection for the most sensitive areas while keeping you relatively dry and comfortable at the same time. No matter what you wear on the job the best route to safety is common sense and carefulness.

I do appreciate the concerns some of you have mentioned, but I've been healthier and happier since switching to kilts. It's 0610 hrs now so I'm off to get my equipment and head on out.

Kilt On.

Chris Webb