Utilikilts - Polling the experts

[ccga3359]

There are several issues I am concerned about.

1) Temperature - I'm an extremely warm blooded guy. I have to carry freezer packs in the summer, and roll around in the snow (while wearing shorts sandals and a t-shirt) just to cool off after being inside in the winter. While I'm sure the ventilation will be helpful for all, the colder the better.

2) Durability/Maintenance - I need something that will last, and which will require as little time and effort as possible. If it can't take some real abuse, or will need lots of ironing etc. then I will not be happy.

3) The Butt - Quite frankly, my backside is a thing of beauty. It's glorious really. In all honesty, it's a national treasure. As such, I need a kilt which looks good on the backside, neither exaggerating or completely obscuring it.

For concern 1 & 2 I would recommend RKilts hemp. It is cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. No fabric aside from possibly leather is more durable. Down side is that it is approaching $300. It is however, about the meanest looking kilt out there. The straps are beefy and it has 2 retractable tool holder straps that surprisingly are sized to the diameter of a beer bottle. IMO Utilikilts are not masculine the apron is just too narrow and the shaping of the rivets remind me of, well, a women's naughty bits. Just browse aroud RKilts as the canvas, hemp & leather all are made with the same look except the material. I just spent the weekend at a Scottish festival in my new RKilts, it was leather admitedly but it did get the stares and positive comments.

[Rigged]

I think it's easier to mistake a UK for a skirt than a tartan kilt.

Except for people who associate tartan kilts with school-girl uniforms.

[Perldog007]

If you read "The Art of Kiltmaking" you will see a definition of a kilt "....knee length skirt....worn by men".

Hell, out where I am even when they know about kilts, they still consider wearing one for daily wear as "a man in a dress". Whatever. Like Kid Cossack posted "Their problem, not yours". Amen.

At the local Food Lion I am pretty sure the staff refers to me as "the Tranny" . Bully for them.

If you go by what others may think it will be a wonder if you get kilted at all. Except for the games and Burns Suppers. Get your kilt how you want, wear it how you want.

The kilt/skirt debate won't start or end with any of us.