Traditional vs. Casual Kilts

[M. A. C. Newsome]

My question comes from a lot of posts I've seen on the forum. Specifically, excluding material, what is the difference between traditional and casual kilts. I see the obvious differences between the pocketed "modern" canvas and denim and other ones. But when it comes to a tartan kilt is there a traditional and casual difference - excluding material weight and content?

This is a question you need to ask your individual kilmaker, or the place selling you the kilt. Your answer may vary.

All the answers thus given have been good, but not necessarily true across the board. For example, if you purchase from the Scottish Tartans Museum, the only difference between our standard 8 yard kilt and our casual kilts is that the casuals have 4 yards, not 8, and they are machine stitched, not hand stitched. Otherwise, the make and fit are the same.

[Peter C.]

I would say a traditional kilt can be either hand stitched or machine stitched. The Royal Regiment of Scotland wear machine stitched kilts and I am sure no one would say they don't wear traditional kilts.

Peter

[pastorsteve]

Such great information. My daughter loves to sew, and has offered to make me a kilt. I want to have her (with the Mrs.'s oversight)make me a utility kilt in black or dk. brown. Thanks all.

[pastorsteve]

This is a question you need to ask your individual kilmaker, or the place selling you the kilt. Your answer may vary.

All the answers thus given have been good, but not necessarily true across the board. For example, if you purchase from the Scottish Tartans Museum, the only difference between our standard 8 yard kilt and our casual kilts is that the casuals have 4 yards, not 8, and they are machine stitched, not hand stitched. Otherwise, the make and fit are the same.

Ahhhh............. So a kilt by any other name......... Thanks for all the answers.

[Cherub]

Casual kilts are often machine washable, whereas traditional Scottish-type kilts are often not. In some cases, namely with my Original-model Utilikilts, I've had adequate success machine drying them as well, although I should note this was not officially recommended (by the Utilikilts company), and does not seem to work well with other model Utilikilts. Some Scottish-type kilts are, however, machine washable, and look very nice. I have a "Semi-Traditional" tartan kilt from USA Kilts which is machine washable and looks great. Because of this convenience, I tend to wear it a lot more often than I do a wool kilt, which takes more effort to clean.

That's odd my UK specifically says on the label "Machine Wash Cold, Hang Dry"

[DotDLL]

That's odd my UK specifically says on the label "Machine Wash Cold, Hang Dry"

Mine did as well, although at some point I gave it a try. On my Original Model ones, it usually works out ok. I've also tried them on a Survival and a Jean-Cut model, and machine drying them has left them quite wrinkled, to the point where they either need to be ironed, or washed again and hung dry.

I would say that machine drying an Original Model definitely falls into the, "at your own risk" category. I've found the results to be ok, and have one such kilt that I've owned for a few years and its held up great, but your mileage may vary, especially if the Utilikilts Co. builds them with different materials, which I vaguely recall them doing.

[TheBlueCow]

Mine did as well, although at some point I gave it a try. On my Original Model ones, it usually works out ok. I've also tried them on a Survival and a Jean-Cut model, and machine drying them has left them quite wrinkled, to the point where they either need to be ironed, or washed again and hung dry.

I would say that machine drying an Original Model definitely falls into the, "at your own risk" category. I've found the results to be ok, and have one such kilt that I've owned for a few years and its held up great, but your mileage may vary, especially if the Utilikilts Co. builds them with different materials, which I vaguely recall them doing.

I own Survivals, Mockers, and a corduroy jean-cut model. The Survivals are made of 100% cotton, the Mockers are a poly/cotton blend, and Originals are also poly/cotton.

I noticed that any of them (although less so with the poly/cotton ones), that it is a wrinkled mess right out of the washer. Precautions need to be taken while drying to ensure the wrinkling does not set in. In the past someone mentioned they add weights to the bottom of the pleats while hang-drying. With the last few Utilikilts I've received, instructions were included and said to lay the kilts flat for drying, and to make sure you smooth out the pleats properly, which involves going pleat by pleat and smoothing it out. When using the lay-flat method I've also added weight on top of the bottom of the pleats, or clipped them together, as they tend to curl.

So I've found that whichever method I use, the key is to smooth out the pleats after washing, and add weights to make sure the pleats pull straight, and clips to make sure the bottoms of the pleats don't curl. It is a much more tedious process than one wishes it would be, but I found I don't have to wash my kilts as often as I would wash my pants. I also suggest taking precautions when storing the kilts to prevent wrinkling and curling as well.

[Cherub]

I have had very little problem with the wrinkling, I do lay them flat to dry and after a few washing's I take them to a cleaner to get them pressed. No Problems so far, Mine is 100% cotton twill.

[Alan H]

In terms of quality, I've inspected a Freedom Kilt "contemporary" kilt at close range, and I challenge anyone to say that's not a quality-made garment. They are BUILT.

The same goes for R-Kilts. BUILT. They are nicely made, solidly constructed, and very substantial pieces of clothing and worth every nickel.