Kilt Review - new Midas Leisure Kilt

**cessna152towser** · 15th October 07, 07:32 AM

Midas Clothing of Manchester, England, recently introduced a leisure kilt to their range, in their 07/08 collection. The kilt is offered in waist sizes in even inches up to 40. Believing that a 38 would be too tight and a 40 too loose, I ordered a bespoke 39 waist, which meant waiting a bit longer. The kilt is only offered in a 21 inch length, though I have since learned that they will also make them in a longer length. It is offered in a choice of microfibre or woven material and I chose the woven material.

The kilt arrived this morning, one day short of five weeks since ordering.

A close up of the webbing fastenings, also showing pleats and stitching. This kilt clips on at the front with two squares of velcro and is possibly the closest European equivalent to the Sportkilt. I have fastened the top strap to its tightest position, which is a comfortable fit, though it sits lower than a traditional kilt. This is no bad thing as the length would be too short for me if hung from the navel. There are no loops for attaching a belt or a sporran, but there is a handy pocket on the opposite side from the fastening straps.

I had to go out to lodge papers with the Sheriff Clerk at Jedburgh which gave me an opportunity to continue the photoshoot against a backdrop of Jedburgh Abbey.

Front view, close up. The little label is lettered midasclothing.com designed for men.

Back view. Unusually this kilt has just two double pleats at the back. I found this very practical for sitting in the car. It was a windy day which would have challenged a heaver kilt and I found that it behaved quite differently from a more traditional kilt. While having fewer pleats prevented it rising at the back, the narrow front aprons and lightweight material gave the kilt a tendency to flap open at the front.
This kilt is made in England by local producers for Midas. At £66 it is not the cheapest lightweight kilt but you do have the satisfaction of knowing you are not exploiting sweat shop working in the third world.
On the whole, fair value for money, and will be good to wear as an alternative to shorts in warmer weather.

**McClef** · 15th October 07, 10:24 AM

It's rare that I don't like your choices for kilts Alex but I regret to say that the lack of pleating would put me off right away.

Nice pics of Jedburgh Abbey though!

**GMan** · 15th October 07, 12:07 PM

I do like the straps it respect to the leisure aspect of the Kilt

**ccga3359** · 15th October 07, 12:45 PM

From the title I was expecting a gold lamme polyester leisure kilt from the 70's! Although I like the simplicity of the Fastex buckles on the side and the thought that this would make an excellent travel kilt, I do have to echo Trefor. Hey, my opinion means nothing if you like it.

**Chef** · 15th October 07, 07:44 PM

Am i wrong or do the front aprons only overlap a few inches?

If that is the case, and with no pleats I don't think I would like it. I do appreciate the fact that it is made in the UK though.

**Roan Carter** · 15th October 07, 08:39 PM

I'm glad people are still engineering new types of kilts. I'm certain that driving in this kilt is really easy.

Btw, the UK in the Fall ... breathtaking!

**Riverkilt** · 15th October 07, 11:40 PM

Well....um....it is different. It is good to see designers pushing the envelope and kilties with courage enough to risk something new...

The design is most interesting....guessing its more fashionable in England...but anything on the edge is good.

You're a brave man Alex...very brave....

Ron

**cessna152towser** · 16th October 07, 09:28 AM

Am i wrong or do the front aprons only overlap a few inches?

Correct - the front overlap is just seven inches.

**Moosedog** · 16th October 07, 10:10 AM

Thanks for the review! I have a couple of questions:
--How deep is the pocket?
--What is the fabric made of? You indicated woven but not sure what the composition or weight is.

Thanks,

The ever inquisitive Moosedog

**cessna152towser** · 16th October 07, 10:26 AM

--How deep is the pocket?
--What is the fabric made of? You indicated woven but not sure what the composition or weight is.

The pocket is oblong in shape with a rounded end - six inches wide at its widest and nine inches deep at its longest.
The fabric is labelled as 65% polyester, 35% cotton.
It is a very light fabric - total weight of the whole kilt including the fastenings is just twelve ounces - when the postman handed me the parcel it felt much too light to contain a kilt!