Alpha Kilts and Utilikilts

[DireStraitsFan]

Pardon me if I am late to this party, but I noticed the Alpha Kilt banner at the top of one of the pages and decided to check them out. Is it just me, or are these just Utilikilts in disguise? They look exactly the same down to the color, pockets, and style. What gives?

Somebody set me straight on this. I know you will.

Thanks!

[Andy]

I can't help out with your question mainly because I have a few myself about these?

1. Are these type of kilts pretty popular? I'm curious as to how many of the rabble on here with traditional kilts actually have one of these and use them?

2. For those who do have one, do you tend to wear them more frequently than a normal kilt?

3. Does anyone ever get any sort of criticism from wearing one of these?

I'm starting to warm up to the idea of getting one, but I'd appreciate some input from the rabble to help me in shaping my opinions...

[TheBlueCow]

I can't help out with your question mainly because I have a few myself about these?

1. Are these type of kilts pretty popular? I'm curious as to how many of the rabble on here with traditional kilts actually have one of these and use them?

They are indeed pretty popular. Utilikilts touts about the thousands they've sold, and they seem to be getting bigger as they are going international. I don't know the popularity of them here on Xmarks, although there are certainly a good amount of us that own them. But you also have on here people that only wear traditional kilts, as well as people who wear either both styles (and I bet there are a few that only wear modern kilts).


2. For those who do have one, do you tend to wear them more frequently than a normal kilt?

Well, I pretty much only own Utilikilts right now. I wear them just out and about. Modern/contemporary kilts really seem to appeal to the 'average joes' who want to switch from pants to kilts, but not get into the tartans and accessories and such. I'd wear them like I would wear jeans. They seem to be more subtle/less flamboyant than tartan kilts. Many people don't realize I'm wearing my UK's, I've worn them out with friends who didn't realize for hours that I was wearing it and thought I was just wearing shorts.

3. Does anyone ever get any sort of criticism from wearing one of these?

I have yet to receive any criticism (at least, to my face) about wearing one. But, there are some people who think that modern/contemporary kilts are more apt to be called a skirt than a tartan kilt would be, due mostly to the solid colors and worn-at-the-jeans-waist styling. Personally, I've received many compliments from people, my friends think it's cool and so do strangers - and so far everyone has recognized it as, and called it a kilt without me having to correct them.

I'm starting to warm up to the idea of getting one, but I'd appreciate some input from the rabble to help me in shaping my opinions...

I think that if you like the style, go ahead and wear them. That's probably how just about all of us got into kilts in the first place, isn't it? Not afraid of being different.

To the original poster: There are certainly similarities between UK's and Alpha Kilts, but there are differences as well (wider apron on the Alpha Kilt, for one). I know about people that swear by the construction and fit of Alpha Kilts, but I don't own one myself to verify. Although, I am thinking of getting an Alpha Kilt in the future, and they're certainly more affordable than a UK, as all of their models are under $200 USD.

[JolyStNicholas]

My personal opinion is to stick with the traditional Kilts.

[DireStraitsFan]

I have an olive utilikilt, but I rarely wear it. I'm not a big fan of the cut of it. It doesn't wear like a kilt, in my opinion. When i do wear it, it is out to the hiking trail and such. I never wear it in urban settings.

[Dan R Porter]

I am no modern kilt expert, but I went and compared the two sites and I see many differences. The apron is widr on the alpha, which I think looks better. I also see buttons/studs on the utili. I also see differences in construction. I won't or can't say anything from experience, but I like the look of the alpha's much better. But I repeat, I prefer more trad kilts.

[csbdr]

I have UK's and soon to have an Alphakilt, and also wear trads. I like them all, for different reasons. The UK's strap on like a nice worn in pair of jeans (for lack of a better comparion) I have a UK Survivor on now, and often wear them if I have errands to run, or doing work around the house. Cargo pockets are great for that. Better than a sporran, IMO. I wear the trads alot also, but feel a little dressier in them, and am far more concerned about what happens to them. I'll go pick out lumber for a project in a UK. Probably not in a trad hand-sewn!

I think, and someone correct me, one big differnce is where they are worn. It looks like the alpha is worn at the natural waist, more like a trad. The UK is definately worn lower at the pants waist. Like I said, I'm not sure of this as I don't have an alpha yet and I can't seem to find measuring instructions on their site.

[lucienrau]

The UK is definitely worn at the pants waist, I think the alphakilt is also. I've got two UKs, a mocker & original and I have a tank.

Here's my 2c. I like the ease of the buttons and I'm not sure of the fastening system on the alphas. The narrow apron on the mocker is annoying and the deep internal pockets make it pretty warm. I like my original, but how the cargo pockets fall when I sit annoys me. I tend to wear them in place of jeans or khaki's. Not terribly dressy, but not bad. Traditional kilts can dress up more. I've worn mine for a couple of years now and the little annoyances with them has me tending towards more handmade items. I need to replace my UK's within the next year as they don't fit anymore and I probably won't buy another. I think I will buy an alpha because I like the clean lines and I like that I can wear it gardening, to the lumber yard, pretty much anywhere.

As far as comments, I haven't had an issue. I've gotten weird looks sometimes when I've taken the bus, but nothing other than that.

[puckhead9]

I have a traditional Morrison Modern Green and a Mocker UK. I wear my UK alot. My trat kilt I wear for formal gathering and festivals. I am looking to get a tan UK or similar to round out my casual and work day attire.

[ccga3359]

Pardon me if I am late to this party, but I noticed the Alpha Kilt banner at the top of one of the pages and decided to check them out. Is it just me, or are these just Utilikilts in disguise? They look exactly the same down to the color, pockets, and style. What gives?

Somebody set me straight on this. I know you will.

Thanks!

The apron is definitely wider, having not seen a full pleat shot I cant comment aside from UK have a reverse Kingussie pleat much like RKilts and seems to be making a comeback in traditional kilts. Cargo pockets can be found on RKilts Freedom Kilts, Union Kilts and is an option with the XKilt. The colours is what is generally available from canvas makers, they may get from the same supplier. It appears to me that Utilikilts and Alphakilts differ greatly after being both being called contemporary.

I have several casual kilts including two camouflage (Freedom Kilt & RKilt) and a leather (RKilt). I don't have to worry about the abuse these might get trudging through the thickets or a drunken night of bar-hopping. If you considering getting one get one, you'll love it. I've never gotten a negative comment wearing one of these puppies. When asked what clan/tartan my camo kilt is my reply;
Clan Destine, hunting tartan .