Added to my kilt collection.

[ThreeGs]

I have been wanting to get a more modern, more casual kilt for a while now and I recently found one at a good price.
I came across this DNKE Sport Utility model which appeared to be in good condition on the Goodwill auction site. I ended up as the high bidder at less than half the price of a new kilt direct from the company.
Upon receipt I discovered the pockets contained a Silica Gel packet and a small ziplock bag with many extra snaps. I doubt this was ever worn before. It is in wonderful shape except for a rip on the inside label and I believe the fit is just about perfect.
Now I have a kilt I can wear while playing yard games and in situations where I wouldn’t want to risk my handed down family tartan kilt.

[12stones]

Congrats on the thrifty find!

[Couper]

Nice find. I have a utility kilt that is similar (from UT Kilts) and my wife just bought me a black utility kilt from GotKilt at the Mall of America (during a visit last month). I use my casual/utility kilts as you describe.

[KiltedBigWave]

What a great find, congrats.

[Troglodyte]

I have seen other posts like this one, showing pictures of this kind of garment - usually described as a utility kilt or the like.

Viewed from here in Scotland (through now aged and rather traditionally-focused eyes) I find myself perplexed. And my recurring response is 'But why..?'

I should add that I have never seeon one being worn here in Scotland, so I am guesing it is 'another culture' thing at play here.

There must be something fundamental in the idea and appeal of these so-called kilts, but what is the attraction or preference over a real kilt - and you all know very well what I mean by that!

Please do not misunderstand me. This is a genuine request for information and enlightenment.

Why would a man prefer a garment of this kind over a properly-made kilt in wool, or even synthetic materials that look the same?

The only reason I can imagine, is that they appeal to men who don't like tartan - but surely the tweed or hodden-grey kilts answer for that. The cut and wearing style makes me think they must be uncomfortable and awkward compared to a traditional kilt.

Is cost the issue?

But, to me, who often sees kilts of superior quality and excellent condition (I mean the eight-yarder in heavyweight wool) for sale in charity shops for £20-£40 (and sometimes much less) that cannot be the reason either.

If there is a definitive answer, or a check-list of preferences I am unaware of, could someone kindly help clear my bewilderment.

Before I get bombarded with 'Choice..!' responses, which I understand of course, I would like to know and understand why the preference, not just that there is one.

[Tobus]

Why would a man prefer a garment of this kind over a properly-made kilt in wool, or even synthetic materials that look the same?

Some people just prefer the different look. These utility kilts started as a bit of a counter-culture thing up in the Pacific Northwest (USA), the same region that brought the world "grunge" music. It was not intended to be related to the Scottish kilt, but rather a unique American invention. So for some people, it's not that they're considering this alongside a traditional tartan kilt. It's a wholly different garment, worn for different reasons.

I do own a Utilikilt, purchased about 13 years ago out of curiosity. I must say it has some advantages in environments where a more traditional cloth simply wouldn't do. For me, that is hiking in the thorny Texas Hill Country where cactus, mesquite, and various other plants along the trails would snag and tear a softer woven cloth. The Utilikilt is made from a canvas material that is much more durable. And with pockets and such, it of course is very handy for toting items that would be uncomfortable when worn in a sporran for this kind of activity.

That said, I own many traditional kilts and prefer them for nearly every sort of activity. But utility kilts do have a following as more of a hard-wearing sort of kilt. Some see it like the difference between blue jeans and slacks.

[Iain Ruaidh]

I should add that I have never seeon one being worn here in Scotland, so I am guesing it is 'another culture' thing at play here.

I saw one at the Corby Highland Gathering this year. Just one.
(And it wasn't me...)

[Jock Scot]

I have seen other posts like this one, showing pictures of this kind of garment - usually described as a utility kilt or the like.

Viewed from here in Scotland (through now aged and rather traditionally-focused eyes) I find myself perplexed. And my recurring response is 'But why..?'

I should add that I have never seeon one being worn here in Scotland, so I am guesing it is 'another culture' thing at play here.

There must be something fundamental in the idea and appeal of these so-called kilts, but what is the attraction or preference over a real kilt - and you all know very well what I mean by that!

Please do not misunderstand me. This is a genuine request for information and enlightenment.

Why would a man prefer a garment of this kind over a properly-made kilt in wool, or even synthetic materials that look the same?

The only reason I can imagine, is that they appeal to men who don't like tartan - but surely the tweed or hodden-grey kilts answer for that. The cut and wearing style makes me think they must be uncomfortable and awkward compared to a traditional kilt.

Is cost the issue?

But, to me, who often sees kilts of superior quality and excellent condition (I mean the eight-yarder in heavyweight wool) for sale in charity shops for £20-£40 (and sometimes much less) that cannot be the reason either.

If there is a definitive answer, or a check-list of preferences I am unaware of, could someone kindly help clear my bewilderment.

Before I get bombarded with 'Choice..!' responses, which I understand of course, I would like to know and understand why the preference, not just that there is one.

I have been perplexed by this same subject ever since I joined this website umpteen years ago. I have yet to receive an answer that I honestly comprehend. I await with interest for answers to your tactful post above. I think that I have only seen three of this type of garment in the wild, here in Scotland.

From long experience, this thread could head downhill pretty quickly, but honest and courteous explanations would be appreciated.

[OC Richard]

...posts showing pictures of this kind of garment usually described as a utility kilt or the like.

I have never seeon one being worn here in Scotland, so I am guessing it is 'another culture' thing.

Yes indeed they are an "another culture" thing.

A guy in Seattle invented them and dubbed them "Utilikilts". His are the original, all others are copies, or copies of copies.

His intent from the beginning was to create a new "fashion culture" and from the start his models wore Utilikilts with high Doc Marten boots, scrunched down socks, t-shirts (usually black, with the logos of local Seattle punk bands etc), trendy hair, and plenty of tattoos and piercings.



He was absolutely clear from the get-go that Utilikilts were not kilts and had nothing whatever to do with Scotland or Highland Dress. From the start he was bombarded with requests for tartan Utilikilts and he has repeatedly stated that he will never make one in tartan. Hawai'ian fabric yes! Camouflage fabric yes! Leather yes! But never tartan.

Utilikilts quickly became quite popular in their birthplace, The Pacific Northwest, which is well-known for its quirky fashion cultures.

The strange thing is that, despite the clear intent of the inventor, Utilikilts were quickly embraced by the local "Scottish community" and within a decade of their creation had, at our local Highland Games, become as popular than kilts with Clan Society members (who one would think would want to wear their Clan tartans), general attendees, and even the Renaissance Faire people (who one would think wouldn't be wearing a recently invented garment).

People started wearing them as part of Highland Dress, with sporrans and kilt hose and even Prince Charlie coatees, which was diametrically opposed to the intent of the inventor.

Where Utilikilts have not got any traction was with the Pipe Band community. Yes this community generally expresses dislike for being required to perform in Highland Dress, but on the other hand they're traditionalists, and have turned up their noses at every sort of "casual kilt" and "sport kilt" and Utilikilt that's come down the pike. They insist on full-yardage traditional hand-stitched wool kilts.

[makfromtazz]

I have seen other posts like this one, showing pictures of this kind of garment - usually described as a utility kilt or the like.

Viewed from here in Scotland (through now aged and rather traditionally-focused eyes) I find myself perplexed. And my recurring response is 'But why..?'

I should add that I have never seeon one being worn here in Scotland, so I am guesing it is 'another culture' thing at play here.

There must be something fundamental in the idea and appeal of these so-called kilts, but what is the attraction or preference over a real kilt - and you all know very well what I mean by that!

Please do not misunderstand me. This is a genuine request for information and enlightenment.

Why would a man prefer a garment of this kind over a properly-made kilt in wool, or even synthetic materials that look the same?

The only reason I can imagine, is that they appeal to men who don't like tartan - but surely the tweed or hodden-grey kilts answer for that. The cut and wearing style makes me think they must be uncomfortable and awkward compared to a traditional kilt.

Is cost the issue?

But, to me, who often sees kilts of superior quality and excellent condition (I mean the eight-yarder in heavyweight wool) for sale in charity shops for £20-£40 (and sometimes much less) that cannot be the reason either.

If there is a definitive answer, or a check-list of preferences I am unaware of, could someone kindly help clear my bewilderment.

Before I get bombarded with 'Choice..!' responses, which I understand of course, I would like to know and understand why the preference, not just that there is one.

With great respect I disagree with a lot of your comment but in the same way I also respect you have a different view ..Your opinion is how you see it and you are quite entitled to express that.

I do not own a single 8 yard wool kilt . They absolutely look great but I personally cannot see myself wearing one . In fact if I had to be confined to one that'd be the end of kilts for me . That'd be really sad .

I own a few 5 yard traditional looking kilts though and because they are much lighter and easier to wear wool blend and other material . And then there are my utility kilts including ones I bought specifically for bushwalking and hiking .. These are wash and wear , very practical , fun and shorter .

So ...The original Great Kilt as I understand was in fact a garment for men with multi purposes in mind at the time and are fascinating ...Then it evolved over time into the modern kilt that we think of as probably traditional kilts ..
Once again though time never stops and like most things not least fashion never stops .. Over the past few decades the utility , leather , hybrid kilts have come along . I love that . It gives the wearer true individuality and perhaps a reason to try a kilt . That is exactly me .. Even with both sides of my family having Scottish and Irish ancestry I am not likely to have chosen kilts without the options we now have ..

Again , I respect your choice so too with anybody with a different take on a wonderful male garment . I even wear certain kilts to 20.5 to 21 " . I guess that would horrify some but I actually find them fit for purpose (hiking) but I also wear many at 24" too for the same exact reason ..Fit for purpose .. Kilt police can mind their own business on that .