Kilt Review - new Midas Leisure Kilt

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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.