Contemporary Tartan Cargo... You know you want one!!

[SFCRick]

No, no, I do not.

[ccga3359]

Grant. I'm just dipping my toes in the water and I bow to your experience with modern kilts which is considerably greater than mine. I understand that you are committed to one style (traditional Scottish) OR the other (contemporary) rather than a hybrid mash-up, but this is precisely why I think this Kilt is such a breakthrough. It DOES look like a traditional Kilt at first glance. It is great and innovative styling to combine contemporary features with traditional materials. I think it's a superb piece of work though I do appreciate the complexities of production. Unfortunately this probably puts it out of the reach of most Kilt buyers and means it will likely remain unique.

I'll bet Hamish would like one!

Then this exercise in modernizing a traditional kilt is successful. It's certainly generating a lot of buzz. For me the evolution of traditional kilts is Steve Ashton's hidden front slash pockets on a traditional style tartan built kilt. Machine stitching and PV are other important evolutions. The reasons for me liking modern kilts are that (not the machine stitched PV variety) is that they are (to steal the tag from RKilts themselves) based on tradition and built for today. They share visual clues from traditional kilts but the materials used beit hemp, leather or canvas ensure that they're not mistaken as anything but modern. They are rugged, throw on the floor, chuck in the washing machine durable sort've thing. I abuse my kilts, I work in them, live in them. I jam tools and screw in the pockets when working on construction jobs. Crawl under the car? Hell why not, scare the neighbours dog, I don't care ecause the tool I need to tighten my exhaust is right there in my pocket. With the above kilt I wouldn't be straddling joists or dragging my butt across ashphalt because of the very nature of the material. I know Robert's craftsmanship would hold up but not the material itself.

I like the differences between the two styles (or era's if you will). I can wear a modern kilt, with a tee shirt and not worry too much aout getting it dirty or catching a nail. I also like the traditional kilts for which, when I wear it I'll dress apropriately, more traditional, even though as an Englishman I can't be "traditional". So much so that Jock Scot would say "There's a well dressed young man, now fetch my loader I'm going to pretend he's a grouse".

If this gets your gears churning for the foray into "modern" kilts go for it. I'll still share a pint with you down at the local. I can assure you that if you want one it doesn't take too much to twist Robert's arm.

[Jock Scot]

Oh come on GRANT! You know full well that I would shoot at you regardless of what you were wearing! And, AND, no! I would not mistake you for a grouse!

[Elf]

First cargo style kilt that I've seen that I actually like. I wonder though, if a complementing solid cargo pocket might look good on a tartan cargo kilt.

Rondo

I was thinking the same thing. Having some experience with pocketless trousers in historical re-enactment as well, I am well accustomed to pouches hung from belts and baldrics. The sporran is in itself one of these. If one would examine old military prints, there are many more in evidence with kilts. This all leads me to thinking more cargo capacity in plain pockets (possibly hung from the belt) for a tartan kilt would be easy on the eye.

[English Bloke]

Jock, I take your point. Mistaken for a traditional Kilt in your neck of the woods definitely not ... And in most other places probably not.

In retrospect that's not exactly what I meant and my post was badly phrased.

I think Tobus has worded what I intended to convey better than I did.

.... It retains a strong sense of traditional styling and form...

Certainly a more traditional feel than these other RKilts products.


Hemp


Leather

But you are right, it's not a traditional Kilt.

Don't get me wrong, I have no aversion to modern Kilts, I like them and I've even got one in my collection. I just don't have the bottle to wear it much.
Because:
a) They come over as a young man's garment and I don't feel I fit that bill.
b) They are so radically different to traditional kilts.
c) My wife is not keen.

I've seen a number of Utility type Kilts out and about on other folks and I think they look fine (on them).

I think this tartan variant has mileage, in that it is a bridge between the two...

I still think it's ace!

[Alan H]

Then this exercise in modernizing a traditional kilt is successful. It's certainly generating a lot of buzz. For me the evolution of traditional kilts is Steve Ashton's hidden front slash pockets on a traditional style tartan built kilt. Machine stitching and PV are other important evolutions. The reasons for me liking modern kilts are that (not the machine stitched PV variety) is that they are (to steal the tag from RKilts themselves) based on tradition and built for today. They share visual clues from traditional kilts but the materials used beit hemp, leather or canvas ensure that they're not mistaken as anything but modern. They are rugged, throw on the floor, chuck in the washing machine durable sort've thing. I abuse my kilts, I work in them, live in them. I jam tools and screw in the pockets when working on construction jobs. Crawl under the car? Hell why not, scare the neighbours dog, I don't care ecause the tool I need to tighten my exhaust is right there in my pocket. With the above kilt I wouldn't be straddling joists or dragging my butt across ashphalt because of the very nature of the material. I know Robert's craftsmanship would hold up but not the material itself.

I like the differences between the two styles (or era's if you will). I can wear a modern kilt, with a tee shirt and not worry too much aout getting it dirty or catching a nail. I also like the traditional kilts for which, when I wear it I'll dress apropriately, more traditional, even though as an Englishman I can't be "traditional". So much so that Jock Scot would say "There's a well dressed young man, now fetch my loader I'm going to pretend he's a grouse".

If this gets your gears churning for the foray into "modern" kilts go for it. I'll still share a pint with you down at the local. I can assure you that if you want one it doesn't take too much to twist Robert's arm.

I am stunned by Grants degree of articulation! Well said! I also agree with English Bloke...it's Ace!

Now....

While I am certain that the workmanship is probably first rate, and the general execution is flawless, I happen to agree with Grant....PERSONALLY I wouldn't wear this. Not that I have a problem with cargo pockets on a contemporary kilt, they're completely fine and man are they practical, it's just that I like the look on a camouflage or solid color kilt. Also, PERSONALLY, I prefer slash pockets to cargo, on a kilt.

But that's just me, and my personal preferences. I salute Robert for taking a chance and trying something new, and I have no doubt that he executed it admirably.

[Father Bill]

I don't think it's my thing - of course, I'm still a traditionalist. I like the idea of hidden pockets, but not this variation. My first visual response was that it was a traditional kilt with some major damage.

[Tobus]

Also, PERSONALLY, I prefer slash pockets to cargo, on a kilt.

If trying to make a kilt be functional but look as traditional as possible, I absolutely agree.

But one thing about slash pockets is that anything you put in there will be lumpy. We're used to seeing it with trousers, where a billfold or set of keys or cell phone makes a lump in the pocket area. But on a kilt it would look just weird. And would totally mess up the clean lines of a kilt, IMHO. So while slash pockets would be somewhat useful, I think they have pretty big limitations on what you can actually use them for. If carrying more bulky items that will make a lump, an external pocket seems to be the lesser of the two evils. It won't mess up the fit or shape of the kilt itself.

[Canuck]

If trying to make a kilt be functional but look as traditional as possible, I absolutely agree.

But one thing about slash pockets is that anything you put in there will be lumpy. ....snip

From my experience and I'm sure Steve of Freedom kilts would pipe in that slash pockets on a kilt doesn't show the contents the same way trousers do. The kilt flairs away from the leg whilst trousers of course cling. The slash pocket on the right side has the over apron covering it. You might notice the bulk when one sits down, but I really haven't noticed it much in the kilts I construct.
I recognize your concern

[kc8ufv]

If trying to make a kilt be functional but look as traditional as possible, I absolutely agree.

But one thing about slash pockets is that anything you put in there will be lumpy. We're used to seeing it with trousers, where a billfold or set of keys or cell phone makes a lump in the pocket area. But on a kilt it would look just weird. And would totally mess up the clean lines of a kilt, IMHO. So while slash pockets would be somewhat useful, I think they have pretty big limitations on what you can actually use them for. If carrying more bulky items that will make a lump, an external pocket seems to be the lesser of the two evils. It won't mess up the fit or shape of the kilt itself.

Slash pockets also can be somewhat uncomfortable for the wearer. Sure, when I wear trousers, I'm used to the items staying in place, and held to my body. When I wear my UK Mocker, the slash pockets are looser, things move around, and. depending on what is in the pockets, sometimes pokes me. (My epipen holder tends to be one of the biggest offenders for the last bit). If I have something even as heavy as a cell phone in my pocket, when walking, it can shake around and beat me in the leg. Cargo pockets, on the other hand, tend to just hang there off to the side, and cause no trouble.