UT Kilts

[LPF]

Thanks for your input, it seems everything is made in Pakistan

[RockyR]

Thanks for your input, it seems everything is made in Pakistan

Not EVERYTHING. If you know what companies to look at, you'll see that most quality goods are made in the UK / USA / Canada.

[LPF]

I appologize, no not everything is from Pakistan, but I seem to be having a hard time finding affordable ($100.00) Utility Kilts that are made in Canada or the US. It seems almost everything listed on Ebay is from Pakistan & then they have a drop of 24" no good for me. When you do find a North American supplier as mentioned above their goods come from Pakistan. I'll just have to hope I can find something at the upcoming games in Maxville Ontario.

[The Wizard of BC]

There is a very valid reasons that you will not find a $100.00 utility style kilt made in N. America.

I'm sorry, but a kilt is not a pair of blue jeans.

The last time I visited the Levi Strauss factory in El Paso, TX was 1991. I found that each pair of jeans actually cost only $3.92 to make. The fabric is woven and dyed overseas, and shipped to El Paso by the entire container load. On average 155,000 yards per container.
The pieces for the jeans are cut out with a vertical power saw through 150 layers of fabric at a time.
Each person on the assembly line has only one job. For example, sewing the outside left leg seam. They sew this one same seam over and over. They then throw the jeans into the next basket for the next sewer to sew the opposite leg seam. They have quotas on how many seams they must sew each hour just as those on an automobile assembly line must work at the same speed as the line is moving.
The sewing machines they use, and in fact almost every machine in the factory, is made overseas and is specifically designed to do only one single operation. That double lock stitch down the outside of your jeans requires a specifically designed machine. It does that one stitch and nothing else. The same is true for the machine that makes that one waistband button hole and the machine that attaches that one button.


A Kilt is not a pair of blue jeans. It is not a bunch of pieces cut out with patterns and sewn along the dotted lines. It is a very complex garment. In fact a traditionally made kilt is the second most complex garment in the world next to a man's custom made suit coat.
There have been companies that have attempted to make kilts like jeans are made. Not one has survived or been able to make a kilt for the same cost as a pair of jeans.

I make kilts in what some would probably call the utility style simply because they are available in solid colored fabrics, but in fact they are not. Each one is custom made to the customers’ exact measurements and specifications.
I would challenge you to find a pair of blue jeans with any customization available. Customization is simply not possible on an assembly line. About the only thing you can do to make your pair of jeans different from the 1,000,000 other pairs is buy a “Be-Dazzlier”.

I pay those who work for me a decent N. American working wage. They can feed and support their families, perhaps not in luxury, but enough to enjoy life. That same level of lifestyle in Pakistan can be had for pennies an hour.

I would submit to any and all who bemoan the lack of a $100.00 N. American kilt to go ahead and attempt to produce one themselves.

I would caution however to be ready for a disappointment. Contrary to what some would like to believe the masses will not be knocking down your door to buy your product. The kilt is just not a mainstream garment. I don’t see it becoming one in the near future. In fact, if it were to gain a mainstream acceptance I think most of us here would no long be interested in them. One of the reasons we wear kilts is because they are not ‘normal’ and ‘average’.

I would also advise that the only way to succeed at getting the price down to the price of a pair of jeans is to find someone who will sign a contract to sell 15,000 to 20,000 kilt each and every month for the next 5 years. This will enable you to purchase the machinery you will need and to contract for bulk fabric deliveries.
Then there is the workforce problem. Expect to burn up at least one to two weeks training each employee. There are very few kiltmakers out there who know how to make a utility style kilt so you will have to teach those who apply for your jobs.
Finding someone willing to work in assembly line conditions is very difficult in N. America. The Auto industry is one very good example of how difficult it is to pay workers to do that type of work.

If I have now, in some small way, given you a little insight into the behind the scenes of our business, perhaps you can now understand why you cannot find a N. American made utility kilt for $100.00.

[ThistleDown]

I have a UT kilt. It was a gift and I prize it for its giver and her intent, but I wear it to mow the lawn, tear out bracken and muck out the birds. It has stood up well for two years or so of that kind of use; it isn't a pretty kilt now and it wasn't when it was new. I have a UK Workman I have worn only once because it was the most uncomfortable thing I have ever wrapped myself in. I have two Freedom kilts I wear to the pub, to picnics, to family gatherings and about the place because I can completely relax in them and know they look as good as they feel. The issue is not where the garment is made, however -- as some insist on repeating ad nauseum -- but entirely about the quality of its manufacture. A 75-dollar UT is equal to a 10-dollar pair of shorts, no matter where assembled.

[RockyR]

I am NOT disagreeing with Steve as he brings up many valid points, especially about bedazzling your kilt... that would be FABULOUS. But I digress...

While there are dozens (hundreds?) of companies selling the same Pakistani made Utility kilts under $100, there are at least 2 kilt companies I know that do produce Utility style kilts in that same price point

2 Utility kilts that ARE made in North America in the $100 price point:

www.rkilts.com - ask Robert for his "off the rack" kilt. Made in Stratford, Ontario. (he's also an advertiser here, so you'd be supporting the forum)

www.amerikilt.com - ALL of Mike's kilts are made in the USA and he markets that on his site. http://www.amerikilt.com/about-us/

[seanachie]

FWIW, I knew Bryce when he was just making sporrans before he started UT Kilts. Though we have not corresponded in awhile I know him to be a reputable and good person. I do not know what his current status is but he was teaching school and trying to support his family and the business helped with that. I consider that pretty admirable.

Robert Pel, is another person you can not go wrong with. He is a gentleman, has a great sense of humor and makes a wonderful product. One thing to consider, is how long do you expect the kilt to last? The hemp RKilts are extremely well made. So if you elect to go with a cheaper kilt, will it wear out on you sooner and ultimately you will wind up paying almost the same? All good questions. I just wore my hemp RKilt to work. Something you may wish to read from his blog: http://www.rkilts.com/blog/index.php.../a-comparison/

[Canuck]

I appologize, no not everything is from Pakistan, but I seem to be having a hard time finding affordable ($100.00) Utility Kilts that are made in Canada or the US. It seems almost everything listed on Ebay is from Pakistan & then they have a drop of 24" no good for me. When you do find a North American supplier as mentioned above their goods come from Pakistan. I'll just have to hope I can find something at the upcoming games in Maxville Ontario.

I will be at Maxville this year. I may have some of my off the rack kilts that I sell for under $100 (I have three shows before then so I'm not sure what I will have left). I make them here in Stratford Ontario. I have worked out a system to be able to offer them for this price. I have a number of sewing machines and each one is set up for an operation. Also mass producing pockets, belt loops and waist bands speeds up the process and allows me to keep the costs down.
Stop by the booth at Maxville,

[RyanMac]

I firmly believe that you get what you pay for. I purchased an "off brand" Utili-style kilt from a vendor at a booth during the GFMHG last week. My sister, purchased a Utilikilt. I paid $69, she paid $200. Hers will probably last longer, and I personally think it looks better, but I got into a modern kilt that I can wear out and about without worrying about stains and picks on my expensive tartan kilt for a cheap price. I don't expect much out of it, but didn't have much spare money to play with. I will upgrade when the funds allow. Point of all this is to say that buying a cheap modern kilt should be done so without expecting the same quality in the fit, fabric, and durability of those listed above (and elsewhere) for more money.

[cryptoman]

If 5.11 tacticals is able to produce a high quality product in this price range with pakistani or chinese labour than the pakistans indeed are able to do so. Quality is free, if ya construct and produce a product properly, you save money afterwards. Quality is also meeting the purpose. Okay the Utilikilt might be well made with a wide product range + options and slash pokets are a tat expensive but they are a small business with smaller production batches than e. g. UK Expo and they still sell of the peg kilts. Less options mean larger batches and lower production costs. I am perfectly fine with 23" hem length. So please calm down kilt snobs.