Looking for a "work" kilt

[Leprechaun 91]

Hi gang. I haven't posted in a while but am keeping the tradition alive.

Okay... So i am looking for a good rugged work kilt suitable for construction. I am part of the grounds committee at my local games and will be spending nearly two weeks in the thick of set-up and tear-down. I really want to kilt up for much of this but my tartan kilts simply won't do. Looking for a good balance between durability, swing, wrinkle-resistance, ( I want to have it for an office kilt too) and budget.

Ready.... Set.... Discuss!

[Theyoungkiltman]

Welcome back! I think a x-kilt would be right for you, and you can make it in everything from dropcloth to cordura!

[Sir Didymous]

I know that Heritage of Scotland isn't the first pick around here, but I have found their PV kilts to hold up pretty well. I work in a distribution center hand loading trailers and have worn mine to work there. I also occasionally rapier fence and broadsword fight in them. The price is fair and they go on sale a lot. I have also heard good things about USAkilts' casual line. Of course there is also the various utili-kilts, but I feel those would look a bit off in an office setting.

[ratspike]

I know canvas is considered to be the choice for work kilts, but I'd say look for poly/cotton twill instead. It's lighter, dries faster, it's super durable, resists wrinkles, and makes a nicer kilt IMO. A lot of the toughness in how a kilt like this looks is how it's designed and sewn rather than the fabric. I'd look for something made to measure as well. Having something made to fit *you* is pretty awesome.

Price--wise, expect it to start around $175, give or take, for a proper custom made kilt with cargo pockets. Check out Alt Kilt, which is linked up at the top of the page. Box pleats only, made here in the US.

If you want to do off the rack you can go with Utilikilts, but since wrinkle resistance is a plus you'd want to look at The Original, which runs $215. Made in the US of course.

Stumptown Kilts is another off the rack option if you like box pleats. They're also linked at the top of the page. I think they're like $175 but always seem to be on sale. I have one and it's cool to look at but IMO it has a serious flaw in the construction unless the design has changed. The pleats are all cut out on the inside, with nothing put back in to give the kilt any structure or support. Not cool at all, and I'd never have bought mine if I realized it was made this way. It's not clear where the kilts are actually sewn, if that matters to you.

At the bottom of the list are the many utility style kilts from Pakistan. If you're locked in at under a hundie, this is where you're at. Fit and finish appears to range from okay to pretty bad. Can't say how rugged one of these will be but if they're sewn halfway well, probably not bad. UT Kilts, Got Kilt, and Tactikilt are all reselling the same stuff and seem to have a pretty decent rep.

Good luck!

[The Wizard of BC]

If I can add some input from my 12 years of making solid colored kilts.

When you say 'work kilt' most people have this vision of a Utilikilt. The big wide pleats that curl and big floppy cargo pockets full of tools come to mind.

But then you also said you want to wear this same kilt to the office. That is a whole different style and/or type of kilt.

The amount of swish to the pleats will depend on the type and amount of fabric used. The more fabric the better the swish is a good rule of thumb. For example a Utilikilt will use about 2 yards of fabric while a traditional looking kilt will use about 8 yards.

In general work kilts have wider pleats and dresser looking kilts will have narrower pleats.

If you want to avoid wrinkles avoid 100% cotton fabrics. Especially like the duck canvas used in Carhardt. It wrinkles just by looking at it.
Some of the most wrinkle free solid colored fabrics will be a Polyester/Cotton blend similar to that found in 'Dockers' brand trousers.

If you want a Tartan kilt there is only one fabric that I use to fit your criteria. The Polyester/Rayon blends offered by Marton Mills. Machine washable and the cost is low enough to keep within most budgets.

To keep within your criteria I would avoid a custom made kilt. Off the rack is very suitable for what you are saying you want. You don't need perfect fit when mucking about.

If I may - These two kilts -


And this one -

Are made exactly the same way.
The only difference is the fabric.

If your kiltmaker can add a couple of tool pockets that are detachable all the better.



Throw this one into the washer after a hard day and you are set for an evening out to the movies.

[Tobus]

Of course there is also the various utili-kilts, but I feel those would look a bit off in an office setting.

Depends on the office, surely. I rather tend to think that kilts, regardless of their construction, are probably going to be unusual in any office.

The real question here is what would you be wearing if you had to wear trousers instead of a kilt? Something that works in the field as well as in the office. My guess would be blue jeans or some sort of cargo pants or carpenter pants. What is the kilt equivalent?

[tundramanq]

I have a lot of Utilikilts and USA Casuals. What influences my decision as to which to wear.

How dressy - The casuals are more dressy.
Will the work involve greasy or oily things ( even cooking) - synthetics bond with the oils and do not wash out. Here I would choose 100% cotton ( Workman $ or Survival $$ ) But dark tartan does a better job of disguising the spots than solid color fabrics. I Know!
Will a sporran be in the way in carrying things and I would need pockets for my "stuff".

I really think two kilts are needed - nice for clean work and a durable beater for the rough messy stuff.

[ratspike]

I thought I should clarify why I suggested looking at something custom made, and it's simply a matter of price. I'm assuming a solid color fabric and that you're buying new.

A Utilikilt Original is $215. Stumptown Kilts are $185. You choose the waist size and one of several length choices.

For comparable money you can have a kilt made to your measurements.
An Alt Kilt Classic with cargo pockets is $175, cotton or poly/cotton. Her custom builds with loads of options start at $175.
A Freedom Kilts Cargo with two cargo pockets would be something like $225, assuming I did the currency math correctly.

Being able to talk about what you want and need from your kilt, with the person who's going to actually make it, is pretty awesome. I think that's especially helpful in this case since you're hoping to pull double duty with this kilt. The only downside is the wait time, inevitable when you're having something made by a small shop, but if that's not a deal breaker for you then IMO custom is worth considering.

[scottmphoto]

I'll throw my two cents in for one from UT Kilts (www.utkilts.com ). I have two of their modern utility kilts and I love them. They can not be beat for the price. I'm active in the Boy Scout program and wear mine on all kinds of outdoor activities. Recently, our troop was working on my son's Eagle Scout project and we were replacing some benches, clearing trails and picking up trash at a local park. At the end of the day, I was covered in sweat, dirt and concrete dust. I got home and threw my kilt in the washing machine. Washed and dried it (in the dryer) and, after ironing the pleats, it was ready for the next day. I got my first UT Kilt from their sale bin and loved it so much, I bought another for full price. When I ordered it online, I had it at my door about two days later. Depending on which model you buy and what options you get, for just over $50 USD, it can NOT be beat.

[Stitchwiz]

If you have any synthetic fabrics and you get an oil-based stain, grab the liquid dish soap and apply it directly to the stain. The soap has a surfactant in it which will start to lift the oil immediately. Dawn is used to clean oil from our feathered and furry friends when there has been an oil spill. It is the most environmentally friendly soap - we use it for camping/boating.
Let it sit for a little while, put a bit of laundry soap on top of the dish soap, gently rub it in with your fingers and wash as usual.

If you aren't sure if the stain came out, do not put it in the dryer - the heat will set the stain.

If you have the luxury of time, let it drip-dry and you will see if it came out. If time is tight, pour a little laundry detergent on the stain again and rewash it. Then dry it until it is almost all the way dry - You should just feel a little bit of dampness. Take it out of the dryer, give it a snapping shake to get rid of the soft wrinkles, hang up your kilt and use your hands to flatten the pleats. The weight will help pleats hang straight & it will look almost as good as if you ironed it. It will be ready to wear in the morning.

Good luck finding what you need!