UT Kilts: A Review

[Emills]

To all who shall see the presents, greetings!

I've been milling about smartly here on the forums for some time now, and finally took the plunge on my first kilt, a UT Kilts Standard. While I'd love to put a little coin in the pockets of Rocky or Steve, or one of the other fine kiltmakers here, and I'm sure in time I will, I figured UT would be a good route to go to dip my toes in the pool, so to speak. What follows is a (probably log winded) review about the kilt, geared toward the those of us new to the kilt world, or those on the fence about what kilt may be their first. I've seen some reviews elsewhere that were mixed, so I'll do my best to be as objective as possible.

ORDERING

Easy peasy, $65 through Amazon with Prime shipping. Arrived on time and without incident.

INITIAL "UNBOXING"

I'm not sure what I was expecting exactly, but it was heavier than I initially expected. The material was a 10 oz cotton drill, in dark khaki. It wasn't as dark as the photos depicted, it's the Carhartt brown with which we are all familiar. The fabric was a little stiff, a heavier duty version of a "Dockers-style" business casual trouser.

Workmanship appeared to be good, the reverse Kingussie style pleats are bartacked at their junction with the fell, and the knife edge of the pleats are sewn down along both the visible and hidden edges. Snaps and straps are sturdy and securely attached. Being new, the snaps a fairly stiff, requiring both hands to open the attached pockets. I'm wagering that will relieve itself over time. The only item of note I've found so far, is the grommets on the straps are backed by plastic as opposed to metal. I'll be keeping and eye on them for excessive wear or failure.

INITIAL FIT

A touch on the big side, but that was expected, I ordered the size just larger than my true waist size. Just a little pucker with a belt on. (Note to fellow newbies: It is important to use an actual physical measurement as opposed to your trouser size.) The 23" drop ended up being just right for me, putting the top edge of the waistband right at the navel.

The kilt went through a quick wash cycle in cold water, then about 10 minutes in the dryer on low heat. I became a little concerned when I pulled it out of the dryer and it was nearly dry, damp only where the pockets attach, and along the waistband. the fabric softened up some, and I expect it will continue to do so throughout its life.

After a press (no easy feat for a new guy like me), and removing the Irish pennants, I tried it on again. While it had indeed shrunk a little, there's still plenty of room for a thick henley in the winter, plus whatever else I may carry in my waistband day to day.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

I haven't had occasion to speak with Brice at UT, or avail myself of his customer service skills, so I can not speak either way on the topic. Amazon, as usual, provided prompt shipping, and

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Overall, I am satisfied with my purchase. This is a mass-produced garment manufactured overseas, not a North American or UK-produced custom item. Much like any other item of clothing, some stuff you buy for good use, and others you buy for casual wear, and are not especially concerned if you end up wearing it in an environment in which it may not come out the other side in pristine condition. This kilt would fall into the latter category. This is a good kilt to introduce yourself to the world of the pants with one leg hole, much like a pair of cargo shorts, or some other garment for casual wear. For more formal/dressier/stuffier occasions, your best bet would be something else, in my opinion.

PROS

Comfortable
Sturdily built
Affordable

CONS

Until the fabric is broken in, keeping it wrinkle-free will take some effort.
Probably not the kilt to wear in the Regimental fashion until the fabric softens up some.
The potential exists for a failure of the one or more of the grommets in the waist/hip straps because of the plastic grommet back.

I hope this helps those of you that may have been considering a UT Kilt. If anyone has questions about anything I didn't cover, please feel free to ask.

[Woodsman]

Any photos?

[Couper]

Very nice review. I have the very same kilt (model and color) and your review is spot on. I've had mine over a year and wear it whenever I am at our "city" house. I live at the Delaware beach most of the time but we still have a home in Baltimore - and I keep a couple of kilts there. My wife always compliments it, whenever I wear it, with a simple, "I really like that kilt."

I also have an olive color UT Kilt and one in black denim. It is a bit different because of the fabric but I like it. It shrunk "vertically" the first time I washed it and it is a bit "stretchy" in the vertical dimension. The slightly shrunken length is good for me - because I am not tall and the kilt now sits exactly at the top of my kneecap.

I am toying with the idea of ordering the white color but I'm not sure I would get much use out of it. White is not a "normal" color for utility garb. Or is it?

I just came in from three hours of yard work. I am wearing a utility kilt, of course. However, today I am wearing my AmeriKilt. This evening I plan to be at a local pub - and will likely wear my USA Kilts casual in American Heritage tartan. This stuff does, indeed, become addicting.

[Tarheel]

Good review indeed. My wife has a trick with shape/size/softness issues in new clothes. She believes in cool-tumble dry with dryer sheets for five minutes. I don't know how the pleats will handle the tumble but the fabric will not be stiff for much longer. Glad to hear that you are having a good first kilting experience.

[Marine2141]

I have a standard II from UTkilts...I like it for what it is - a knock-about garment that I can wear when I want to wear a kilt while I am doing something particularly dirty. The fit is pretty good..but my biggest complaint is the fabric..that stuff wrinkles like crazy..similar to camouflage uniforms I wore while on active duty in the early 90's. When I wash it, I hang it up to dry and use clothespins to keep the pleats straight. After it dries, the pleats look great, but after a day of wear, the pleats look like hell. I'd like another utility style kilt, but am hesitant to go back to UT kilts.

[Emills]

I'll see about getting some photos up here in the next day or two. Had my first outing in it today, and it was completely unremarkable. I had to visit the store on my way into work this morning, and got one look from one of their vendors that said, "Yep, dude, I dig it, ". Aside from that, not a comment, or a look askance. It surprises me a little, only in that I live in rural Kansas, home of some of the most conservative folks around.

I did notice that the fabric is still stiff enough to 'buckle' or fold just a little but below the waistline, but I'm guessing that will remedy itself with a few washes.

[harmon]

I have the deluxe black from UT Kilts. It's a great product. I agree about the plastic grommets on the straps. As for customer service.. I had one of the snaps pull out of the front apron. I emailed Brice, explained what happened, and a couple of days later I had a package in the mail with enough snaps to replace over half of them. So I would definetly buy more from UT kilts. He stands by the product. Congrats on the new kilt by the way.

[tundramanq]

Regarding the tight snaps. I am assuming these use the heavy duty #24 snaps like the Utilikilts.
If a snap is excessively hard to open or close, rub a candle around the male side leaving some paraffin on it and try it.
I should work a lot easier and is cool wash and hang dry resistant.
This is a big issue as stubborn snaps lead to it ripping out of the fabric. On the top apron there is no way to hide the ripped fabric repair.

If after the snap lubrication it is still too stiff, replace one or both halves. If they were "set" too hard it deforms the mating parts. Removing the old ones is easy. gently drill off just the rollover brad made with the setter with a 1/4 inch bit. The halves should come right off the fabric. I usually place my work on a rubber pad so the base or cap of the snap doesn't turn while I am trying to drill the bradded end.

Even with Utilikilts, I have had the tight snap issue. Most times the paraffin lube bit cures it forever. But about 3 of my 48 Utilikilts required the problem snap replacement routine.

[mikepalmer]

I have 2 of the UT Kilts, 1 is the 100% cotton and the other is a cotton blend, however both wrinkle as described. A kick around kilt for sure and likely good for most guys who do not often wear them. I started with them then graduated to a Stumptown (my kick around Kilt) and have Utilikilts for normal wear. Cant beat the UT Service with Bryce. He is great!

[AdamBogle]

My one and only kilt for the present is a black deluxe utility kilt from Bryce and I will be getting more once I decide which tartan Kilt to pick up next. His customer service is second to none!