Kilts and guts...

[Shay]

If I can interject- one of the reasons I like modern kilts is that I think they hew more to the actual aspect of kiltwearing- durability, comfort, and everyday wear. I don't think the average guy in Scotland, Wales, or elsewhere would wear a beautiful, handwoven, perfectly pleated and tailored tartan to mind his sheep any more than I think that a dude would dig a trench in a tuxedo! This was a time when shoes didn't have assigned feet so you could wear them out in several places before having to replace them, you know? Not a lot of ordinary people would be able to afford the money or time to weaving a tartan when other materials were more practical and could be used for more than one clothing item.

I'm reasonably sure that most everyday kilts (well, ur-kilts, I'll get to that in a second) were broadcloth or some other easy-wash fabric, after all, there weren't stadium chairs, spray-on stain removers, and paved roads back then, and for that matter, any real tailoring. The very nice pleated and set traditional kilts I see today were probably reserved for those rich enough to employ someone to weave, cut, sew, and maintain the kilts for them- which wouldn't be many. That's reflected today in the price- and well it should be for the material and the care going into the history, but I doubt many of us are actually noblemen. (I know I'm not, anyway- I fail on both counts!)

I'm not saying that traditional kilts aren't handsome, I'm just saying that 'modern' kilts might actually be more traditional than 'traditional' kilts!

[mkmound]

. . .
I LIKE the pockets on the contemporary kilts...I do a lot of sitting at work and sporrans seem sort of in the way for that.

Ron

I also do a lot of sitting at work, and I find it more comfortable to shift the sporran to the side to rest on top of one thigh instead of in the middle. I usually do that while driving also.


On the topic of Blu's question -- interesting topic -- I have mostly tended to dress with a more traditional, "classics" approach, e.g., khakis and a button-down or polo shirt when we shifted to business casual at work several years ago, vs. trendier and more stylish options. A major reason was that I've never really had the disposable income to buy the newer fashions each year, and the "classics" last for several seasons. My two traditional kilts fit easily into this look, with the shirts and shoes I already had.

On the other hand, there's something about the comtemporary designs that strikes a chord. I was fascinated when I first saw the Utilikilts back when Steven first started selling them on eBay, hoping that it was a look that would last and take off . . .

I had a chance to travel to Seattle on business in 2002, so I stopped by the store and picked up a black Original. Having mostly traditional shirts, shoes, etc., it didn't "feel" like the right combination. I've since picked up some items to combine with the UK, but don't wear it often, as I still don't feel like I've quite found the right combination to make it work for me. Obviously, I need a fashion advisor to assist. ;)

I wear one of my traditionals to work about once a week, usually on "casual Friday" (I figured that the Scots probably do casual Friday also, so that's my story . . . ). A week or two ago, one of my co-workers who is pretty fashionable said that to her the wool tartans look wintery and hot, especially for Dallas. She said I needed something in a khaki -- I thought that that was a very interesting comment!! (I mentioned that my kilt that day was PV, and very cool and comfortable.) I showed her one of the khaki or tan UKs and she responded favorably to that, so I may venture farther afield . . .

I am also very interested in the solid colors. I am looking at the Stillwater black heavyweight, which if I understand comments here and looking at the pictures on the site, is a black-on-black "tartan" weave, which I like a lot.


Regards,
Mark

[Streetcar]

It was the Utilikilt that got me started. I had only seen traditional styles when coupled with ghille's, jacobite shirts, etc. It seemed more of a "costume" to me.

When I first saw Utilikilts, I saw how the whole thing could be day-to-day.

Now I see more and more of both types. This last weekend I was at the local Highland Games. I saw more "modern" kilts there than I've ever seen in the past...but I found myself longing for a traditional kilt.

I spoke with someone from Seattle Kilts (an importer). She said that many in her business consider the Utilikilt a "training kilt," something to break the ice for kilts.

So while I always thought I would only wear a modern kilt, I've decided I'll also get a Tartan.

[Blu (Ontario)]

I own an R-Kilt and have worn it shopping etc. numerous times. The first couple of times it took a wee bit more chutzpah on my part to venture forth. (Sadly it is now too small for me.) While the R-Kilt experience was generally positive, I think it did stir up a few more puzzled faces - to be expected I guess. Mostly though, I have stayed with the traditionals. Partly because of the look but also, because of the tradition and recognition. Unlike some, I do believe most modern kilts would pass the "kilt" litmus test. For the most part, I've not particularly cared for the look of most of them. I'm not at all fond of stylized apron snaps and oversized pockets of the Ulilikilt and others of its ilk - just a personal preference. Also I have yet to see a modern kilt that can match a traditional for pleats that fall without twisting about. (The Kilt Store sells a camo hybrid that looks pretty good, though.) For the time being, I'm happy to stay on the traditional side of the fence. There's still quite allot for me to explore over here.

blu

[Lee]

I now have 7 kilts. I started with 5 traditional kilts, and have recently added 2 modern (Rkilts and FreedomKilts). I enjoy wearing both 'styles'.

The modern kilts are, of course, quite different garments from the traditionals.
Some have commented that they are more 'skirtish', and I have thought that, at times. But they are fun and comfortable to wear.

Lee

[Christopher]

Both of my kilts are traditionals. I just don't think I could get myself to purchase a modern. I did buy a SK heavy weight about 3-months ago but sold it almost immediately becasue I didn't care for the hang or swing of it. I find that I eally do prefer a 13-oz or 16-oz worsted wool garment. I think if I every did decide to venture into the modern side of things, it would be with a standard black or kahki UK.

[Bob C]

Both of my kilts are traditionals. I just don't think I could get myself to purchase a modern. I did buy a SK heavy weight about 3-months ago but sold it almost immediately becasue I didn't care for the hang or swing of it. I find that I eally do prefer a 13-oz or 16-oz worsted wool garment. I think if I every did decide to venture into the modern side of things, it would be with a standard black or kahki UK.

You're the first one I've heard who was dissatisfied with the Stillwater heavyweight.

I've never actually worn a kilt that was not wool. As I said above, I'm considering a Stillwater. I just want one to wear on St. Patrick's Day and to Irish festivals. I'm guessing they're good enough for that.

[Mike n NC]

As a traditional kilt wearer, would you consider wearing a modern kilt and if not, why not?

For those who wear both, did you find it took more audacity to wear a modern kilt? In your opinion, are your modern kilts just as much a "kilts" as your tartan traditionals? Do you experience different reactions from people between the two styles?

Wear 'em if you got 'em!

blu

I'll take on both of these. As to the first, it took a while to accept the modern kilt and longer to decide that I would wear one in public, or private for that matter. At first I didn't see them as a kilt and then...

For the second... I finally decided to try one so I got in touch with Jeff at PK and he fixed me up with a great cammo kilt. Wanting to just jump in and get it over with, I wore it twice over the course of a weekend. Once to a SASS (single action shooting society) event and then to a N-SSA (north-south skirmish association) event. Both involve mostly good'ol boys so I figured after that I could survive just about anything. Reaction to the cammo kilt was very good in both groups. In fact I think it may have gone over better with my fellow shooters than the traditionals they normally see me in.

Now I have several solid kilts along with the cammo and am ready to jump on another of Jeff's fine productions. Yep, they'er kilts alright.

Mike

[Dreadbelly]

You know, I must take a moment here and recognise the folk who have real guts...

The suicidal souls that say dispairaging remarks to me with no readily available means of escape. For those of you that have seen my picture, you will know exactly what I mean.

Like them or not, they have either some guts or suicidal stupidity to say the things they say.

[eighties]

As a wearer of both modern and traditional, I guess I'll start by answering of Blu's question:


For those who wear both, did you find it took more audacity to wear a modern kilt? In your opinion, are your modern kilts just as much a "kilts" as your tartan traditionals? Do you experience different reactions from people between the two styles?


I started as just a traditional tartan kilt wearer. My first and still favorite is my Anderson tartan that I bought in Edinburgh from Hector Russell. For the longest time I wouldn't wear it for anything but Scottish events. This is mainly because it is an expensive taylored garment and I just don't want to get it ruined. Then I discovered the Sportkilt and Stillwater kilts. They were more or less traditional looking but in tartan and about one fifth the price of a tank. So I got a Sportkilt in Anderson to wear in place of my tank on really hot days and the Stillwaters offer some variety in tartan choice. Suddenly, I found myself wearing kilts more often as I'm not as concerned with getting them dirty or damaged. Utilikilts was at the Savannah Highland games and I decided to break down and ordered one. So far the reactions for both styles have been the same and overwhelmingly positive.

I would never wear my UK to a Scottish function but lord knows I do so love pockets over a sporran. On the other hand I wouldn't wear my tank to mow the lawn or go boating. On me they both look very masculine and noone yet has mistaken the UK, Spotkilt or Stillwater for anything but a kilt. I even wore my Stillwater at formal night on a cruise recently and received many compliments even from some Scots. Sure many folks are taken aback at first, you just don't see a man in a kilt everyday. On the whole, I love them all and each has their time and place to be worn with pride.

Later,
80s