Help me understand utilikilts

[PaulS]

One other thing, though. Although Utilikilts may have meant their product to be a "jeans or work trousers replacement", that really isn't in line with the price of their product, IMHO. An Original Utilikilt is now, base price, $125.00. A Workman's Utilikilt is, base price, $185.00. Now, that's not nearly as high as the cost of a hand-sewn wool kilt, but it's still very pricey for work clothes. No one that I know that has a Utilikilt would dream of changing the oil in their car in one, because they've paid between $125 and $200 for it. That may not be much for some, but it's a significant investment to many, especially when a pair of jeans can be had for under $20. They view it similarly to how many view a traditional kilt, something to be worn on special occasions (like going out to a club, party, etc.) where they won't be engaging in activities that could damage it. Unless the price came down to around $60 or less, then no one I know would be using it for the purpose it seems to have been meant for, as they don't want to have to pay well over $100 to replace it.

Now, does that mean that no one uses a Utilikilt for work or that many people don't? No, it just means that people I know don't. And I think that if you really looked at UK's customers, the attitude would hold true for the majority.

But it's up to UK to set their prices, I have no problem with anyone charging whatever trade will bear, and they certainly seem to sell a lot of their product. I just think that kilts won't gain as widespread acceptance as they could until the price comes down to the point that they are comparable to trousers. Stillwater seems to be leading the way in this, with their $44.00 economy kilt, made in a few standard tartans and with stock ready to ship as soon as they are ordered, and I hope the trend continues.

[RockyR]

Minor point...

MANY things are not used for what they are MEANT for... Example...

SUV's. What percentage of SUV owners actually drive them offroad on a regular basis? MANY people still buy them though. SUV Makers KNOW this and now market them a little differently ...

It's not that you WILL drive it offroad. The point is that you CAN drive it offroad if you WANT to. You're buying an OPTION to do something.

One other thing, though. Although Utilikilts may have meant their product to be a "jeans or work trousers replacement", that really isn't in line with the price of their product, IMHO. An Original Utilikilt is now, base price, $125.00. A Workman's Utilikilt is, base price, $185.00. Now, that's not nearly as high as the cost of a hand-sewn wool kilt, but it's still very pricey for work clothes. No one that I know that has a Utilikilt would dream of changing the oil in their car in one, because they've paid between $125 and $200 for it. That may not be much for some, but it's a significant investment to many, especially when a pair of jeans can be had for under $20. They view it similarly to how many view a traditional kilt, something to be worn on special occasions (like going out to a club, party, etc.) where they won't be engaging in activities that could damage it. Unless the price came down to around $60 or less, then no one I know would be using it for the purpose it seems to have been meant for, as they don't want to have to pay well over $100 to replace it.

Now, does that mean that no one uses a Utilikilt for work or that many people don't? No, it just means that people I know don't. And I think that if you really looked at UK's customers, the attitude would hold true for the majority.

But it's up to UK to set their prices, I have no problem with anyone charging whatever trade will bear, and they certainly seem to sell a lot of their product. I just think that kilts won't gain as widespread acceptance as they could until the price comes down to the point that they are comparable to trousers. Stillwater seems to be leading the way in this, with their $44.00 economy kilt, made in a few standard tartans and with stock ready to ship as soon as they are ordered, and I hope the trend continues.

[arrogcow]

Yes there are a lot of people that only wear a UK for nicer things. Some don't, I work, do home carpentry and plumbing, and have even worked on the car.

And yes the price is higher than jeans initially. For instance I just priced carhartt unlined work pants (basically a bifurcated workmans), and they are $40.00. However, I would probably go through 5-6 pairs before I will wear out a UK because of holes in the knee or crotch. Jeans are even cheaper as a good pair can be had for under $25, but the wearing out still happens. I have never had a pair of pants of any kind hold up as long as a UK. My first two are still in wearing rotation (and I now have so many that they will never wear out) after 4 years. Jeans I'm lucky if I ever got a year out of. Plus I'm still more comfortable.

Adam

[PaulS]

Again, I'm not arguing the point, and I think RockyR's SUV comparison is very appropos.

And you are very correct in the "no knees or crotch to wear out" aspect, and they are certainly more comfortable. But in my opinion, many people may balk at the initial prices because they think of the prices they would pay for other clothing that they would use for similar work, and I think that this prevents kilts from becoming as widespread as they otherwise could.

[arrogcow]

That is true, no argument. It kind of takes an adjustment in thinking to realize that the UK will probably not be more expensive in the long run.

And I'm guilty of that too. I buy a new $12 weed wacker every summer, because I won't shell out $75 for one that will last.

Adam

[Raphael]

I wear my workman when I am working around the house because it is comfortable and it doesn't require me to wear a seperate tool belt. The cargo pockets and belt loops are large enough for me to carry all the tools and stuff around.

[Rigged]

I've more than got my money's worth after 5 years of owning a black workman's UK. It was my first of seven UKs. I just wore it yesterday. It's faded and stained and it's been through stuff that would have shredded jeans. Other than looking well-used, it still doesn't show any sign of wearing out.

[Riverkilt]

What a great thread, thanks Graham.

It was men in UKs at a Ren Faire that hooked me and fired my kilt addiction. Was "too polite" to approach them but got the name off the logo and googled up the utilikilts website. I now own eleven Utilikilts and love them.

For me, they are what they are...I think of them as jeans too. I like them because I can dress them up with a dress shirt, sweater, brogues and kilt hose or dress them down with tank tops and Teva sandals.

I like UK's because I can personalize them with patches and have done so with five of them.

Once addicted to kilts from my first UK sighting I've added four AmeriKilts, Three Pittsburgh Kilts, two Freedom Kilts, two SportKilts, a leather RKilt, and three hand sewn tanks from Kathy's Kilts in my clan tartans and soon, hopefully, the X Marks tartan.

Once sold on MUGs I've added two Macabi skirts for men, and a LOT of pareos and sarongs.

None of that would have happened without the first UK sighting. I've been to many Ren Faires and seen many kilted men there and at Highland Games....was never moved to buy a kilt until I saw one that could obviously be worn for everyday wear and for knock around wear here in the high desert canyonlands.

Dread....was surprised you don't have a UK....had pictured you in a survival or a workman's....oh well, my mind.

Graham...think you'd really like a survival for hiking...I've found it a near perfect hiking kilt.

One of the best places to get the UK flavor and direction is in their newsletters every month which are archived on their site.

Anyway, say what you will about UKs....(and I've never withheld pointed criticism, even on the UK board, and as Jimmy pointed out paid a price for it....but I'm a kilt loyalist and consider UKs a type of kilt)...UKs are what got me hooked on kilts...and I'm still grateful to them for that.

Ron