Utilikilt Mocker on order

[NewKilt]

I decided to order my first Utilikilt today. I ordered the Mocker in heather grey. I think this will be a very sharp kilt. The color on the Utilikilt web site reminds me of a light grey tweed suit. They did not have my size on the rack, so it will be about 6 weeks.

Also, since becoming a member of Xmarks last August, I am in process of changing my kilt collection. Like many, I started out with Sportkilts. In my case I really over did it with SportKilts, so I have sold all of them except one, and will soon be selling it. Anyhow, here is how my collection will stack up in the next 6 weeks - I will have a total of 10 kilts:

Stillwater Black Heavyweight
Stillwater Nightstalker Standard
Stillwater Black Watch Standard
Stillwater Irish National Standard
Buzz Kidder canvas navy blue (traditional style 6-8 yards 10 oz)
Buzz Kidder canvas forrest green (traditional style 6-8 yards 10 oz)
Amerikilt tan
Amerikilt denim
Amerikilt chocolate corduroy
Utilikilt Mocker heather grey

I'm liking the idea of having traditional style kilts as well as moderns, and having tartans as well as solids. Actually there are only 3 tartans, all the rest are solids. I think this is a good way to be able to utilize your existing wardrobe of shirts and sweaters, and still enjoy the freedom of wearing a kilt. In my opinion, you can honor your heritage, and the proud history of the kilt just as easily in an Amerikilt or Utilikilt by how you present yourself with those garments.

I'm curious what others think of this rather diverse mix of traditional style and modern style kilts.

Darrell

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Darrell,

Congratulations! You will absolutely love the heather UK mocker. That was my first "expensive" kilt and I love it However the color it probably darker than you think. See the pic below, although it siffers from the same flash washout as on the UK site. Not a detractor, just wanted to let you know. As for your mix of trad and contemporary kilts, I am in a similar boat. I have one Sportkilt, that I do not even wear around the house anymore. A loose pair of shorts, when I wear anything, is enough. (oops, is that TMI?). Other than that I have:

1 Tan AK
2 SWK's, standard Nightstalker, HW Solid black
1 Trad Scottish national
1 trad Pride of Scotland
3 UK's, Olive and Heather mockers, and Tan original
1 USAK, blackwatch semi-trad
1 PK brushed grey denim twill
1 PK brown herringbone twill (waiting delivery)
1 SK, not worn much

Enjoy the addiction.

[NewKilt]

KiltedCodeWarrior, I really appreciate you posting that picture of the UK heather grey mocker. It is darker than how it appears on the UK site, but it is still one great looking kilt. I may have some more UK's in my future. And, boy, am I ever addicted.

I'm just about in jonesing shock. :grin: AK's are due this week. Buzz Kidders in about 2 weeks, and that beautiful UK in 6 weeks.

Thanks again for the picture.

Darrell

[ash]

I just got my first kilt, a Utilikilt mocker, in Black. I am very impressed with it and I'm sure you will be too.

I'd appreciate your views on how it compares to the rest of your collection as I have nothing to compare it to and would like to increase my collection.

[646guy]

I'm a diehard UK fanatic who is going from the more modern to the more traditional kilts. I have Utilikilts right now and an 8th one (a custom job) coming to me in May.

I have a:

Black Original
Tan Corduroy Original
Green Camouflage Original (no longer made)
Olive Mocker
Chocolate Brown Workmans
Black Spartan
Black Survival

Coming to me in May is a Nightwatch Camouflage Mocker which I can't wait to get.

[Kilted Taper]

Coming to me in May is a Nightwatch Camouflage Mocker which I can't wait to get.

Nice work on the nightwatch mocker. My bro-in-law got one of the last nightwatch originals and loves it.

I've got an olive mocker and tried to pick up the heather grey at the last event I worked with UK at. Sadly they didn't have my size and I didn't want to wait. Looks like a good one to be able to dress up!

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

I just got my first kilt, a Utilikilt mocker, in Black. I am very impressed with it and I'm sure you will be too.

I'd appreciate your views on how it compares to the rest of your collection as I have nothing to compare it to and would like to increase my collection.

Ash, first Welcome! Ok, now that we have that out of the way, I will give you a quick comparison of the different kilts I have in the order I purchased them.

Sportkilt - first kilt, solid gray, great for extreme casual, it is their older style with the pleats not sewn down, wrinkles easily. I don't wear it much anymore because it really takes a lot of work to keep is looking decent. Only wear it around the house and don't worry about what happens to it

SWK standard in the Nightstalker tartan - simply awesome, and given the price and quick delivery time, an extreme value. The 2006 models are even better as they are sewn down. Easy to care for, fits well, decent material. I will get more in the future. The only downside is a tendency for the material to pill or fuzz up, especially under the sporran. Not a big deal, just have to shave it every so often.

SWK heavyweight in solid black tartan - all the same comments as the standard and in a heavier weight fabric. Supposed to be available in a wool this year. And the black on black tartan is sharp.

UK mocker, UK original - great kilts. The contemporary version of the traditional kilt. I love them and I would say that if I just grab something to throw on from my closet, odds on it will be a UK or other contemporary. Main reason being look and pockets! Don't have to worry about a sporran.

PK - Jeff at Pittsburgh kilts makes an outstanding product. Well sewn, great material, love the fasteners he uses, and his lined kilt is great. Can't wait to get my next one from him.

Tartan kilts - I have 2 kilts in tartan, besides the 2 SWK's, and like them both. The Scottish national tartan is very festive and went well at my ofice Xmas party, but I tend to reserve it for more festive and/or formal occasions. The other tartan is more muted and works well when I feel like wearing a traditional tartan. Neither is a true traditional kilt, but were a good value and are worn higher than the contemporary kilts.

Tan AK - a good value kilt, tends to wrinkle more easily than my other contemporary kilts. Been told that some of their other colors are in a different fabric that is more sturdy. Will have to try one.

All in all, it just really depends on why/when/where you want to wear a kilt. They are all comfortable, fairly easy to maintain, and get you noticed.

[ash]

Thanks for that.

I guess by SWK you mean Stillwater?

Having checked out the SWKs on EBay, they seem really good value compared to the Utilikilt I've got.

Are the UKs expensive or is there a noticeable difference in quality?

[Iolaus]

I'm curious what others think of this rather diverse mix of traditional style and modern style kilts.

I think it's a good thing to mix it up. That way, when you wear a modern kilt, people that have seen you before in a traditional will automatically think "Kilt", rather than wonder "what's that guy wearing?"

[646guy]

Thanks for that.

I guess by SWK you mean Stillwater?

Having checked out the SWKs on EBay, they seem really good value compared to the Utilikilt I've got.

Are the UKs expensive or is there a noticeable difference in quality?

When I get my Stillwater this week I'll let you know if you'd like. UKs range from $125 for an Original to $230 for a Survival and A LOT more for a leather Utilikilt. You can find them used on ebay on occasion but if you want to try one out at a discount, try their Scratch and Dent rack where they mark down some kilts for sale to move them out of inventory. The quality though has been excellent on everything I've gotten from them.