Are these kilts?

[Colin]

I think there have been a lot of good points on this thread. I am very impressed that is has remained civil.

Without change, there can be no progress...


Are bluejeans trousers?
Why wouldn't a UK or AK be a kilt? Because it's not tartan?

This is just my personal opinion. I don't think of Utilikilts as kilt (by the Scottish definition) simply because they don't share any characteristics other than they are worn by men. The pleating is not a one way deal like almost every other kiltmaker, nor is it box pleated. The only other time I have seen pleats that switch direction at the back is on a women's skirt. I have not seen this on any other style of kilt. Solid colour kilts have been around for ages, so tartan is not always a defining characteristic.

Having said that I do think of them as an American style kilt. The kilt has been made to suit the American market in Utilikilts. Does that make them a product everyone should like....no. If someone likes the feel and look of a Utilikilt...all the power to them. I am way more of a traditionalist and prefer the look of a Freedom Kilt to a UK. I think the cargo pockets, etc are a great idea, and one that has increased the number of people in a kilt or interested kilts.

Now as for Jeff's comment of would I have a beer with a guy in a gold and black kilt...you bet I would. It takes guts to wear a kilt in the celeb/ fashion obsessed "don't rock the boat" society these days. As an interesting side note though, I have sometimes found that the UK guys don't often want to have a beer with the guys in 8 yard wool traditionals or tartan PV kilts.

Again, this is just my preference. You have yours, I have mine. We can agree to disagree.

[Schultz]

The pleating is not a one way deal like almost every other kiltmaker, nor is it box pleated. The only other time I have seen pleats that switch direction at the back is on a women's skirt. I have not seen this on any other style of kilt.

The Muirhead Kilt

Another Kinguisse kilt

[Colin]

The Muirhead Kilt

Another Kinguisse kilt

I hadn't seen those before, thanks. Are these still in production, or are they simply references now? Not too sure about the tartan jacket with the tartan kilt

Maybe Matt can give us more information, as they both appear to be very unique and associated with the tartan museum.

If this style of pleating has been previously recorded, doesn't that they make the UK patent on the pleat style obsolete?

[Schultz]

From what I gather, it's a very rare form of pleating, but people do still get it done in that manner. Mr. Larry Long, of Clan Maxwell, recently received his own blog entry in Matt's blog, and the kilt he's wearing is pleated in this style (as well as fastened rather in rather unique manner!). The second link also advertises kilts pleated in this manner.

As for the UK patent, I've no idea. Perhaps it has more to it than just the pleat style?

[Caradoc]

From what I gather, it's a very rare form of pleating, but people do still get it done in that manner.

When I first started wearing belted plaids, I used that method of pleating - it just made the most sense, given the nature of the belted plaid.

Since the pleats are angled "forward" on both sides, they tend not to get as hung up on anything that might be hanging on a baldric or shoulder strap.

It wasn't until some time later that I found out that it was an actual historical method.

[bubba]

I suspect the UK patent applies only to American casual kilts. They can pattent it in a specific application but a general patent would be overturned quickly given historic evidence that the pleating style is pretty much public domain.

[Colin]

I suspect the UK patent applies only to American casual kilts. They can pattent it in a specific application but a general patent would be overturned quickly given historic evidence that the pleating style is pretty much public domain.

How would a court define an American casual kilt when we, a bunch of people that have resources to historical information and experts and beat that dead horse often, can't agree on anything?

[Mithral]

I think the patent actually refers to the mathematical system he claims to use to make UK's. That's just speculation on my part though.

[Kilted KT]

How would a court define an American casual kilt when we, a bunch of people that have resources to historical information and experts and beat that dead horse often, can't agree on anything?

Very simply...they get one side of the story, don't consult X-marks, and bang the gavel.

case closed.

[RockyR]

Steve's patent is a "utilitarian patent" (no pun intended). To be patented, he needed to come up with an improvement that is unique to his skirted garment and it had to serve a utilitarian purpose. His "box pleating system" helps to:

"Therefore, in light of the above problems, there is a need for a kilt that allows full leg motion and natural ventilation for the wearer. There is an additional need for a kilt that does not "catch" or snag the wearer's kilt onto objects when walking, running, or otherwise engaging in physical activities. There is an additional need for a kilt that does not impede a wearer's line of sight when the wearer walks or runs."

Read the patent:

http://patft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-...S=PN/6,282,723

It is a US patent, not an "international" patent, so it's tougher to inforce to people who make and sell similar garments STRICTLY outside the US.

Why can he patent a pleating system that's been used before him? He's the first one to apply for a patent on it... that's how.