UK: Mocker vs. Original?

**pbpersson** · 1st July 06, 06:35 PM

I have not found a thread dealing with this and didn't want to spend hours searching, so here is my question:

How does the Utilikilts Mocker compare with the original?

Is it lighter, heavier, more comfortable, much dressier, does it require ironing?

Just so you know, I have never owned an iron in my life and don't intend to start now. I'm sort of a rebel that way, permanent press all the way.

(When I was a kid my mother made me iron saying I would need those skills someday and decided then and there I would find a way to NEVER need those skills!)

Anyway, on the web site it is really hard to tell the real difference between the Original and Mocker so I want to hear from some people who have both.

Phoenix Phil

**Rex_Tremende** · 1st July 06, 07:03 PM

I have both. I prefer the Mocker over the Original, mostly because I'm not a big fan of pockets, particularly cargo pockets. The Original has big floppy pockets on the outside. The Mocker has hidden pockets, but it's easier to slip your hands into them. The Original is butch-er. The Mocker is, in my opinion, dressier. They feel the same to wear. They wash and hang dry the same, and there is no difference in the amount of de-wrinkling they may require (washing and hanging to dry usually gets them out sufficiently - I occasionally feel the need to touch them up with an iron).

Regards,
Rex in Cincinnati

**pbpersson** · 1st July 06, 07:22 PM

Originally Posted by Rex_Tremende

I have both. I prefer the Mocker over the Original, mostly because I'm not a big fan of pockets, particularly cargo pockets. The Original has big floppy pockets on the outside. The Mocker has hidden pockets, but it's easier to slip your hands into them.

Big floppy pockets on the outside? OH NO! What were they thinking?? :confused:

I know, they were thinking cargo shorts which I have never quite understood myself. I bought a pair because they were dirt cheap and they are comfortable but....all those pockets!

Anyway, I think I will be a Mocker sort of guy. I might only get the one original (which still isn't here!) and the rest Mockers (but not a black one) and then maybe some denim. I was still thinking of the tan Corduroy original....

Pockets on the outside??? :confused:

**TechBear** · 1st July 06, 07:22 PM

Like Rex, I have both. The mocker is a bit lighter, as it doesn't have the added weight of the cargo pockets. Otherwise, they are the same. Mockers are $30 more expensive, as it is more work to sew the inside pockets and look dressier; the heather gray (available for mockers only) is the same fabric you'd find in a decent suit. The originals have the cargo pockets, which hold a lot of stuff (the "official" metric is two micro-brews or other beverage of your choice in each pocket), and are available in corderouy and denim as well as the cotton twill.

I like both, and make the decision to wear one or the other style based on whether I want to be dressy or have extra carrying capacity.

**Panache** · 1st July 06, 07:46 PM

TechBear,

Sadly I don't think Utilikilts offers the wonderful gray Mocker anymore. I am so happy I got one just before the run ended.

Phil,

For my two cents I love the sleek look of the Mocker. If I am going for pockets I'll skip the original and go for the UK Workman's (now there are some pockets!)

Cheers

**Robert Lamb** · 1st July 06, 07:58 PM

I only own UK originals so I really con't compair them with the mocker BUT if you would like the original just remove the pockets as I have done. Since my traditional kilts don't have pockes I have to get olong without them I remove all the pockets from my five UK.Now Iam free of the pocket I can go on to bigger and better things.
Robert"thekilted" Lamb

**TechBear** · 1st July 06, 08:12 PM

Originally Posted by Panache

TechBear,

Sadly I don't think Utilikilts offers the wonderful gray Mocker anymore. I am so happy I got one just before the run ended.

I'm volunteering at the UK booth for a blacksmith convention this week, and the event sheet says that yes, we can take orders for the heather gray mockers. They still have plenty on the shelves (was there earlier today to get some friends into kilts of their own) and they are still listed on the website. They might have pulled them temporarily if the fabric wasn't available, but they seem to have enough to go around now.

**Kiltman** · 1st July 06, 10:55 PM

I have both, they both have their place. I do wear the original more often around the house, and the mocker out in public.

**Riverkilt** · 1st July 06, 10:56 PM

Hey Phil, does Phoenix mean you're in Arizona?...or just rising from the ashes?

I have three UK originals and three UK Mockers.

Wear them all to work a LOT.

Main difference to me is that I don't have to worry about dampening the pockets of the original when I'm in the rest room. Those front mocker pockets are long and when you lift the front of the kilt they can "get in the way" if you aren't careful.

I started with the originals, didn't like what I saw of the mockers on the UK website. When I finally got one and looked at it I was very impressed. To me they're like "Scottish Dockers."

I like the mocker because all the pockets are where I'm used to having them. The mocker seems a tad dressier than the original to me.

The original pockets can snag on the edges of chairs if you don't watch it...like in a restaurant, or movie seat. And, no clue why, but when I walk the pockets of the mocker sort of flap up and down like a baby bird trying to fly and make a thunk thunk thunk sound when I walk.

Fabrics vary. I think my lightest UK is my woodland camo original.

There are pics of them in my gallery if that helps at all.

Of course the best solution is to buy one of each and you'll see that its like roses and orchids, they're both beautiful and you need more of each.

I spend long days at work. When I come home I wash my UKs on gentle cycle. Then hang them from three hangers with five clips each on the shower rod and let it hang dry.

To keep the pleats straight I clip weighted clips to the bottom of each plead seam to lightly stretch it into shape. I never have to iron my UKs. Takes about two minutes max to put the clips on.

The clips are made up from the extra clips by the hanger section of WalMarche with a half ounce fishing weight duct taped to each side of the clip. If you don't wanna make the clips you can by tablecloth weights for picnic table cloths that clip and have a weight hanging...but they're expensive. You'll need about 30 clips for a Utilikilt. I just do the outside pleats. I used to do the inside pleats too, but there's really no need.

If you do decide to iron, follow Ham's advise and do it on the floor. Kilts and ironing boards just don't mix.

It looks kinda jury rigged...and it is...but it works and saves all the hassle of ironing.

Ron

**arrogcow** · 2nd July 06, 08:58 PM

As Rex said, the originals are butch-er, the mocker is dressier. Now, I prefer the originals (actualy I prefer the workman's but that is another discussion). I tend to think that the mocker can be mistaked for a skirt my the unlightened easier. Not that that stops me from wearing it. Pocket wise, I am also not thrilled with the inside pockets. They are incredibly deep. this is to keep you from whacking yourself in the knackers by what you are carrying (though still can happen if you put it on to fast - the voice of experience), but being in your pocket, up to your elbows, digging for your cell phone, is a little awkward in public.

Anyway, I wear a mocker to church, and to teach (when not wearing a tartan), originals for just hanging out, meeting friends at a restraunt/bar, and workman's for actually working.

Olive, Black and Khaki fabrics are the same in both models. Heather grey only comes in mocker (it was the gunmetal grey that was discontinued), chords only come in original. At festivals (not orderable) you can also get mockers in Navy and Postal Blue.

Adam