This past year, I had a brown kilt suit (jacket, waist coat, kilt) made from Harris Tweed. I also have a Dark Isle kilt which looks black but on closer inspection reveals a damask tartan check. Both of these box pleated kilts were made by Matt Newsome. I have not noticed any change in the response of people to me in a kilt when wearing these garments vs. traditional tartan kilts. I also own several Utilikilts in solid colours. As for the people who want to call it a skirt in a pejorative sense, they are most likely not bright enough to consider whether it has a check or not.

Rick