Comparison: Utilikilts - Alpha Kilts - Union Kilts - Other Modern/Neo Style Kilts

[David Duncan]

I would also wholeheartedly agree with the wizard, that a made to measure authentic kilt will allow you to wear it to any occasion, it can be dressed up as well as down. It will also last you a lifetime, so at the end of the day it is a sound investment.

Kind Regards,

David.

www.your-kilt.com

[Larry124]

My first kilt of any kind was a standard AmeriKilt. I’ve since acquired three more, two of them special orders without snaps.

My next choice in solid kilts was Sport Kilts specialty fabric (with sewn down pleats) which I also find attractive, comfortable, and useful.

I do not own any of the other choices because (from pictures) I either do not care for the styling, or if do like the styling then the cost is too high for my budget.

[Alan H]

I make kilts. I've made about 30 of them. I wear kilts 3-5 days a week. I've made some traditional kilts, some casual tartan kilts, and a mess of contemporary kilts.

I'm going to tell you here and how that a Freedom Kilt is built like the proverbial brick outhouse, hangs well, looks good and will last you a decade or more. I've inspected two *very* closely and I know that my stuff does not compare. They are BUILT.

cheers.

[whiteravenJr.]

I own a Bear Kilt that i Like very much I have done every thing in that kilt from working on my car to playing soccer to going to prom and to robbie burns night. i like how bear has put together my kilt. Another company that i like very much although i dont have one (YET) is Freedom Kilts. Steve is a really great guy to deal with and very honest and knows his stuff if he can't do what you want he will tell you who can.

[SteveB]

Contemporary Kilts:
I own 3 Amerikilts. They are my "jeans" of kilting. I wear them around the house, working in the yard, bowling, or for the afternoon stroll through the neighbourhood.
I own an SWK thrifty. strictly a house kilt.
I own two Utilikilts. Neat work kilts. (think cargo shorts on steroids)
I own one Freedom Kilt, a contemporary brick house. It wears well for almost everything except an argyle or Prince Charlie event.
I own two Sport Kilts that are great for the Caber Toss, and other Celtic Games.
I own two USAK semi-traditional kilts in P/V that are great for everything from running errands to the black tie dinner (With USAK supplied Argyle and waistcoat.)
I have seven home sewn kilts of which three are denim/duck modern style, and can be dressed up only so far. Four of them are traditional 20 oz wool tartan and can be worn for anything.
I also own one SWK standard tartan that is a good general purpose kilt.

I wear the kilt every day. Here in Boston the temperature may get down to 0 degrees F. on occasion. Those days preclude the AK's, but everything else keeps me toasty.
Slainte

[Chefdave]

I was hesitant of trying contemporary kilts/MUGS. Once I did though, I loved them and now have 2 Amerikilts and 8 Utilikilts.

I like the Amerikilts for the more traditional styling and usually wear them with a sporran. They are fairly lightweight and are great during the summertime. A big drawback is that they seem to wrinkle very easily.

I've really fallen in love with the Utilikilts as a jeans alternative. It's kinda funny because I was very anti-MUG (especially UK) until I tried them out. They are super easy to care for and sometimes I like not having to mess with a sporran. They are great in warm weather and the heavier weight Workman's is good for lower temps too. They also seem to resist wrinkling fairly well. At this point, I probably wear them more than my trad kilts.

[cessna152towser]

Like Chefdave I was wary of non-traditional kilts but once I tried them I loved them.
My first was a Freedom cargo kilt which is quite heavy, but being custom made is a very good fit. I was so pleased with Steve's work that he got the order to make me up a more traditional kilt from my xmarksthescot tartan fabric.
I have a second hand Utilikilts Mocker which I quite like. The reason I did not buy a new one direct from Utilikilts is that I have read a few horror stories on the net about their ordering system and people getting the wrong sizes.
I also have two shades of denim Union Kilts which I do wear quite often, but be aware the front apron overlap on these is relatively narrow so they can be prone to flying open in the wind.
Midas Clothing in England do a range of lightweight kilts but apart from solid colours their only tartan is Buchanan. They also produce a range of kilt like garments which they sell as skirts for men, ranging from trojan and box pleat skirts in denim and camo through to unpleated denim cargo skirts complete with front zipper fly. The ones which I own are quite macho looking garments and when people see me wearing them they always refer to them as kilts rather than skirts but you should be aware that these are MUGs rather than true kilts.
Another garment which is marketed as a kilt but is really an MUG as there are only a few shallow stitched down pleats at the back to give the garment some flair is the BlaKlader Craftsman Kilt. I own one of these in black and it does have lots of useful pockets and its longer length can be an advantage on a cold winter's day but its not one of my personal favourites.
I have seen some very good reviews of R-Kilts and have now ordered one of those.
I also have a USAK semi trad which is a good lightweight kilt as well as presenting a more traditional appearance.
Pictures of most of my kilts have appeared here and they can all be seen on my website.

[sathor]

Contemporary Kilts:

I own an SWK thrifty. strictly a house kilt.

I have to agree on the thrifty, been in the one I got today, and it feels like nothing next to my SWK standards. I don't feel the same 'thunk' (I guess thats swish, but to me...) when I walk or go up the stairs, but for around the house it's great. (so far)

Now, if we could get the temp back above 0 (F) I might be tempted to put the new standard I got though it's paces, and if my hot water pipe doesn't thaw soon, I won't have a choice. I ran out of pants today, and laundry is a no go.

[Skipper1]

I also have a variety of kilts and tend to follow the "right tool for the job" approach. I have a tank made to measure from the lady at "House o Tarten" here in Victoria - beautifully made and very expensive - I have several bespoke kilts out of Scotland in 16 and 13 oz as well. These three are my formal/semi formal wear ie for going to the club etc. I have two SWK kilts which I use for daily wear that can also be used for semiformal events. (These are heavy weight solid colour kilts, well built, fit nicely and dress up well - I love them and plan to buy another so I have a saffron, a green AND a black shadow tartan). I have a simple Black watch from Fantasia clothes - ebay special that is in a 12 oz - fits very well and is very comfortable but not great construction - good for around the house). I have three Freedom Kilts which are great for going out and about town, casual work situations and casual dinners - kind of like dress pants. (I think these are great- they are good for most occassions, really well sown, solid as a brick - they fit well and the service from Freedom Kilts is great. The shop is just down the street). I also have three utilikilts - a work kilt and two hiking kilts which are great for exactly that, home renos, yard work, hiking etc.
I have two Bear kilts on order - I plan to use them in similar situations to my SWK kilts. I also have a bespoke kilt on order in an Ancient Ulster tartan from Burnett's & Struth - I plan to use it for more formal occassions.
I guess this is a very long winded way of saying, IMHO what you start with depends on what you see yourself mostly doing in a kilt; formal, casual, walking about town, going to work, hiking, home renos.

[JelicoCat]

I own 4 UK's one of which is a mocker. I wear it instead of slacks. My favorite though is my survival. It is the one I wear most often. I LOVE my utilikilts. That has lead me to this forum. It is because of this forum that I called USA kilts this morning and will be ordering a semi-traditional next week. Each of these will serve their purpose. Decide what your most pressing need and buy what is most appropriate. Then decide the next most next pressing need is and then buy that one...