Utilikilts - Polling the experts

[Rigged]

I own seven Utilikilts. Three are Workman's (caramel, special edition khaki, black). I have two Originals (night-watch camo, tan), a black Mocker, and the original style Leather UK (without the side stitching). I also own three tartan kilts (one from Bear Kilts and two Stillwater Kilts) and a flannel-lined denim kilt from Pittsburgh Kilts.

The kilt I wear most often is the khaki Workman's, followed by the black Mocker. The Mocker is intended to be a substitute for the Dockers guys wear to do office work. It's not particularly rugged, but it does dress up well. The khaki Workman's is a good all-around casual kilt that, like the black Workman's can take a pounding. The caramel Workman's is made of cotton duck -- like Carhardt work clothing. It's made for heavy labor -- stiff, sturdy, practically indestructible.

I like that the UKs are meant to be functional first and fashionable second. You can go with the neatly-pressed look or the down and funky grunge look and they look right either way. They are wash-and-wear and the fabrics are stain-resistant.

I have to say though that there are a wide variety of kilts and for good reason -- people want different combinations of style, comfort, durability, functionality, tradition, and maintenance. A kilt that's ideal for one situation might not be so great for another. So, whatever kilt you buy, it will probably not be your last.

[Mark Keeney]

OK I have all of these so I will give you my opinions.

Original - Tan -I have the Original in Black and OD Looks dressy and neat. Kinda like dockers. I like the pockets on the side because they are simple and big. Wash, Hang up, Wear. Least wrinkling of the bunch. only one back pocket in back and it is on the right side. I would prefer the left side. Second warmest of bunch in cold weather. Good weight comfortable wearing standing and sitting. the poly/cotton keeps the new look the longest.

Jean Cut - Black -I have the blue. softest and most comfortable to wear standing or sitting. It has two pockets in back and simple big pockets on side. Warmest in cold weather of the four. My favorite everyday knock about kilt.

Mocker - Black -I have black too. Same poly cotton of the Original without outside pockets and with front slash pockets. Slash pockets are too long you look like you are playing with yourself when you get your keys. Also your my keys hit my sensitive parts when I walk. Maybe the most dressy looking kilt but I think it looks a little skirty without the side pockets. I live in the city and tall buildings can do weird things with wind and I have exposed a little too much too often. Pockets on the sides of the original seem to help keep it down. This one is my least favorite of the four.

Workman - black - I have the Caramel color. OK this is really stiff wind won't move it. The Material is really rough to sit on and rubbing your parts as you walk. this is heavier than any of the other materials and is all cotton. It does wrinkle alot. This one is the coolest in the Winter because it is so stiff. Pockets are stiff and tight the snaps are hard to open with one hand. this one fades the most.

ALL - When using snaps be careful they use a heavy duty snap and if you are not careful you can pull the snaps out of the material.

Lastly I am not commenting on another guys butt.

[Yaish]

Ah, I did forget how stiff the Workmans can be when new. Never fear, that is fairly easily remedied.

Wash it several times, and TUMBLE dry, no heat. The physical actions of rolling around in the dryer inhibits wrinkles and soften the fabric. Some fabric softener sheets probably dont hurt either.

[NancyMan]

My very first kilt was a black denim Jean Cut UK. I wore it non-stop for two months, until the weather began to chill, then I survived the fall and winter in a SWK standard and then a heavyweight STW acrylic. That UK is still a favorite. Its iconic. But it doesn't get much wear now that my collection approaches 30 kilts.......

Next a grabbed a black Mocker off eBay. Its another favorite since I tend to dress up more than I dress down. Probably the coolest (temperature wise) of my UKs.

I work in a (you guessed it) a black Workmans. Its the most bad assed and beauteous of my UKs. Has endured unspeakable abuse with aplomb and still invites cat calls from female motorists when I step out for a coffee. (I'm a bald, average looking middle aged man). The pleats on this baby have a mind of their own and will assert themselves most differentially within hours of my putting on the garment.

My latest UK, a black Survival, I acquired more because it was a deal than that I needed another UK, but this is a really fine kilt. Its the most skin friendly of all my UKs. Probably 100% cotton (their website does nothing to enlighten us on this issue). Its neat to have the option of cargo pockets or not. The pleats are the most well behaved of all my UKs. The only downside is that when the bellowed back pockets are stuffed with anything at all, they destroy the, ummm, shapely silhouette of my backside.

Were I you, I'd go with the Workmans, and then get a little gothic.......

Skirts indeed!

[Riverkilt]

I own a whole bunch of UKs...14, 15, I don't know. Have all the choices.

Missing piece is where you live. But from reading your posts above you're definately down to either the denim or the workman's.

You know you need one of each eventually so it really doesn't make much difference which one you select.

If you buy the least expensive first, then you'll understand why we spend so much on the others.

I can tell you that the softest kilt I own is my well worn denim UK...just like an old pair of jeans for softness. Once you're hooked you can feed your kilt addiction with the workman's.

As pointed out the mocker is a preppy office look (have three) and the original in tan is very light weight, but not for rugged wear.

Utilikilt is a safe place to start. You can sample other kiltmakers as your addiction flourishes.

Not sure why, but you sound like a guy who'll eventually buy a "Loud MacLeod" tartan kilt. If so, you be one of us for sure.

[Nerts]

I have an OD Original and I LOVE it! Got it in March and haven't had a problem with the weather yet, but I'm in BC so it doesn't get that bad to begin with.

So far it's served me well. I was told by the UK customer service guy that they will take a beating and keep on going. So I don't think you will have to worry much about yours.

I'm sure you'll be satisfied with whatever you end up getting.

Good luck!

E.

[Racer96]

It definitely is difficult to decide which one to go with. Really really hard.

I don't even think I have a favourite yet. I just love them all.

Mike

[Perldog007]

I have to put in a motion for you to look at Freedom Kilts if you want your prime assets properly featured. Steve takes more measurements than any other kilt maker.

Take a look at his how to measure video in the Freedom Kilts Section of this forum and compare it to the measuring instructions on the U.K. site. Don't get me wrong, I love my UK original, but it does not fit well in the hips.

There is no way that a kilt measured for waist and length is going to fit as well as a custom tailored one except through sheer luck. For the kind of money we are talking, for this man's wallet, I prefer not to leave it to chance.

Additionally Steve is way more knowledgeable than the sales folk at U.k. Don't get me wrong, those guys are great - they are very professional. But the lack the crusty charm and in depth understanding of a man that has put together as many kilts as Steve has.

At the end of the day, if you want it quick and are willing to take a chance on how well it fits you - go with a U.K. If you insist on quality and custom fit, go with the F.K.

Just my two cents.

-- Doug

[anythingshiny]

ive a half dozen various UKs...by far my most worn and favs are the workmans..i have one in each color...stiff initially, but once worn in, or beaten repeatedly against a rock, they are by far the most bullet proof. i live in north cacalacki...i know hot and humid...i still prefer to wear my wkmns.

ill go out on a limb here for ya bro..i too think i have a great ..um..rear. years of soccer and cycling have honed it to a work of art according to my wife. i love the way my wkmns hug the bubblebutt. snug...but it dosnt ruin the line. ( man i sound like a GIRL...and a vain one at that!!!)

i dont worry about spilling scotch on it, nor beer, not whiskey..um..whats left...uh....vodka...i dont worry about that either.

if it were my money i'd steer ya toward a UK

peace and bike grease!

jeff

[Kilted Eric]

The workmans is a good one to start with, its quite "manly". The good old boys, will still make fun of you, but the workmans just looks a bit tougher. Put tools in it to add to the effect.

I started with the workmans, in a rednecky part of town, and didn't get too much grief over it.

Then, save up money to get the more confortable ones. You'll be buying more soon anyways. The kilt jones starts fast.