Utilikilts - Polling the experts

[MysticMead]

I just placed an order today to replace my Black Original that no longer fits...seems that losing weight means replacing kilts... who knew

[Makeitstop]

And at the risk of opening up a whole other can of worms, I think it's easier to mistake a UK for a skirt than a tartan kilt. (Heck, for that matter, it's probably easier to mistake any solid kilt for a skirt than a tartan kilt---and I've got three or four solid kilts that I really love.)

Oh, no doubt. Everyone knows a tartan kilt when they see one, even if it's only because they saw braveheart. So a less traditional looking kilt is definitely going to confuse those who have only a limited understanding of the subject. However, I think the narrow apron on a UK is a bit masculine (probably because it has a loincloth look to it) and the big metal rivets say "I'm all man" even if in many people's minds it is a skirt.

Also, I have an irrational bias towards solid color clothing. I don't even like wearing shirts with images, words or logos, let alone something with a complex and colorful pattern. I do make exceptions (I have had endless amounts of fun with my "I hate babies" shirt) but only rarely.

I just placed an order today to replace my Black Original that no longer fits...seems that losing weight means replacing kilts... who knew

Exactly why I'm waiting another couple of months.

[ccga3359]

There are several issues I am concerned about.

1) Temperature - I'm an extremely warm blooded guy. I have to carry freezer packs in the summer, and roll around in the snow (while wearing shorts sandals and a t-shirt) just to cool off after being inside in the winter. While I'm sure the ventilation will be helpful for all, the colder the better.

2) Durability/Maintenance - I need something that will last, and which will require as little time and effort as possible. If it can't take some real abuse, or will need lots of ironing etc. then I will not be happy.

3) The Butt - Quite frankly, my backside is a thing of beauty. It's glorious really. In all honesty, it's a national treasure. As such, I need a kilt which looks good on the backside, neither exaggerating or completely obscuring it.

For concern 1 & 2 I would recommend RKilts hemp. It is cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. No fabric aside from possibly leather is more durable. Down side is that it is approaching $300. It is however, about the meanest looking kilt out there. The straps are beefy and it has 2 retractable tool holder straps that surprisingly are sized to the diameter of a beer bottle. IMO Utilikilts are not masculine the apron is just too narrow and the shaping of the rivets remind me of, well, a women's naughty bits. Just browse aroud RKilts as the canvas, hemp & leather all are made with the same look except the material. I just spent the weekend at a Scottish festival in my new RKilts, it was leather admitedly but it did get the stares and positive comments.

[Rigged]

I think it's easier to mistake a UK for a skirt than a tartan kilt.

Except for people who associate tartan kilts with school-girl uniforms.

[Perldog007]

If you read "The Art of Kiltmaking" you will see a definition of a kilt "....knee length skirt....worn by men".

Hell, out where I am even when they know about kilts, they still consider wearing one for daily wear as "a man in a dress". Whatever. Like Kid Cossack posted "Their problem, not yours". Amen.

At the local Food Lion I am pretty sure the staff refers to me as "the Tranny" . Bully for them.

If you go by what others may think it will be a wonder if you get kilted at all. Except for the games and Burns Suppers. Get your kilt how you want, wear it how you want.

The kilt/skirt debate won't start or end with any of us.

[The Wizard of BC]

Gentlemen,

Makeitstop started this thread by saying "So, I'm planning on getting a Utilikilt. I just don't know which one I want."

Now don't get me wrong, I appreciate the comments referring him to Freedom Kilts but he has already been to my site. My kilts don't seem to be his style.

So thank you for the comments, but I feel it may be seen as inappropriate to refer someone to me after they have stated their preferance.

Now let's let him get back to deciding which UK he will buy.

[Makeitstop]

If you read "The Art of Kiltmaking" you will see a definition of a kilt "....knee length skirt....worn by men".

Hell, out where I am even when they know about kilts, they still consider wearing one for daily wear as "a man in a dress". Whatever. Like Kid Cossack posted "Their problem, not yours". Amen.

At the local Food Lion I am pretty sure the staff refers to me as "the Tranny" . Bully for them.

If you go by what others may think it will be a wonder if you get kilted at all. Except for the games and Burns Suppers. Get your kilt how you want, wear it how you want.

The kilt/skirt debate won't start or end with any of us.

I don't really care what random strangers think. I'm already used to getting comments about the shorts and a t-shirt I wear in the winter (sometimes I even like to stand outside and eat ice cream while it's snowing, which will actually piss people off because they're cold and I'm not) so that isn't an issue.

However, if my kilt is very masculine, it will make it that much easier to shut my friends up, and more importantly, convince the ladies that it's ok, to wear a kilt. I actually had an argument about this with one of them which lasted an hour and a half, and I have even been told I will not be welcome at a friend's apartment while wearing a kilt (I really look forward to testing this) so if a certain kilt will make this process a bit easier, that is something worth considering.

Gentlemen,

Makeitstop started this thread by saying "So, I'm planning on getting a Utilikilt. I just don't know which one I want."

Now don't get me wrong, I appreciate the comments referring him to Freedom Kilts but he has already been to my site. My kilts don't seem to be his style.

So thank you for the comments, but I feel it may be seen as inappropriate to refer someone to me after they have stated their preferance.

Now let's let him get back to deciding which UK he will buy.

Now that's a class act.