Alpha Kilts and Utilikilts

[bikeolounger]

I have a few Utilikilts (the mis-named original, a Mocker, and a Workmans) and an Alphakilt (beta-version of the Glasgow, box-pleated with side pockets). All of my UKs are reverse-Kingussie pleated (which may apply to all their models).

If it hadn't been that my supervisor gave me a verbal warning recently, claiming that my kilts are not acceptable under the dress code (a topic for another rant), I would be (and had been) wearing kilts instead of p@nt$ whenever I'm not on a bicycle. Since I don't have lots of money to spend on clothing, and cannot justify having nine tanks instead of seven modern/casual kilts and a couple of Stillwater kilts, I wear what I've accumulated. $100-200 for a kilt I'll wear regularly is a better investment for me than $500+ on a kilt I'll wear once or twice a year.

But I digress. Too often.

Of the Alpha vs UK question, yes they are different kilts. I don't know how much Daron at Alphakilts looked at the UK products before he started doing his thing--I know he had not looked at a Workmans until about a year ago, and don't know if he has since (back-channel discussion I had with him over potentially working on mine).

I tend to wear my Workmans more often than my Alphakilt these days, but I think part of that is that when I sent Daron my size information, I was slightly off in my measurements and the kilt doesn't quite fit as I'd like (most assuredly NOT Daron's fault, as he did resize it promptly and to the best of his ability). Part of it for me is that the box pleats don't self-sort as well when I stand after being seated for a while. Perhaps a different model of Alphakilt would perform differently for me.

There are periods when I wear the Alpha more than the Workmans. In some situations, the extra quantity of pleat material under the apron is nice to have. I've worn each when riding my old Raleigh three-speed, and had confidence enough to do so on a breezy day without fear of answering "the question" for passers-by--not everyone's measure of success in a kilt design, but it is a measure.

The Alpha apron is wider, the pleats are shaped differently (box vs. reverse-K), and the pockets are a bit different than those on my UK Original, even if they seem inspired by them.

[JelicoCat]

One of the main reasons I have bought and will continue to buy Utilikilts is waist fits like jeans. I own a mocker, workman, survival, and an original. Each one serves its purpose and my UK's are my daily wear. I like the norrow and apron because it falls between the legs easily when sitting. Pleat curl is especially problematic on the workman. That's ok because I'm working at choirs or home improvement when wearing it. The survival is the most "functional." The original is the lightest. The mocker is for dressing nice/casual. Dressing up from there is my semi-trad. I love the slant pockets on the mocker and survival. Just a note: Utilikilts consider their stuff a MUG. I tend to agree. From what I have seen posted here, alphakilts is closer to a kilt.