Non-tartan kilts

[jason10mm]

I think it is pretty obvious that if a full blown 8 yard tartan traditional kilt is like a pair of formal tuxedo slacks, then the utilikilt type "MUG" is the chain wrapped, studded cargo pants. I think you ought to wear one accordingly. Out in the woods, in a workshop, at a concert? Sure. To a formal event, no way. But as a way of gaining additional kilt acceptance and bringing in younger kilt wearers I think the MUG is invaluable.

[Blackrose87]

I think it is pretty obvious that if a full blown 8 yard tartan traditional kilt is like a pair of formal tuxedo slacks, then the utilikilt type "MUG" is the chain wrapped, studded cargo pants. I think you ought to wear one accordingly. Out in the woods, in a workshop, at a concert? Sure. To a formal event, no way. But as a way of gaining additional kilt acceptance and bringing in younger kilt wearers I think the MUG is invaluable.

I would have thought it was the other way round. Many younger people would buy cheaper PV or similar tartan kilts, for going to football etc.
And then maybe go on to buy a ultikilt.

I just can't see people here buying a ultikilt as their first kilt, if at all really.

[hkjrb623]

I would have thought it was the other way round. Many younger people would buy cheaper PV or similar tartan kilts, for going to football etc.
And then maybe go on to buy a ultikilt.

I just can't see people here buying a ultikilt as their first kilt, if at all really.

I agree. At first I purchased cheaper more traditional styles, and then got into the utilities for hiking and such activities. I like the utility style very much, but I still tend to lean to the trads for most activities, including hiking. A hunting style sporran really negates the need for all those pockets, so there's not really a benefit to wearing the modern. It really comes down to my mood on what I'll wear that day.

[CMcG]

I think it is pretty obvious that if a full blown 8 yard tartan traditional kilt is like a pair of formal tuxedo slacks...

I beg to differ. A traditional tartan kilt is an extremely versatile garment that can be worn a great variety of levels of formality. See these threads:
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-attire-46888/
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...xamples-68377/

While one might not wear their most expensive kilt to go to a punk rock concert or tromping about in the forest, that is what an older, more beat up trad is for.

[ThistleDown]

I think it is pretty obvious that if a full blown 8 yard tartan traditional kilt is like a pair of formal tuxedo slacks, then the utilikilt type "MUG" is the chain wrapped, studded cargo pants. I think you ought to wear one accordingly. Out in the woods, in a workshop, at a concert? Sure. To a formal event, no way. But as a way of gaining additional kilt acceptance and bringing in younger kilt wearers I think the MUG is invaluable.

Blackrose was asking about Britain and not Georgia, Jason, so perhaps there's the difference, but the point being made by all of us in GB is that the MUG you are referring to is rarely, if ever seen.

[OC Richard]

a full blown 8 yard tartan traditional kilt is like a pair of formal tuxedo slacks

In traditional Highland Dress this is not true. A traditional wool 8-yard handsewn kilt is a kilt, period, and can be worn at any time of day or night. The jacket, footwear, accessories etc change to match the formality of the event but the kilt can remain unchanged.

A have a collection of old Highland Dress catalogues from the 1920s through 1950s and some do mention different sorts of kilts for Outdoor Dress and Evening Dress, however the difference appears to be only the weight of the fabric.

For example my Paisleys LTD 1936 catalog gives the following

Paisleys 'Argyll' Costume for Gentlemen (the outfit illustrated is what we would call "Day dress")

Tweed Jacket and Vest
Tartan Kilt (Heavy Quality)
Animal or Leather Sporran
Heather Hose
Flashes
Brogues (Lacing)

Paisleys Highland Dress Costume for Gentlemen (the outfit illustrated is what we would call "Evening dress" with a white wing collar shirt and black bow tie)

Full Dress Doublet and Vest, in Green Refine or Black Vicuna with Roll Collar
Tartan Kilt (Light Weight)
Seal Sporran
Tartan Hose
Tartan Ribbon Garters
Brogues, Patent Leather with Buckle

[Jock Scot]

I have seen one!!!!!

Just last evening, I was visiting the Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge, as I do on occasion, and there was a fellow wearing one, of, I discovered, a well known brand! A nice chap from Finland, and we had a very happy 5 minutes talking about kilts. Thank goodness he did not ask me what I thought of his kilt! I was absolutely dreading him asking me and I think I managed to keep a poker face throughout.

My impression? They are awful. Much worse than I had hoped and expected. When I left, I spent the whole of the drive home laughing at the design. Others are at liberty to differ, of course.

[MacSpadger]

I have seen one!!!!!

If we are talking about utilikilts I have seen only one as well, although in England, not Scotland. It remains the only one I have seen yet. At first I did not recognise it as a kilt at all, it looked to me like a giant inflated pair of MOD issue Chindit style baggies, or a khaki attempt at Elizabethan knickerbockers. I don't wish to knock anyone who wears utilikilts, but, maybe because of my cultural upbringing, it looked insanely askew to my eyes. I just could not see it as a kilt and I don't consider myself as a traditionalist at all.

I have no problem with solid colour kilts, and can recognise well tailored non-tartan kilts as kilts. I actually think John Brown's 3 piece suit looks awfy smart, but the utilikilt, Ah just cannae' get mah napper roond it. I have been wearing kilts for around 40 years, but there is much on this forum that is alien to me, so normally I jist sit here haudin' mah wheest an biting mah tongue.
I'll just add that, again, Jock Scot is correct about old kilts being worn. I don't really know anyone who has ever bought a cheaper or PV kilt. In the 70's and 80's I wore an old Lovat Scouts issue Hunting Stewart kilt for everyday wear, including being out in town or on the hills. It was much repaired and eventually fell apart. You can buy old kilts readily over here for about the price of an ordinary pair of jeans at markets, there is a guy that does a travelling market stall in the NE, (he pitches at Turrif, Aboyne, Ballater, etc) that sells secondhand and army surplus kilts starting at £30. I'm speaking 16oz up to 22oz wool here.
He also sells argylls, etc. I got a beauty of a petrol blue argyll off him for £20. Some people pay that for a dodgy t-shirt with a corporation logo on it.
The good kilts get kept in the wardrobe for the smarter occasions. Here's a reminder of how smart John Brown looked in a solid coloured kilt.

[OC Richard]

Here, on the West Coast of the USA, where Utilikilts originated, they are by far the most-often seen kilts in public.

I work at Disneyland and see tens of thousands of the "general public" every day and I see a man wearing a Utilikilt around once a week, often enough that they don't attract much attention. (These are nearly always actual Utilikilts, not Utilikilt-style kilts of other makes.)

Usually the Utilikilt is part of an entire "fashion culture" including Dr Marten high-topped boots, a black t-shirt (usually with some sort of Celtic-themed logo), and the fellow having long hair and plenty of facial hair.

I very rarely see a man in a traditional kilt... at most once a year.

[guardsman]

Saw one once shopping,plain black,black as night, if ihad a gun I would have shot it. Seriously though,quite nice . But didnt look right to me. A Kilt to me is to show a Clan heritage or district. But its great that with the money anyone can have a tartan.I think it says something when so many of the armed services have a Tartan. But yes, they do lurk in Britain!!!!!!