Utility Kilt Question

[Alan H]

Yes, that's a good point. "Contemporary" kilts. You wear tartan kilts regularly, with no problems. So insert the word "contemporary" before the word "kilt" in the first line of my post above. The rest stands as I wrote it.

If you're terrified that someone will think you are gay, if you wear a non-tartan kilt
If you're worried that non-tartan contemporary kilts are not part of the culture of Spain
If you're very, very concerned that your wife will not like seeing you in a non-tartan kilt

and so on....

which is essentially your response to every single post in this thread where guys on the forum have explained how and why they wear "contemporary, non-tartan kilts", or show you pictures of themselves wearing kilts like that..then dude...

--> Just don't wear one. Wear pants or wear your tartan kilts and be done with it.

[cookingkilted]

My only question is, when does the fabric loosen up? I have an Original Utilikilt and the fabric feels so stiff. I see others in theirs and the fabric falls and folds like I want but mine just sticks out and doesn't move. I have washed it a couple of times but still its stiff.

[jayhawk]

Have you added fabric softener to the wash? A couple of washes with softener really helped my Amerikilt.

[ratspike]

My only question is, when does the fabric loosen up? I have an Original Utilikilt and the fabric feels so stiff. I see others in theirs and the fabric falls and folds like I want but mine just sticks out and doesn't move. I have washed it a couple of times but still its stiff.

Assuming your Utilikilt is new, you just gotta wear it. That's what will help wear in the fabric. I think the Original is poly/cotton twill? If it is, that stuff should soften up nicely. Think of it as a good excuse to wear your kilt a lot.

[scottmphoto]

As has been said, you just gotta wash and wear the kilt. I have one from UT Kilts and it's still a little stiff while I have another of theirs that I've had about two months less and it is much softer, but I wear it more than the first. A new kilt is like a good pair of new boots, you just have to wear it to break it in.

[Mel1721L]

Yes, that's a good point. "Contemporary" kilts. You wear tartan kilts regularly, with no problems. So insert the word "contemporary" before the word "kilt" in the first line of my post above. The rest stands as I wrote it.

If you're terrified that someone will think you are gay, if you wear a non-tartan kilt
If you're worried that non-tartan contemporary kilts are not part of the culture of Spain
If you're very, very concerned that your wife will not like seeing you in a non-tartan kilt

and so on....

which is essentially your response to every single post in this thread where guys on the forum have explained how and why they wear "contemporary, non-tartan kilts", or show you pictures of themselves wearing kilts like that..then dude...

--> Just don't wear one. Wear pants or wear your tartan kilts and be done with it.

You plainly have issues with me. You seem to be deliberately insulting and confrontational. I will not rise to the bait, other than to say as someone who has been on active service in the British army, served in the police and ambulance services, there is very little that terrifies me. However at nearly 60 and being new to wearing a kilt, I think I'm allowed to ask questions. In actual fact I decided against this kind of kilt in the end as I didn't like the overall style. I will make no further remarks on the subject.

[Alan H]

I really don't have an issue with you at all. I mean, I don't even know you.

In the process of writing a rather lengthy response, where I show you that in the first half of the thread you repeatedly come up with the same three-four reasons why you DON'T want a utility-kilt-type garment, I finally found your one-liner:

"I've just bought a Prince of Wales tartan kilt off ebay, I've decided against utility kilts, but may go for a sports kilt for next summer. "

I missed that, until now. The way I read the thread was that you'd posed a question about utility-style kilts and every time someone gave you some positive information, you just brought out the same reasons why you don't want to wear one.

They're perceived as " gay" (though you admit that attitude might be a pretty "old" one)
Being made int he USA, the import and postage make them too expensive
You don't actually like them
Your wife is going to decide if you wear them or not, in the end.

However, about halfway through the thread, with that one-liner you just settle the issue and tell us that you've decided against a Utility-type kilt. Hey, no problem. You thought it over, and this thread confirmed that in fact, you don't really want one. My Bad for not seeing that post and seeing that you'd actually come to the same conclusion that I'd come to, two pages ago. I read what was, at that point, about 80% of the thread and wrote a response. If I'd read 4-5 more posts, including CmCG's "summary" none of this would have happened.

So....no worries. Carry on!

If you're still interested in a Utility-style kilt at much less expense, I encourage you to look in the DIY forum and think about making an X-Kilt. With no sewing experience, those instructions, 13 hours of work, and some focus, you can have a utility-style kilt garment for next-to-nothing and then you can find out for yourself if you are comfortable in one, in Spain.

[Mel1721L]

I really don't have an issue with you at all. I mean, I don't even know you.

In the process of writing a rather lengthy response, where I show you that in the first half of the thread you repeatedly come up with the same three-four reasons why you DON'T want a utility-kilt-type garment, I finally found your one-liner:

"I've just bought a Prince of Wales tartan kilt off ebay, I've decided against utility kilts, but may go for a sports kilt for next summer. "

I missed that, until now. The way I read the thread was that you'd posed a question about utility-style kilts and every time someone gave you some positive information, you just brought out the same reasons why you don't want to wear one.

They're perceived as " gay" (though you admit that attitude might be a pretty "old" one)
Being made int he USA, the import and postage make them too expensive
You don't actually like them
Your wife is going to decide if you wear them or not, in the end.

However, about halfway through the thread, with that one-liner you just settle the issue and tell us that you've decided against a Utility-type kilt. Hey, no problem. You thought it over, and this thread confirmed that in fact, you don't really want one. My Bad for not seeing that post and seeing that you'd actually come to the same conclusion that I'd come to, two pages ago. I read what was, at that point, about 80% of the thread and wrote a response. If I'd read 4-5 more posts, including CmCG's "summary" none of this would have happened.

So....no worries. Carry on!

If you're still interested in a Utility-style kilt at much less expense, I encourage you to look in the DIY forum and think about making an X-Kilt. With no sewing experience, those instructions, 13 hours of work, and some focus, you can have a utility-style kilt garment for next-to-nothing and then you can find out for yourself if you are comfortable in one, in Spain.

Oddly enough it looks like I may be starting a part time job in the UK next year where this type of kilt may be more practical as a sporran is likely to get in the way and it could become soiled. I came to the conclusion I didn't like them based on the most common styles I've seen, the big cargo pockets and narrow apron. It came down to personal preference in the end. My initial questions were answered but I stuck with traditional as you later realised.

[Alan H]

Actually, you might get much the same reaction in the UK as you might get in Spain. I say that based on what some other lads here on X Marks have written. Utility-type kilts are pretty rare in the UK, too.

I thought it hilarious fun when in Scotland this summer, not only did I wear a polyester-viscose kilt to dinner with Jock Scot, but on that same outing, we spotted the very first utility-style kilts that Jock had ever seen. They were on some tourists, entering a pub across the street, about 100 feet away. I think they were Blacklader kilts, but that was a bit of an eye-opener for Jock!

[bwat]

I think they were Blacklader kilts

Do you mean blåkläder as in this: http://www.blaklader.se/sv/produkter/kilt
If so were they workmen?

Strangely enough "blåkläder" means "blue clothes" and none of their kilts are blue!