What would you like to see in a kilt?

[OC Richard]

I'm just now coming to this thread for the first time.

I'll take a somewhat opposite view: In my opinion the kilt evolved too much, when in the late 19th century the yardage increased to 8 yards and the pleats became microscopic (think of how small-waisted most kilt wearers were then) and the whole apparatus became so danged heavy.

And then in the 20th century it evolved further from tradition, when fads like pleating to the tartan and belt loops and using tartan for the binding came in.

Here is my beau ideal of the kilt, the kilt of the mid 19th century, seen here in 1852:



The Isle of Skye kilt I had made not long ago is very close to my ideal, being of heavyweight Lochcarron fabric, around 6 yards, pleated to the line, no loops, and so forth. The fabric looks great, doesn't wrinkle, and holds a pleat.

I have no use for pockets as I have a very roomy sporran. I have no desire for Poly Viscose or indeed any fabric other than heavyweight tartan.

We're living in the very heyday of kilts and tartans, with hundreds of tartans available off the peg and custom woven tartans available at reasonable cost.

[CMcG]

<snip> There has to be a way to continue to include master craftsmen.

I have a piggy bank that I put my loose change into... sometimes I've been known to break a bill on purpose just to make a little extra change for my kilt fund Not a large scale systemic solution though, especially because it will take me several years to save up enough for a tank.

[Father Bill]

Exactly the way I do it - that and birthdays, etc.

I have a piggy bank that I put my loose change into... sometimes I've been known to break a bill on purpose just to make a little extra change for my kilt fund Not a large scale systemic solution though, especially because it will take me several years to save up enough for a tank.

[Mike M.]

Staying quite on topic :-)

Elasticized straps, for those of us who bulk out when we sit.
Wicking fabrics, possibly.
I'm not sure about pockets, but a bigger sporran is a must.

[kc8ufv]

Staying quite on topic :-)

Elasticized straps, for those of us who bulk out when we sit.
Wicking fabrics, possibly.
I'm not sure about pockets, but a bigger sporran is a must.

Elasticized straps could also help for those with a more "straight" body shape, considering the kilt attaches higher on the body, where the body moves a little bit just breathing. Could allow tightening the kilt a little more to stay up better.

[CDNSushi]

Inspired by Jimmy's thread elsewhere on the site, here's what I'd like to see....

The cotton, interfacing, or liner if you will, (that's inside the kilt, covering the top of the pleats) to extend about 3 inches lower, and go around the kilt 360 degrees, including the under-apron, and be attachable / detachable with snaps.

Then, I'd have... Presto! An underkilt, or kilt liner that is snapped to the underside of my kilt, hence not restricting my freedom. Then, if I had a whole bunch of these, I could simply remove the liner at the end of each kilted day, and snap-in a fresh, clean one...

[CMcG]

Inspired by Jimmy's thread elsewhere on the site, here's what I'd like to see....

The cotton, interfacing, or liner if you will, (that's inside the kilt, covering the top of the pleats) to extend about 3 inches lower, and go around the kilt 360 degrees, including the under-apron, and be attachable / detachable with snaps.

Then, I'd have... Presto! An underkilt, or kilt liner that is snapped to the underside of my kilt, hence not restricting my freedom. Then, if I had a whole bunch of these, I could simply remove the liner at the end of each kilted day, and snap-in a fresh, clean one...

Eureka!

[biblemonkey]

Inspired by Jimmy's thread elsewhere on the site, here's what I'd like to see....

The cotton, interfacing, or liner if you will, (that's inside the kilt, covering the top of the pleats) to extend about 3 inches lower, and go around the kilt 360 degrees, including the under-apron, and be attachable / detachable with snaps.

Then, I'd have... Presto! An underkilt, or kilt liner that is snapped to the underside of my kilt, hence not restricting my freedom. Then, if I had a whole bunch of these, I could simply remove the liner at the end of each kilted day, and snap-in a fresh, clean one...

O friend of mine who makes kilts had the same thought. It's amazing what hasn't been updated in all this time.

[kc8ufv]

O friend of mine who makes kilts had the same thought. It's amazing what hasn't been updated in all this time.

I might try this idea on one of my practice attempts before working with the Cthulu tartan

[NeoDruid]

The wife and I just had our first real vacation in 10 tens. We were in Florida visiting museums, aquariums, botanical gardens, restaurants, and of course the beach. For 11 days I wore kilts. The swimsuit was the only non-kilt I wore. Wool is a great material, but it would not have kept up. There was salt water, dog barf, rain, sticky kid fingers, and sand. My Ultimate Kilts from Sports Kilts had the 4 pockets and belt loops necessary to carry the various items vacationers need. A Stillwater Cargo Sporran with RKilt braid leather strap completed my baggage. The belt loops kept that sporran from slipping about. A kilt could go into the wash at night and be ready for another day in the morning. So to all kilt makers out there pockets, belt loop, and washable materials are a must for an every day kilt. Closer to home, cooler days, and on special events a traditional wool kilt is the ticket.

What I would like to see is kilt hose with the same cushioning loops that are in Smart Wool socks. Often I have to use a sock liner with kilt hose to keep the yarn from being tattooed into the soles of my feet. Maybe a line of performance kilt hose for those days of hiking and festivals.