Narrow Aprons

[werewolves]

Had a discussion about kilts with my wife recently. One of the things that came up was that she much prefers my Utilikilts to my "traditional style" SWK Standard. To her eye, the wide front apron of a traditional kilt (even with sporran) is "boring" (please no flaming the wife, she's just being honest). The front of a UK with some pleats showing, and the buttons, gives more visual interest in her opinion.

So I am interested in your opinions on this topic.

Also, I want (someday when I can afford it) to buy a tartan wool tank. I am wondering if any of you kilt makers out there have ever made (and pictures would be awesome) a traditional-style tartan kilt, but with a narrow front apron like a UK? How would that look? Practical considerations?

Thanks

[Phicong]

This is a deleted message due misspelling.

[GDub]

My wife prefers my SWK standard to my UK. She doesn't dislike the UK, but thinks that it looks less "trim" than the SWK because of the "side" pleats. She also prefers my AK over the UK for the same reason. Personally, I like all three just fine.

A practical thing about the narrow apron of the UK (as mentioned by RiverKilt a while back--and I agree) is that when you sit down the apron fall naturally between your legs. No shifting around necessary.

[Phicong]

Having 4 traditional styled (Stillwater and Frugal) kilts with wide aprons and 2 DIY and 3 UK mockers with narrow aprons, I agree with your wife's viewpont as regards looks and of course, of even more importance, the narrow arpron is much more practical than the traditional style when I am playing my cello in public and do not wish to be accused of flashing.
Phicong, the sassenach.

[Smayniac]

I kind of agree with your wife. My first kilts were Sport Kilts and they are made of tartan, but with a narrower, although not UK narrow, apron. Whether it's because they are what I had first or not, I like the look. At some point, I will have a more traditional appearing kilt, but for now, I like additional appeal of visible pleats in front.

This sort of ties over to the when to wear a sporran thread that's running around now, maybe it's not just the tartan vs. plain fabric, but the width of the apron factoring into the overall visual.

The experienced kiltmakers will have to answer the questions about building a more structured kilt of tartan with the narrower apron.

Bob

[Larry124]

I enjoy both full and narrow aprons.
But just to show different preferences, I don’t like snaps. So I special ordered my last two AK’s without the snaps.
My guess is that (to my eyes) a narrow apron kilt would not look as good in tartan as in solid or camouflage pattern.

[GMan]

I too like both, that way I can express whatever personality I feel like that day.

[werewolves]

Thanks for all the comments guys.

I was also told the many historical kilts had narrow front aprons. Interesting.