Older Utilikilts

[GDub]

A question for the long time UK wearers amongst the rabble:

Did the older UKs not have snaps at the waist?

I picked up a older gray UK original off eBay for a good price. The fabric is much softer than my new black original (it looks nice, and fits better too), but there are no snaps at the waist. It has the newer apron style (no zippered fly), but it's definitely a version (or two) back from the current offerings. My black UK has 4 waist snaps...

Obviously, a belt takes care of the snaplessness of it all, but I'll probably sew in a snap (or hook and eye or velcro) to make wearing it beltless an option.

[george7]

I think that "modesty snaps" was an option once upon a time.

[GDub]

It has the 6 "modesty snaps" on the apron just like the newer UKs, unless by "modesty" you mean if the belt is undone the kilt falls to the floor!

[george7]

So it's only missing the snaps where the waistline is? That seems odd. I hardly go out of the house beltless, but for around the house I'd certainly want an extra snap or two.

[GG]

Yes, it is correct that some years ago the Utilikilts didn’t have snaps at the waist. I have 5 of them, purchased between 2002 and 2008:

2002: Standard, Black, zipper (no apron) - 2 snaps at the waist.
2003: Original, Postal Blue (apron) - no snaps at the waist = you had to wear a belt to keep it up.
2005: Original, Black – no snaps. Design wise the 2003 and 2005 models are identical.
2007: Original, Sand - 4 snaps at the waist
2008: Mocker, Olive - 4 snaps at the waist.

Accordingly the change to snaps must have happened between 2005 2nd half and 2007 1st half.

Greg

[GDub]

Thanks GG! Exactly the info I was looking for!

Sláinte!

[arrogcow]

I personally was really upset when they started the waist snaps since it locks the size in more. Used to be that a UK had about 2 inches of play as weight changed.

Adam

[Moosedog]

Yes, the floating waistband was great. Of course, just leave the snaps undone and you get a similar effect. Enjoy your vintage Utilikilt!

Moosedog

[Kilted_John]

I guess Steven changed the design after I left (worked there from June-October 2005) to be more like the Survivals... Might've happened when they moved in 2006...

-J

[ncof300d]

I have a second hand Utilikilt Mocker that I purchased on EBay. For the most part it is a nice kilt, but it does not have snaps at the waist. I find it a bit frustrating. I have noticed at the Utilikilt website all of the photos are kilts with belts so you can not tell if there is a snap on the waist or not.