Utility kilt

Utilikilt Original, olive. Costa del Sol, Spain.  


Utility kilts



Going for something more casual, something easier to maintain, something not connected with rules for wearing and with no need for special accessories? 
A utility kilt might be what you are after.

Like once, traditional kilts were made in Scotland, utility kilts were made in USA and Canada, and they were called modern kilts, sometimes American kilts. Today, most utility kilts, wherever their vendor is situated, might be made in Pakistan, like traditional kilts.
Where the Scottish kilt is several hundred years old and its origin somewhat unclear, the utility kilt first came on the market in 2000, and its inventor is known. His name is Steven Villegas. He had found out that a skirt was much more comfortable than a pair of jeans, and consequently he designed a skirted garment for men. He positioned it as a kilt, named it Utilikilt, founded Utilikilts.com in Seattle, USA, and started marketing it, selling freedom. It immediately was a success and competition emerged, first in the USA and Canada, for example AmeriKilt and Freedom Kilts; later the Pakistani manufacturers, making tartan kilts started sewing modern kilts, now sold as utility kilts and big scale. So, the brand Utilikilt has given name to the whole category.


Who will wear a utility kilt?

Despite the Utilikilt had little resemblance with the traditional kilt, except it was pleated on the back, it soon got very popular, also among American kilt wearers with Scottish roots, this indicating that the skirted garment might counted as much as heritage. And nothing wrong about that.
But wearers also count men, simply wanting something different, yet manly. Depending on the design, it also attracts men on the goth scene.


What characterizes a utility kilt?

No strict design definitions exist. It has pleats on the back, it will be of the wrap skirt type and that's it.
The fabric is denim or twill, making the kilt go into the washing machine. The aprons are narrower, than on a traditional kilt, like from 10 to 14 o'clock, rather than from 9 to 15.
Most often it comes with many and big cargo pockets and it is closed by means of visible metal buttons. Some utility kilts will even have metal chains, obviously with the purpose of attracting men on the goth segment.

Utilikilt Original black

Utilikilt Original Black.
Today Utilikilts look slightly different on the front, more on the back due to the "switchback" design.
I better like the original look, but if the new one sells better, it is better.
The successor of The Original is called The Spartan.



As much as I, in general, like this type of kilts, as much would I prefer that they came with less pockets – if any – and that they would have less metal buttons - if any. Probably the intention has been to give the skirted garment a manlier note. But a traditional kilt, which definitely is regarded manly, has none of the kind.
The Utilikilt Mocker with its inside pockets is coming close to my ideal kilt.


Where and which utility kilt to buy?


Utilikilts USA flag

First, there is the original, the Utilikilt. Today it has almost iconic status. It is being made in USA, and the quality ia excellent, three facts contributing to the kilt being premium priced. The cheapest model, the Mocker is $200. If you are an EU-citizen like me, you must, due to high shipment cost, customs duty, VAT, and a customs clearance fee calculate with an end price exceeding 330€.
A Utilikilt is not custom made, buy you have three different lengths to choose and every waist size is, due to the special switchback system, adjustable by 15% of its waist size.

Utilikilt Original black

Utilikilt Mocker Olive.
Slide pockets instead of cargo ones give the kilt a clean and more elegant design.



The Pakistani competition

The Pakistani utility kilts, I have been able to take a closer look at, have been of fine quality.
However, by a direct comparison the Utilikilt wins. Sense for detail, as well as usage of high-grade buttons and fabrics makes a Utilikilt a better kilt.
Also by design, the Utilikilt, is in most cases the winner, especially already mentioned Utilikilt Mocker with its inside pockets, resulting in a much cleaner design than with most competitors.
But then there is the price difference, the Pakistani kilts costing a fourth to a third the price of a Utilikilt – if you are living in the US. Living in Europe the price difference shall, due to taxes, become even bigger.


Expo International utility kilt

When you buy a low-priced utility kilt from a vendor in USA, UK or where ever, you don't know who has manufactured it. Chances are it comes from Expo International, which, however, is only one of several B2B manufacturers, all of them concentrated in the city of Sialkot in Northern Pakistan. The picture shows a utility kilt made by Expo International.



Kilt & Jacks

Judged from the pictures, Kilt & Jacks seem to offer a very nice utility kilt. By design it looks as a made in Pakistan kilt.

Kilt&Jacks utility kilt

Kilt & Jacks utility kilt.
The picture is property of Kilts & Jacks; published here with their permission.



This, as well as other kilts from Kilt & Jacks, is fully customizible, length, waist, hip, fell, and it comes in many colours, some of which rather bold, like shades of pink.
It has no buttons on the front, and the waist seems adjustable by means of leather straps.


Kilt & More

USA flag
Frence flag Germany flag / Pakistan flag

You might also take a look at Kilt & More, being only one of many vendors offering similar kilts in US and Europe. They have inumerable models of utility kilts in their assortment, even if not all of them are quite to my taste.


Championkilts.com

If you, like me, prefer utility kilts with only few buttons and pockets, this might be the kilt: Championkilts Black Stylish Utilikilt. No cargo pockets, but two slide pockets. And it must not be black. This model is available in 13 colours, I can tell.

Championkilt Utility kilt

Championkilts Black Stylish Utilikilt.
The pictures are property of Championskilts; published here with their consent.


Should you want lots of buttons, large pockets etc. on a kilt? No problem. They have such ones too. Only, I'm for a clean, uncluttered look.


Want something for hard work?


Blåklädar Blåklader Kilt

A Swedish company specialized in workwear and operating international has since many years kilts in their assortment.



When and where to wear a utility kilt?

A utility kilt is meant to replace blue jeans, meaning for casual wear. The better ones are for smart casual wear, too.

Utilikilt Original Olive

Utilikilt Original Olive.



Utilikilt Original Sand

Utilikilt Original Sand.



Utilikilt Original Postal Blue

Utilikilt Original Postal Blue.



Amerikilt Olive

AmeriKilt, one of the first utility kilts on the market after Utilikilt. It had no cargo pockets but came with a detachable sporran and in three different lengths. The best utility kilt design ever, to my opinion. But unfortunately, fabric, finish, and marketing were not on Utilikilt level. In January 2020 the owner retired and closed down his business.



What about length?

No rules exist. So, no rules, why don’t experiment a little bit, especially with cheap kilts? Have one kilt cover your knees, have another one go to the top of your knees, and a third one end 2-3 inches above them? Just be aware that too long looks femme, too short girlish.


Accessories?

No rules. No need for a sporran. The only thing needed might be a wide belt.


Socks?

In summer it is easy. Short socks or no socks look great. But when it’s cold? The natural thing to wear would be kilt hose. But if you don’t wear a traditional kilt, you won’t have them.
I for my part don’t like the look of kilt socks with utility kilts very much. I must admit, that with these kilts I think, tights are looking better.

Utilikilts.com, which must be said to be a specialist, obviously are ok with men wearing tights. As they say in connection with the knee socks which they are also selling,

“they look cute a little slouched down or worn over tights.”
They also offer some really long socks, 45” = 114 cm which shall certainly look like tights or leggings.

No socks, short socks, knee high socks, pulled up or scrunched down, kilt hose, tights, or leggings, it all seems to be ok. But judge by yourself, and wear what you like.


Footwear?

Boots, heavy shoes, and sneakers are what to wear. Dress shoes look odd with a utility kilt.



Next page
Kilt accessories

Other kilt variants

Kilts can also be solid coloured, or come in a camouflage pattern. They can be made of tweed, denim, or leather. They can be traditional in style, or their design can deviate to the extent where they become utility kilts - or skirts.



What to find on the Dress2Kilt site?



Kilt, Caledonia Tartan

How about a kilt?

Have you ever been thinking of wearing a kilt? You must not be Scottish. You can be of any nationality, any colour, and any belief. Only you must be man enough. The objective of the Dress2Kilt site is making you wear a kilt whenever YOU feel like it and appropriate. Without needing a special event. It is about causal-first kilt wearing.
Verschiedene Kilts

Men in kilts - Q & A

Who will wear a kilt? Why wearing a kilt? Where and when to wear it? What’s the difference between being Scottish and not, related to kilt wearing? What about surroundings? Is it true? These and many more questions are answered here.
Kilt, Holyrood Tartan

Webmaster's kilt story

How come that the webmaster started wearing kilts? When was it? How was it, wearing a kilt for the first time? How were reactions from his wife, his family, neighbours, and other people?
Kilt

You in a kilt?

When seeing you in a kilt, what should people say? And especially your significant other? And the ‘Kilt Police’? Shall people think you are Scottish? How about prejudices? Should you tell people you know that you have started wearing kilts or are about to do it? How do you tell them? What should your reasons be? See answers to these and many other questions here?
Kilt

Is the kilt a skirt?

Scotsmen will say NO. To them and very many kilt wearers the kilt is a kilt, not a skirt. It is a garment of its very own, they say, and exclusively for men.
Calling the kilt a skirt is accordingly considered an almost unforgivable insult. But is it nevertheless a skirt?
Kilt

What makes a kilt?

Are 8 yards of fabric a must? Or will less do? How is a kilt constructed? Learn about straps and buckles, fell, rise, pleats, length, drop.


Buy a kilt and accessorize it


Kilt

Must a kilt be expensive?

Yes, purists will say, because no less than a 16 oz. 8-yard wool kilt, sewn by hand by a skilled kilt maker in Scotland or equivalent place will do. But are they right? Read why they are probably not.
Pakistani kilt

A cheap kilt

Probably most kilts today are no longer sewn in Scotland, but in Pakistan. In common these "imported" kilts have that they are affordable. Some shall give you real value for your money, others little - or worse - no value. Read about where to find good, nevertheless cheap kilts.
USA Lilts Casual

A moderate priced kilt

Some established Scottish and American kiltmakers know that affordable kilts are the condition for having men start wearing kilts, especially those having no Scottish roots. They therefore offer some very good kilts which they will position as casual kilts, probably for not hurting the rest of their business. For casual wear they might be all you need.
Kilt

A premium priced kilt

You'll hardly get an 8-yard kilt in pure new wool for under £300 or the equivalent. It shall be much easier to find one costing twice or three times as much. Not all premium priced kilts are sewn in Scotland. Examples are USA, Canada, England, France, and Austria.
Kilt

Get the measures right

Buying your first kilt is something quite unusual. Most likely you shall buy it online, and often it shall be made to your measures. Buying a kilt is not difficult, however, and with a kilt there is some give and take. Read on, and you'll know how to make it right.
Kilt accessories

Kilt accessories

Don't get ripped off on things you don't need. Find out, which accessories are must-haves, which are nice to have, and which you shouldn't consider at all for casual and smart casual wear, and some not even for dress-up events.


Wear your kilt


Kilt

Kilt on!

Let’s assume you have just received and unpacked your first kilt, and the accessories you ordered. How to handle and wear all the unfamiliar things, the sporran, the belt, the socks, the flashes etc.?
What else to wear with your kilt?
Kilt

To mind when in a kilt

Now being ready for taking your kilt out into public for the first time, is there anything you should mind? Something to worry about or calling for your attention? After all a kilt is something very different, just the way it looks and especially, how it feels, wearing it.
Kilt

24/7/365 in a kilt

Let's be realistic, you cannot and probably you should not wear a kilt every day year riund. But having chosen to consider your kilt casual-first wear there are so many possibilities year round. Read on and get inspired.


Kilt variants, skirts, and closing remarks


Utility kilt

Utility kilts

Utilty kilts have existed since 2000. Judged from the number of vendors who are offering them, the market for these kilts must be big.They come in very many different designs, some better than others.
kilt variants

Other kilt variants

Kilts can also be solid coloured, or come in a camouflage pattern. They can be made of tweed, denim, or leather. They can be traditional in style, or their design can deviate to the extent where they become utility kilts - or skirts.
Skirts

Skirts

Could you as a man wear a skirt? Well, the existence of utility kilts with their non-defined designs is part of the answer. You can. Read about which to go for, if a skirt.
Skirt

Closing remarks

Hopefully, visiing this site has contributed to bring you an important step further. Now show to the world that you are man enough to pull that kilt or skirt, whatever it is.



Galleries


Galleries

Galleries Main Page

Links to altogether over 50 gallery pages with tartan kilts, utility kilts, other kilt variants, and skirts.
Tartan kilts

Gallery Tartan kilts

Hundreds of kilt pictures on over 30 pages, one page per tartan.

Non-tartan kilts

Gallery Solid kilts

Solid traditional kilts.

Galleries

Gallery Utility kilts

Utility kilts in various brands and colours.

Skirts

Gallery Skirts

Man skirts, unisex/genderless skirts, and just skirts.

The Braveheart way Gallery

Gallery The Braveheart Way

A mix of skirted manly garments.



Links and What's new?


Kilt

Links #1

Vendors of traditional kilts, from cheap, typically imported Pakistani kilts, whether off-the-peg or custom-made, to more expensive kilts, sewn to-your-measures in Europe or in America.
Vendors of accessories.
Tartan-mills and tartan-finders.

Kilt

Links #2

Vendors of utility kilts, sarongs, man skirts, unisex skirts, "manly" skirts, and some shorts.

Kilt

Links #3

Kilt and skirt forums, non-commercial home pages, blogs, picture galleries, videos, articles in print media and on the internet, men in kilts and skirts on stage and on the catwalk.

Kilt

What's new?

At a glance, find out what is new, has been changed or has been deleted on the D2K site since your last visit.



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