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.
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.
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 
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.
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.
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.
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
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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.
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 
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.
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
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?
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.
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.
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?
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?
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?
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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 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?
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.
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 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.
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
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.
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 Main Page
Links to altogether over 50 gallery pages with tartan kilts, utility kilts, other kilt variants, and skirts.
Links and What's new?
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.
Links #2
Vendors of utility kilts, sarongs, man skirts, unisex skirts, "manly" skirts, and some shorts.
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.
