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 only, 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 first utility kilt hit 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 by
selling freedom. It immediately became a success and competition emerged, first in the USA and Canada, for example
AmeriKilt and
Freedom Kilts; later the Pakistani manufacturers, making already tartan kilts, started sewing modern kilts, now called
utility kilts. 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 count 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.
Today Utilikilts look slightly different on the front, more on the back due to the "switchback" design.
I prefer 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 is excellent, three facts contributing to the kilt being premium priced. The cheapest model, The Spartan, is $260. If you are living in Germany this kilt is, due to high shipment cost, customs duty, VAT, and a customs clearance fee going to cost you about 450€. In Denmark and Sweden with a higher VAT rate, it shall be over 475€.
A Utilikilt is not custom made, but you have three different lengths to choose and every waist size (in two inch increments) is, due to the special
switchback system, adjustable by 15% of its waist size.
The Utilikilt Mocker is $300. Just two years
ago, you could have it for $200.
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 very good 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, utility kilts made in Pakistan often come with an eccessive use of cargo pockets, bottons, and chains. But there are exceptions. And there is a substantial price difference.
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.
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
You might also take a look at Kilt & More, being only one of many vendors offering similar kilts in the 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
They have very many utility kilts with buttons, enormous cargo pockets etc. but then they also have this one:
THE UTILITY KILT TO BUY!
If you, like me, prefer utility kilts with only few buttons and slide pockets instead of cargo ones, this is the utility kilt to buy.
The design is clean and straight-forward. And the kilt need not be black. This model is available in no less than 14 colours, I can tell from the website. Maybe the fabric is not as good as the one, Utilikilts use for The Mocker, perhaps it is not sewn with the same precision. But considring, the price, when writing this, is only
1/5-that of the Utilikilt Mocker, it certainly is a best buy.
It has no Switchback system or anything else of its kind. It is just as non-adjustable as your jeans. So, you must be a lot more careful when measuring your waist, but then it looks far better on the back.
Championkilts Black Stylish Utilikilt.
The pictures are property of Championskilts; published here with their consent.
This black, brown, burgundi, grey, green, khaki, navy blue, olive green, orange, purple, red, white or yellew stylish utility kilt from Champion Kilts should be the utility kilt of my choice 2025.
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.
How 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? Perhaps a fourth kilt could be even mid-thigh. 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? Kilt hose or other knee high socks. Some will wear tights or leggings, either as a fashion statement or as protection when temperatures are low. No rules, feel free to wear what you on that particular day feel like, or what seems the best solution for the occasion.
Footwear?
High boots, low boots, heavy shoes, sneakers, and you name it, are what to wear. Everything is allowed, only forgo dress shoes. They look odd with a utility kilt.
The no-rules-thing is what makes utility kilts unique. Just feel free to be free. To be you.
