Kilt Blog

About a month ago I ordered my first kilt, a tan “Original” from Utilikilts.com, in a size slightly larger than I would like to admit. The ordering process went well, aside from an email which never reached me telling me that my first choice, a black, was out of stock. I telephoned them and the salesman who I dealt with was friendly and sent me out a tan, which had been out of stock but I preferred.. My kilt arrived a few day later. I should point out, for those who do not know, that very few kilt-makers carry a stock of kilts, that a Utilikilt may often be ordered off-the-shelf is wonderfully convenient for those of us not used to waiting the weeks or months a custom tailored garment requires.

Never having owned any kilt before I was hesitant to shell out the $141 price tag. It is one of the more expensive garments I have owned, but was definitely worth the price. Each pleat is sewn down the length at both the front and back, which is nice since I don’t look forward to pressing clothing. The whole kilt is heavily built and I am sure it will last for years. It is also considerably cheaper than a traditional 8-yard tartan kilt.

Following Utilikilts’ measuring instructions I did get a kilt which fit properly. However, I wonder if I should have gotten the “beer-gut cut”. I had considered this, but as I am working off the beer-gut I decided against it. Still, it has been no problem wearing it properly when standing, walking about, etc. After hours hunched over a computer, however, the front tends to fold over at the top, and I must straighten it when I stand. If someone else is in a similar situation it could well be worth spending the few extra dollars and having one made with the beer-gut cut… a feature which does not seem available from most other utility-type kilt-makers. Utility kilts are normally worn with the same waistline as pants, whereas more traditional kilts are worn near the navel and would never need a “beer-gut cut”.

My Utilikilt has been amazing comfortable. Living in New Mexico, the days can be quite hot, and the kilt does offer, as the saying goes, “built in air-conditioning”. I am actually surprised at how cool it is to wear, because it is a rather heavy garment. The weight really helped yesterday, while running around preparing for a storm in 50 mph winds; my kilt flapped around fiercely, but I never felt in danger of it blowing up and exposing me.

Lastly, in my opinion one of the benefits of a utility style kilt is the pockets. The pockets are huge. I could easily fit a book or a couple bottles of beer in each of the two cargo pockets. I almost never use a back pocket in ~gasp~ pants, and have not in the Utilikilt either, but it seems similarly sized. The pockets use the same size large snaps which hold the kilt closed. It does take a little practice to quickly unsnap the pockets with one hand as the pockets hang loose from the lower edge of the fell.

I have been quite impressed with my Utilikilt and will almost certainly be purchasing another.

Overall: A-

Service: B- (due to net gremlins, actual humans rate a solid A)

Quality: A

Comfort: A-

Value: A-