Kilt Blog

Just a quick update for today.

The abruptness of the Seattle trip was insane. One minute we were heading there, then we were there, then we were leaving. I think we spent as much time packing and getting to and from the airport, which is hours from home and meant staying at hotels, as we did in Seattle.

Upon getting back home I did find my Blaklader work “kilt” at the post office. I’ll review it soon, including how much VAT (I thought mail order sales from the UK to the USA are not normally charged VAT?) and extra shipping I paid on it. I have not worn it yet, only tried it on. So far I can say that the pleats are very shallow, its more of a work skirt… but there are lots of pockets which I am sure will be nice when working on the cabin.

I also got a new computer, and have spent the past couple of days setting it up. I will use that as my excuse for not having blogged enough recently

On short notice, my wife and I ended up in Seattle on business. Of course, I had to drop in on the Utilikilts store and warehouse. Kilted Eric was nice enough to give the grand tour, which will be blogged in the very near future. My wife was nice enough to buy me another Workman Utilikilt, which is great because my current one is seeing heavy use while building the cabin.

I also learned of another kilt blog from Eric, who mentioned that kiltme.com had a Blaklader review. Not only is it great to see another kilt blog out there, but its especially interesting since I have a Blaklader inbound myself.

Seattle has been odd almost to the point of being surreal. Today I also happened to meet a model from one of the Utilikilt videos, she was the barkeep where I went to kill time while my wife did her biz. Those were two very strong soda and scotches she made, btw. And a moment ago, in the hotel lobby, I met a neighbor of utilikilt’s founder. Its a big city, and yet the unbifurcated world seems so small.

Except at Utilikilts itself I haven’t seen any other kilted blokes. Surprisingly though, I have gotten a number of rude comments on the street. A young Asian woman said “Oh, what a darling skirt”, but while I am not certain that one was intended to be rude, it sure was awkward. The rest were yelled from out car windows, or across the street, with the trouser wearing sissies unwilling to even look me in the eye afterwards. This is not something I see often in New Mexico. I suppose here they must be upset knowing that kilted men get flirted with so much more often than they do.

I know that many readers will shudder at the outfit, but for the world of “high fashion” I like this rendition of Highland Dress. Not only the kilt, but the hose, jacket, cap and shoes. The t-shirt and necklace I just don’t get. I’m not saying it is practical, but it is interesting and I hope will help unstick the kilt from the relative rut of special occasion.
This outfit was shown on stage in Milan, as part of “Queen of Punk” Vivienne Westwood’s Autumn/Winter 2008/09 collection.

YES! A Swedish kilt! I love it!

As strange as it may seem, a workman’s kilt by the Swedish company Blaklader Workwear, has become a huge hit in Sweden and Europe selling over 5,000 kilts. It was even named product of the year by the Swedish Textile and Clothing Association. The kilt has been such a hit that the company is now introducing it in the UK. It is availible from online retailer Active Workwear , who appear to deliver worldwide, contact them via email to order outside of the UK mainland.

According to The Sunday Mail, the kilt was designed by Gothenburg university student Marcus Jahnke. It features two nail pockets, a hammer loop, and various utility pockets. It is made from 100% cotton and retails for £44.75, about $87.00 US, which is less than half the price of the Utilikilts Workman Kilt.

It looks a little odd, with pockets at the top of the apron, but I simply must get one. Just “to review it” for my blog, of course

Yesterday I was in the local grocery store. It is a busy store in a fairly small town and it is not unusual to say hello to people you know. Even strangers are generally friendly and talkative. Every now and then someone, almost always a woman, does comment upon my kilt. But, this was different.

I was standing in the health-food aisle and a young woman exclaims loudly, “Oh my god! Is that a Utilikilt?!?”. “Yes it is,” I answered, and added that it was very comfortable and I really like them. “That’s great, I am so glad you are wearing it,” she said. So far, a little more animated than most, but nothing too loud, not yet making a scene. Then she says, very loudly so that people can hear aisles away, “There is nothing sexier than a man in a skirt!”

I thanked her, and I think perhaps even blushed a little bit. I didn’t berate her for calling it a skirt.  I was quite flattered, really. I am not usually someone unknown young women call sexy in front of dozens of strangers.

It has been too long since I have reviewed anything, so here is a sporran review. I bought this Buzz Kidder Celtic Knot Day Sporran with my Ramsey Casual from USA - Kilts last year. I have since worn it a couple dozen times. I previously blogged about the bloody chain that came with it damaging a cheap acrylic kilt.

Unlike that chain, however, this sporran is well made, works well, and is a good value. I paid $55, which is fair enough for a quality leather day sporran. It is ample in size, and closes with a strong magnetic clasp. I can easily fit more in this sporran than in a pair of trouser pockets, it will hold my phone, wallet, keys and even a few additional essentials that I occasionally need to carry.

The leather is heavy enough that it should last a lifetime, however it was a little stiff when new. The pewter celtic knot adds a stylish touch. The sporran hangs well, and is comfortable to wear. One minor disappointment, however, is that I must use two hands to close it, one to lift the front edge of the sporran and the other to move the flap down in to place. The magnet holds closed with a small post that actually carries a significant amount of the weight, this I presume, is the reason I need to lift and align the sporran part of the closure.

Overall: A-

Quality: A

Comfort: A-

Value:A-

Include Chain: Avoid using it

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