Far from being a traditional Scottish kilt, the Utilikilt is a proud representative of the “men’s unbifurcated garment” a/k/a the manskirt. Offered in eight styles, in materials including cotton, leather, duck cloth, and lightweight nylon, it aims to be a manly, well-ventilated alternative to the tyranny of trousers. It’s also great for anyone looking to pick a fight. Obviously only for the brave, the garment is best attempted by big, burly men.
Parody or reality? You decide.
Comment by Ten — September 15, 2007 @ 2:24 pm
Utilikilts are quite real, although they only seem to be popular among the Sci-fi/Fantasy convention going types.
Comment by Weasel — September 15, 2007 @ 2:57 pm
I have to admit I’m always intrigued by a man in a utilikilt. There’s just a certain amount of courage and disreguard for what others think that I find makes me want to know more. I’ve mostly seen them at festivals and when I was in college there was a friend of a friend who wore them regularly. At Burning Man I saw a few though there were many more men in sarongs.
Comment by Kimocean — September 15, 2007 @ 4:26 pm
I am not impressed by the utilikilts that I’ve seen. On the right man they look ok, but on anyone who is not fairly large and muscular, they just look like a skirt, whereas more traditional kilts don’t really veer into “skirt” territory, even on fatter or scrawnier fellows.
Comment by JaneC — September 15, 2007 @ 9:31 pm
Do roofers wear them? ;o)
Comment by Phyllis — September 15, 2007 @ 9:34 pm
Sarongs. Ugh. No matter the physique of the wearer, I cannot see them on a man without thinking, “Marlon Brando. Extra-fat phase.”
My husband is actually a Scotsman and I’ve been trying to persuade him, for the 4 1/2 yrs I’ve known him and especially the 3 yrs we’ve been married, that kilts would look so great on him (he hasn’t worn them since he was a wee lad, when they were actual normal children’s clothes passed around the branches of his family, and the children, including my husband, actually wore them with little tams and scotch bonnets – adorable!). He says no, kilts are for children, and wearing kilts everyday and for weddings etc. is more for “your generation” (I’m 36, he’s 54) and “Protestants” (his branch of the family is Catholic). Piffle, I say, and point out men out and about in our city (Edmonton, Alberta) wearing kilts at every opportunity, but he is unmoved. You can take the kilt to the man, but you cannot take the man into the kilt.
Comment by Meg Q — September 16, 2007 @ 6:03 pm
A man in a kilt (or a sarong, for that matter) is a sexy beast.
Comment by gabriella — September 16, 2007 @ 11:51 pm
Yes on the right person these can look great, but on the wrong person (most of us) they look like skirts. This is because a traditional kilt is worn around the waist. Not the modern waist slightly above the hips where you wear your dockers. No I mean the true waist that is probably navel level for most people. Most of the neo-kilts and utilikilts are worn like pants and they generally end up looking like skirts because of it.
Kilts at the real waist look pretty good on most people. If you’re fat the kilt covers the belly up. If you’re muscular it still looks good. If you’re skinny, it’s still ok. Unless you have a tiny waist but hips that don’t match, then a tartan kilt makes you look like a catholic school girl.
Comment by Jeff the Baptist — September 17, 2007 @ 1:43 pm
It’s a gay thing folks. If one goes to a pride festival one cannot twirl about without seeing several of these…twirling about. Although I fear the gentle persons at Utilikilts would prefer that it not be thus limited.
Comment by Lady Prisspott — September 18, 2007 @ 4:41 pm
I have 3 UK’s. an original, a workmans, and a survival kilt. Most of the men (and woman) I know who wear them are normal heterosexual people. I prefer to wear mine higher than a usual pair of pants but not quite at the waist. It feels comfortable and can get me quite a number of phone numbers.
it is not a “gay thing”. I am gay and have yet to be hit on by a man when I wear it. On the other hand most women have to look to see what a man wears under his kilt and leave their number in the process.
Comment by _dance — September 24, 2007 @ 3:56 pm
Definitely not a gay thing, other than in terms of “makes me ebulliant upon sighting thereof.” It’s simply an attractive garment, attracting both males and females. I have a friend who has a leather one, and I can think of a few others who would look mighty fine in one.
Comment by Penelope's Web — October 26, 2007 @ 12:25 pm
I now have two kilts and plan on getting at least one more and yes,if you have a belly as I do DO NOT wear your kilt below it(looks MOST unattractive) and with boots and hose,they look pretty good. And yes,I get asked THE QUESTION! I reply that there’s nothing worn underneath,in fact,everything works just as well as it did thirty years ago!
Comment by TL — June 12, 2008 @ 12:49 am