So, laddie boy, you rather fancy yourself wearing a kilt, do you? Easier said than done. Here in the States, proper Aberdeen tailors are in short supply. Besides, who wants to risk ticking-off some short-tempered Scot just because you’ve chosen the wrong tartan pattern?

What you’re wanting is an American made kilt: something as manly and rugged as you are. Crafted, perhaps, of good ole blue denim or motorcycle leather.

Then the Utilikilt is for you.

Utilikilts have actually been around for a while, producing what they call Men’s Unbifurcated Garments — a Stateside interpretation of the traditional Scottish kilt. They’re not as fussy as the originals, opting for simpler fabrics, a more generous cut, and working-class touches such as hammer loops and cargo pockets. They’re the Dockers of the kilt world.

Steven Villegas cobbled together the first Utilikilt back in 1999 as a comfortable, utilitarian alternative to trousers. He snapped on a prototype and headed for a local club. A bouncer asked where he could buy one, and Villegas realized he’d stumbled upon a business. Within a year, he’d sold 750 Utilikilts and was working of of a sprawling Seattle warehouse. Utilikilt sells worldwide these days.

Utilikilt wearers a pretty eclectic bunch. But they say they have one thing in common: people want to know what’s under the kilt.

Which is half the point.

Link: Utilikilts