- Joined
- Mar 26, 2002
- Messages
- 4,940
For some time I have been entertaining the idea of purchasing a kilt to celebrate my Celtic heritage. A few things were causing me to procrastinate. The first was that I had never worn one and did not know if I would end up being into it, and unlike some other stuff I am into, a used kilt might be a little harder to sell or trade. The other thing was that I had never been able to handle anything besides the traditional wool ones in person, at $400+ was too much to spend on something to try out.
Recently, I was attending the Maryland Irish Festival in Timonium MD with my family, when I came upon a booth that said Amerikilts. The first thing I noticed was the price…$95. Now that was a price tag I could live with if things did not work out and kilt wearing was not for me. After entering the booth, I was greeted by Amerikilt founder Michael Butler who asked me if I would like him to size me. Well, before I knew it, I was wearing my new kilt over my Woolrich Elite Shorts. I also had my ten-year-old son sized, but he was just below their smallest size of 28 inches, so he will have to wait a while. I hurried off to the men’s room to take off my shorts. Right away I knew the whole kilt thing was for me. It helped that my kilt test drive was around a bunch of other guys wearing kilts and enjoying Guinness.
Over the next few days, because of having family in town, we did some sightseeing. I took advantage of it and wore my kilt out to see how people would react. So far, the kilt has been to the National Zoo in Washington DC and Gettysburg National Battlefields. At the zoo nobody batted an eye. While in Gettysburg, I got several nods of admiration from other gentlemen.
Being so happy with my Amerikilt, I decided to contact the company and get some information to write a review of this classic piece of man gear. Michael himself answered the phone and we talked for some time. Michael always had a fondness for kilts and was dismayed at how expensive even some of the non-traditional kilts were, and thought that the price was prohibitive for people wanting to see if the kilt was for them. He asked his wife if she thought she could make one, and the rest is history, and that was 8 years ago. Now Michael and his wife attend Celtic Festivals along the east coast selling and promoting their product.
Let’s take a look at the kilt itself. For those not familiar, the kilt has six snaps that hold it closed in the front, at the top of the leading end of the kilt there is a piece of Velcro that secures the edge neatly to your waistband.
The Ameirkilt is free of pockets except for a wallet pocket on the back right. This also secures with a Velcro tab. The top of the pocket is nicely finished like on a pair of uniform pants.
Now to my favorite part of the Amerikilt, the matching sporran (pouch worn with kilt to carry necessities) which is unique to Amerikilt. Mike told me that he thought that customers trying to get into kilt culture should not have to pay extra for the sporran. Amerikilt's sporrans match the kilt and are held in place by two heavy- duty clasps. I had no problem fitting my Civilian Labs wallet and Taurus Model 85 Ultra Lite 38 special in the sporran. I find due to location that it is easy to work out of and more convenient to get to, especially when driving, more so than pant’s pockets.
Mike said that he believes that just as he believes that every man should own a fancy suit for special occasions, and a pair of Dockers for casual wear, every man should own a fancy kilt as well as an Amerikilt for day to day wear. He is right because now that I know the kilt is for me I will be getting my family’s tartan down the road.
Amerikilts are made in Cheltennham PA, out of 8.5 oz cotton twill or duck. Right now they only stock earth tones in sizes from 28-58, however Mike said they will make a kilt out of any material supplied to them by the customer for the same price as one they stock. This has become a favorite option of those who serve and want to have a kilt made in a specific camouflage pattern.
During our conversation, Mike told me that his customers all have one thing in common, they don’t give a sh*t about what anybody else thinks. If you have entertained the idea of trying out a kilt, go ahead. You will not believe how comfortable and practical they really are. Check out Amerikilts at www.amerikilts.com.
Recently, I was attending the Maryland Irish Festival in Timonium MD with my family, when I came upon a booth that said Amerikilts. The first thing I noticed was the price…$95. Now that was a price tag I could live with if things did not work out and kilt wearing was not for me. After entering the booth, I was greeted by Amerikilt founder Michael Butler who asked me if I would like him to size me. Well, before I knew it, I was wearing my new kilt over my Woolrich Elite Shorts. I also had my ten-year-old son sized, but he was just below their smallest size of 28 inches, so he will have to wait a while. I hurried off to the men’s room to take off my shorts. Right away I knew the whole kilt thing was for me. It helped that my kilt test drive was around a bunch of other guys wearing kilts and enjoying Guinness.
Over the next few days, because of having family in town, we did some sightseeing. I took advantage of it and wore my kilt out to see how people would react. So far, the kilt has been to the National Zoo in Washington DC and Gettysburg National Battlefields. At the zoo nobody batted an eye. While in Gettysburg, I got several nods of admiration from other gentlemen.
Being so happy with my Amerikilt, I decided to contact the company and get some information to write a review of this classic piece of man gear. Michael himself answered the phone and we talked for some time. Michael always had a fondness for kilts and was dismayed at how expensive even some of the non-traditional kilts were, and thought that the price was prohibitive for people wanting to see if the kilt was for them. He asked his wife if she thought she could make one, and the rest is history, and that was 8 years ago. Now Michael and his wife attend Celtic Festivals along the east coast selling and promoting their product.
Let’s take a look at the kilt itself. For those not familiar, the kilt has six snaps that hold it closed in the front, at the top of the leading end of the kilt there is a piece of Velcro that secures the edge neatly to your waistband.
The Ameirkilt is free of pockets except for a wallet pocket on the back right. This also secures with a Velcro tab. The top of the pocket is nicely finished like on a pair of uniform pants.
Now to my favorite part of the Amerikilt, the matching sporran (pouch worn with kilt to carry necessities) which is unique to Amerikilt. Mike told me that he thought that customers trying to get into kilt culture should not have to pay extra for the sporran. Amerikilt's sporrans match the kilt and are held in place by two heavy- duty clasps. I had no problem fitting my Civilian Labs wallet and Taurus Model 85 Ultra Lite 38 special in the sporran. I find due to location that it is easy to work out of and more convenient to get to, especially when driving, more so than pant’s pockets.
Mike said that he believes that just as he believes that every man should own a fancy suit for special occasions, and a pair of Dockers for casual wear, every man should own a fancy kilt as well as an Amerikilt for day to day wear. He is right because now that I know the kilt is for me I will be getting my family’s tartan down the road.
Amerikilts are made in Cheltennham PA, out of 8.5 oz cotton twill or duck. Right now they only stock earth tones in sizes from 28-58, however Mike said they will make a kilt out of any material supplied to them by the customer for the same price as one they stock. This has become a favorite option of those who serve and want to have a kilt made in a specific camouflage pattern.
During our conversation, Mike told me that his customers all have one thing in common, they don’t give a sh*t about what anybody else thinks. If you have entertained the idea of trying out a kilt, go ahead. You will not believe how comfortable and practical they really are. Check out Amerikilts at www.amerikilts.com.
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:grumpy:
