Well I'm going to just set myself up to get shot down, kicked about, chewed up an' spit back out but here we go. Since I just joined this tribe tonite, I will validate my position before posing my question.
I've been a Utilikiltarian for a good number of years. My Workman has been worn from Los Angeles, CA to Pennsic, PA. It has gone camping in West Virgina, kicked about in New Orleans and been to more concerts than I have. It has seen more than its share of sawdust on constructions sites, gotten down and dirty digging trenches, served as an assistant manager in Virginia and performed on stage more times that I could possibly count. My Utilikilt has hiked the Highlands, Lowlands and islands of Scotland, wandered through dilapidated castles in Wales, pounded pints at the Guinness brewery in Dublin, visited the Tower of London and been inside Stonehenge (it had to make a special appointment for that one).
Through all these years, jobs, miles and memories, my faithful Workman has consistently proven itself to be the most attention-getting and functional garment I have ever owned (minus the back pockets which to this day can't fit anything thicker than a small comb, but nevermind that.) With the exception of leather coats and "proper" kilts from Pringle Weavers of Inverness, it is also the most expensive garment in my wardrobe. And with all of that in mind, I feel that I've earned the right to issue a gripe.
As the lead singer of a Scots-Irish band (let's not call it "celtic" the term is horribly misapplied in the music industry) kilts are THE staple of my wardrobe. While the Workman stands head and shoulders above all other kilts in my collection in the ares of being utilitarian and awesome-looking, one thing it isn't, even after years of wear and hard slog, is even moderately soft. To be brutally honest, it first of all is the least comfortable kilt I own and to be completely frank: it hung like shite out of the box and it hangs like shite with curled, wonky pleats now. I hate to say anything negative about an article of clothing that I paid so much for but I realize that I've been in denial about the shortcomings of my otherwise favorite kilt and the time has finally come for me to reach out and seek help from other Utilikilt owners.
It has seen the cold cycle of a washing machine twice over the years; otherwise cleaning has been by hand, rain and river. My frustrations have tempted me to toss the thing into the dryer with several pairs of shoes (or into a barrel full of rocks for a good ol' fashioned kick down a hill) but at the end of the day I simply can't bring myself to take such risks with such a costly item- not without the advice of others, at least. I really love the Workman but the stiffness is in fact annoying enough that if the kilt were to "die" I don't think I would be willing to invest in a replacement even though I wear my Utilikilt more than the rest of my collection combined... probably times two.
What, if anything, can be done to soften the material up a bit and make this garment hang well without CONSTANT fixing? Has anyone found a way to overcome this or do all of us just "deal with it" for the looks and advantages it does offer?
I've been a Utilikiltarian for a good number of years. My Workman has been worn from Los Angeles, CA to Pennsic, PA. It has gone camping in West Virgina, kicked about in New Orleans and been to more concerts than I have. It has seen more than its share of sawdust on constructions sites, gotten down and dirty digging trenches, served as an assistant manager in Virginia and performed on stage more times that I could possibly count. My Utilikilt has hiked the Highlands, Lowlands and islands of Scotland, wandered through dilapidated castles in Wales, pounded pints at the Guinness brewery in Dublin, visited the Tower of London and been inside Stonehenge (it had to make a special appointment for that one).
Through all these years, jobs, miles and memories, my faithful Workman has consistently proven itself to be the most attention-getting and functional garment I have ever owned (minus the back pockets which to this day can't fit anything thicker than a small comb, but nevermind that.) With the exception of leather coats and "proper" kilts from Pringle Weavers of Inverness, it is also the most expensive garment in my wardrobe. And with all of that in mind, I feel that I've earned the right to issue a gripe.
As the lead singer of a Scots-Irish band (let's not call it "celtic" the term is horribly misapplied in the music industry) kilts are THE staple of my wardrobe. While the Workman stands head and shoulders above all other kilts in my collection in the ares of being utilitarian and awesome-looking, one thing it isn't, even after years of wear and hard slog, is even moderately soft. To be brutally honest, it first of all is the least comfortable kilt I own and to be completely frank: it hung like shite out of the box and it hangs like shite with curled, wonky pleats now. I hate to say anything negative about an article of clothing that I paid so much for but I realize that I've been in denial about the shortcomings of my otherwise favorite kilt and the time has finally come for me to reach out and seek help from other Utilikilt owners.
It has seen the cold cycle of a washing machine twice over the years; otherwise cleaning has been by hand, rain and river. My frustrations have tempted me to toss the thing into the dryer with several pairs of shoes (or into a barrel full of rocks for a good ol' fashioned kick down a hill) but at the end of the day I simply can't bring myself to take such risks with such a costly item- not without the advice of others, at least. I really love the Workman but the stiffness is in fact annoying enough that if the kilt were to "die" I don't think I would be willing to invest in a replacement even though I wear my Utilikilt more than the rest of my collection combined... probably times two.
What, if anything, can be done to soften the material up a bit and make this garment hang well without CONSTANT fixing? Has anyone found a way to overcome this or do all of us just "deal with it" for the looks and advantages it does offer?
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Pennsylvania
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Re: Softening yer kilt
06/25I've never had the problem of my kilt seeming too stiff, but I've ironed it after a hand-washing and line drying and that helped soften it up a bit and smooth out those pleats. I imagine you could add a little fabric softener to the wash if you want. And it would smell nice, too. :-)
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Re: Softening yer kilt
06/25Although I own four Utilikilts -- an Original, two Mockers, and a Survival -- I have no experience with the Workman. I understand that it's in a class by itself as far as weight and thickness, and a friend of mine who wears various kilts (I never see him in pants) has also said that his Workman is his least comfortable.
I think I'd try machine washing it more often. And I sometimes do iron my still-damp pleats when they need it, even though I seem to remember that the instructions say not to.
By the way, my favorite, and by far most expensive, kilt is the Survival. It's made of a cloth that feels heavy duty but is very soft, and is 100% cotton (unlike the synthetics or blends my others are made of). I suspect that it feels like you wish your Workman felt.
