Speaking of the elite: Chris is a long time Utilikiltarian- also know as the KiltedOG , moderator and omnipresent member of Facebook Group Brotherhood of the Kilt , and all around genuine human you'd want in your corner.

He posts daily videos on his socials performing 22 pushups in support of Veteran Suicide Awareness and never fails to remind us: "If you’re a Veteran in need and happen to stumble across this, please reach out: 1-800-273-8255 or text “connect” to 741741. Please don’t be a statistic." 

Chris sent in the following very personal essay commemorating his first--eventual life changing--experience in a kilt:

With all the “what was the first time you wore a kilt” and “why did try on on for the first time” talk, I figure I’d share my first Kilted picture and some advice: 

My very first time wearing a kilt: February 17th, 2013 in Seattle Washington, at the Utilikilts Flagship Store.

Why did I want a kilt, because back then (and I’m not gonna lie) , guys in kilts turned my crank and I want to be “that guy in the kilt”. I thought if I wore a kilt I’d be “more sexy”. 

As you can clearly see by this picture, I did NOT bring sexy back. 

I have no idea about my heritage, as I’ve never really done a family tree/genealogy study, plus I was adopted as a newborn. I’ve never done one of those DNA tests, However that may change as I’m 48 now, and I’d like to know my ancestry and DNA results. I just need to find a product/company to get a DNA test from. 

I don’t even remember if I actually wore the kilt out of the Utilikilts store. Honestly, I don’t think I did, as I didn’t want to be “judged” by people as we were walking back to the hotel. I was so freaked out about wearing it, I didn’t wear it again for 5 weeks after this picture was taken. 

Damn, I miss this kilt..... (I never should had sold it back) 

And this very short beard....(that short beard will be back soon) 

Who knew that just over six years later I’d be this crazy kilted guy who is just trying his hardest to make the world a better place. 

For those that don’t know, I started wearing kilts everyday on January 1st, 2017. 

My advice, don’t let your inner voices as well as others talk you out of ordering/wearing a kilt! 

If you haven’t purchased a kilt yet, my advice: purchase a kilt made in North America or Scotland. I know they are way more expensive than kilts made Pakistan or China and there are a bunch of kilt resellers out there...They are good business people, however, there is a HUGE difference in kilt quality and how the kilt fits and how the pleats move/react to the body moving. Yes I’ve owned Pakistani made kilts, I didn’t like the quality of the material used or the way they fit. It’s very true, you really do get what you pay for. 

I’m a fan of both “utility” style kilts and more traditional tartan (wool/PV) kilts. Both styles are awesome and serve their purpose with in the kilt world! 

Lastly, don’t let others tell you how to wear your kilt (except for the pleats, the pleats always go in the back), it’s your kilt, be you, and be awesome! 

Wear a sporran with a utility kilt, wear chucks with a tartan, wear boots with a tartan, I can’t believe I’m saying this: wear crocks with a kilt. Dress up, dress down, be formal, be comfortable. Wear a leather kilt, or a kilt made of denim, or even a kilt made of rubber. Wear flashes, don’t wear flashes, mix and match color palettes with kilt hose and the kilt. Wear a shirt, or don’t. Again, be you and be awesome! 

BE STRONG PUT A KILT ON! 

BE AWESOME PUT A KILT ON! 

BE FRAKIN FANTABULOUS PUT A KILT ON!

So far this summer we've hosted a handful of true blue Utilikiltarians who joined their forces with ours to preach the word of Un-bifurcated Freedom to the passers by of our Pioneer Square store.

Former UKOTM winner, Lance Kirkman joined by Pants-Wearer of the family / wife, Becky, kicked off the first weekend with their charm, good looks, and exquisite taste in artisan crafted cider. They are huge supporters of Seattle's local soccer/football team, and we planned to put the Sounders v. Dallas match on the telly...(we even registered for a 5-day free trial of youtube TV so we could watch it. Which reminds me, I really gotta remember to cancel that....) The game was delayed due to thunderstorms on the pitch, but no one seemed to mind: the beer was flowing and the pants were flyin'. Word on the street says they had such a good time, they will be back for to spend more of their free time at the store...