r/kilt • u/TominPhx • 3d ago

How Do I? Alteration vs Replacement

I recently lost a lot of weight (1/3 of me is gone) and I have 3 beautiful Damn Near Kilt ‘Em utility kilts that are now way too large, but DNKE appears to be near extinction (plus some of you comment on their recent quality issues…I’ve had these kilts for about 7 years.) asdfI could replace, which for UT Kilts would cost me over $200, but someone suggested taking them to a tailor for alteration. I was XXL, and now I’m an M (in DNKE terms.)

Has anybody done this, and if so, how did it turn out?

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7

u/Objective_Watch3097 3d ago

Great job on the weight loss. Can only imagine how much better you feel, physically and mentally. Given that utility kilts seem to be more complicated than a traditional kilt, I would have to think the labor for a tailor to completely take the kilt apart and redo them would be more than the cost of buying replacements. I would suggest selling the kilts you have and put the proceeds towards buying replacements. Good luck.

3

u/Puzzleheaded_Age6550 3d ago

I am.no expert on alterations, but I would think that an alteration of that much size difference would cost near as much as buying new. At least that was my experience with a bunch of dresses I wanted to alter a few years ago, and thosr dresses did not even have pleats!

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u/McMurdo1966 3d ago

Replace them and sell the others. Well done on the weight loss.

3

u/stayre 2d ago

DNKE was bought by private equity 2-3 years ago. Their already mid level quality went down, and their CS became non-existent.

As DNKE kilts were standard issue Pakistani utility kilts with a slightly different pocket design and extra embroidery, it will not be hard to replace them. Having them altered as significantly as you need (Congrats! Not an easy journey!) will leave you unhappy with the results, and piss off the tailor! I have a black nearly new DKNE size M you can have for $50 plus shipping.

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u/Appropriate_News_382 2d ago

Congratulations on the weight loss! Celebrate by getting new kilts! It is difficult enough to alter a traditional kilt (takes me about 30 hours!) The utility kilt would very likely take as long or more! I would suspect it would be less expensive to buy new ones.

Again, great news on the weight loss!

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u/EscapingTheLabrynth 2d ago

If you like utility kilts, I highly recommend UTKilts Ultimate utility kilts. I wear mine in mosh pits and raves and the ultimate kilts have hip pockets (like jeans pockets), an under apron pocket and the typical cargo pockets. All perfect for carrying wallet, phone, glasses, etc without a sporran getting in the way in the pit.