The Utilikilts Company
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Clothing manufacturing |
| Founded | April 2000 |
| Founder | Steven Villegas, Megan Haas |
| Headquarters | Seattle , United States |
| Products | Modern utility kilts |
The Utilikilts Company is a U.S.-based manufacturer specializing in modern or "utility" kilts, launched by Steven Villegas in April 2000. In the late 1990s, Villegas crafted his initial kilt as a practical alternative to traditional trousers, aiming to enhance mobility while working on his motorcycle. This first kilt was fashioned from an old pair of military trousers and quickly became a personal favorite, leading to his first sale to a local security professional.
Motivated by this initial success, Villegas began producing additional kilts, vending them at Seattle's Pike Place Market and Fremont Street Market. It was during this period that he connected with Megan Haas, who later became co-founder. Together, they formalized the business as Utilikilts Company, operating both brick-and-mortar and online retail outlets.
Commercial success
The expansion of Utilikilt was largely driven by organic word-of-mouth promotion, deliberately steering clear of paid endorsements or professional modeling. Instead, the company showcased images of genuine customers wearing their products. Despite this understated marketing approach, sales surged from 750 units in the inaugural year to more than 11,000 within three years. The brand’s profile was elevated when Richard Hatch donned a Utilikilt during his appearance on Survivor: All-Stars. After five years with the company, Megan Haas exited in 2005.
Utilikilts have also been featured in various entertainment productions, including the Sci-Fi Channel’s miniseries Tin Man (2007) and the HBO drama True Blood, where the character Lafayette is seen wearing one. Furthermore, Utilikilt is prominently displayed in Linda Biggs' artwork "One of the Boys," representing themes of gender equality.