Business Profile: Off Kilter Kilts

Despite the fact Off Kilter Kilts is selling products steeped in centuries of tradition, the store itself possesses a very modern and clean look. – Photo by Gus Herrera

By Gus Herrera

Off Kilter Kilts in Pasadena is making it their mission to liberate customers from the tyranny of pants. As the only multi-brand kilt store in the country with a physical location, Off Kilter Kilts is truly unique, not only in what they sell, but also in their message. They sell kilts for everyday use. Sure, they can set you up with a full period-piece outfit, if that is what you are looking for, but Off Kilter Kilts specializes in high-quality, durable kilts that can last you a lifetime.

Owner J.T. Centonze made the switch from pants to kilts about 11 years ago and he has never looked back, “It was super practical, super comfortable … it’s liberty … you start to realize every society in history wore skirts. We didn’t start wearing pants until we started riding horses for work … when we started working on them and spending eight hours a day on them, we started wearing pants. And then came the factories, you can’t wear a loose garment in the factories, so we continued wearing pants. And then after the Industrial Revolution it just became a thing, men wore pants. Women who never had to work on a horse and rarely worked in factories got to keep wearing dresses and skirts. We’re just taking it back. They all understand, it’s way more comfortable to wear a skirt.”
Centonze does not just talk the talk, he also walks the walk, claiming to wear a kilt almost every day of the year, “I wear my kilts 365, I have one pair of pants and I wear them approximately once a year whenever I do a wedding. I officiate weddings and if the bride insists, I’ll wear pants. Half of them don’t, half of them want me in a kilt. But that’s the only reason I ever wear pants anymore. In the winter you just wear longer socks.”
For Centonze, it is all about practicality. He argues that although it might take a little getting used to, kilts ultimately provide a sense of comfort and freedom impossible to attain in pants. “It’s more comfortable and the amount of time we get on ladders is pretty slim. As far as picking something up off the floor, ask any woman and she’ll be more than happy to tell you how to do that in a skirt. It takes some getting used to but that’s the only thing you have to worry about,” says Centonze, “it’s just a long tradition and that’s really what we’re trying to re-capture. We’re trying to recapture the tradition that it just makes more sense. It keeps power bills down because you don’t have to air condition as much, because you’re not wearing tight, hot clothing. So that’s really the angle I’m trying to get people to understand. It just makes so much more sense.”

Owner J.T. Centonze made the switch from pants to kilts about 11 years ago and he has never looked back. – Courtesy Photo

Despite the fact Off Kilter Kilts is selling products steeped in centuries of tradition, the store itself possesses a very modern and clean look. Located at 2610 E. Colorado Blvd., the store has comfortable couches and plenty of dressing rooms and mirrors so you can come in, spend some time, and find your proper fit. Off Kilter Kilts also frequent local festivals, fairs, and conventions with their mobile sale booths, in addition to holding special kilt and game nights at local bars.

For more information, call (626) 817-9999 or visit their page on Facebook. You can also sign up to join their mailing list at http://offkilterkilts.us12.list-manage2.com/subscribe?u=ac9c2d1b0001fe7c00fa54ce0&id=6f2878c882 to stay up to date with all of their ongoing events and new products.

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