Local tartans with generous pockets

Ewan McGregor and Sean Connery wear them. Mel Gibson sported one in Braveheart and Prince Charles regularly has to hold his down to prevent flashing royal flesh during a stiff breeze.

The ubiquitous kilt has many proponents and has recently been the subject of a medical study to prove that wearing one, without undies, of course, boosts sperm production. But you don't have to be Scottish or broody to wear one.

In Springs, Gauteng, local Egbert Harmse makes kilts specifically customised for South African men, called Cargokilts.

He started making them at university for freedom of access.

''They have four generous pockets - so generous you can easily fit six frosties into them and still have ample space for your wallet," says Harmse.

Cargokilts are cotton, washable and available in camouflage print, perfect for the highveld bush.

''They're not a fashion item," Harmse insists. ''They're a bare necessity."

Best of all, he says, they give you ''freedom of movement".

Cargokilts is a small, artisanal company that makes kilts to order. Harmse has also started weaving a unique South African tartan.

''We tried to import an old loom from Nairobi, but restrictions on mechanical heritage trading prevented this. Now we send dyed wool to Masai weavers, who make it up for us there."

Harmse recently exported a shipment to the Botswana government, 128 kilts to Edinburgh for the castle guard and 240 kilts to Sterling in Scotland for the Round Table Conference.

''Cargokilts are good for everything," he says. ''From showing your guts at a work interview, to showing your glory while bungee jumping, and everything in between."

• Call Harmse on 083-609-0167 or see the website www.cargokilts.co.za