Heavy weight, 5 yard vs Medium weight, 8 yard

[Aussie Matt]

Hi everyone, and greetings from Australia.

I'm a new member and this is my first post.

After being able to confirm a long held suspicion that my family heritage is Scottish, I am now considering purchasing my first kilt. I am quite new to all of this but certainly finding out that a kilt is not as simple as it may appear!

The question I have, which I know has been discussed before, is whether 16oz and less yardage is preferable to 13oz and perhaps a more standard eight yard kilt?

Life can get pretty hot and humid here in Sydney so the question is one based on comfort. My initial research pointed me in the direction of an eight yard kilt as it will hang and 'swish' better. I was happy to go with a medium weight (13oz) kilt but soon found that most prefer a heavier weight (16oz) kilt because it is actually the fabric weight that allows the kilt to sit better, not so much the yardage.

I would certainly appreciate any thoughts and recommendations, particularly from those who have high temperatures to deal with. And, so you know, the kilt will be Murray of Atholl (modern) as my family, allegedly, is a sept of the Murray clan.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Regards,
Matt

[Geoff Withnell]

It is my experience in high heat/high humidity situations (very frequent here in Washington DC) that the primary cause of discomfort is the waistband. Since with a quality kilt the pleats in the waistband are cut out, the main difference would be the weight of the fabric. So a 13 oz 8 yard kilt is less uncomfortable than a 16 oz 5 yard kilt. At least that is my experience.

And welcome to the Rabble!

[davidlpope]

Below is a review of a low-yardage "Tank" made by Matt Newsome. I don't think that Matt is currently taking orders, but my thoughts would generally apply to your decision:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...843#post991843

[ctbuchanan]

All of my kilts are medium weight (13 oz) 8 yard kilts and they swish great and the look is just fine. To be honest the most important thing to me is the kiltmaker. Proper construction of the pleats means more to me than the weight of the cloth.
16oz here in the summer would be uncomfortable as Geoff expressed because of the weight around the waist.

Just my two cents.

[Litany of the Highlands]

Hi everyone, and greetings from Australia.
The question I have, which I know has been discussed before, is whether 16oz and less yardage is preferable to 13oz and perhaps a more standard eight yard kilt?

Life can get pretty hot and humid here in Sydney so the question is one based on comfort. My initial research pointed me in the direction of an eight yard kilt as it will hang and 'swish' better. I was happy to go with a medium weight (13oz) kilt but soon found that most prefer a heavier weight (16oz) kilt because it is actually the fabric weight that allows the kilt to sit better, not so much the yardage.

So I've worn both 8 yd/16 oz kilts (which I own), 8 yd/13 oz & 5 yd/16oz (borrowed from family for odd events when visiting) kilts before. The 8 yd/16 oz is the best looking kilt by a mile (especially compared to a 5 yard or lower), it hangs/sits the best, and the the way the pleats move when walking or dancing is a big part of making the kilt a really awesome looking garment. It's hard to describe this observation fully, but basically, imo, the proper seating and movement of the kilt and pleats is what "makes" the kilt, this happens with 16 oz imo. The lighter weight fabric doesn't quite capture the same look, though 13 oz is not far off at all. I've not worn a kilt in really hot humid weather for long periods, but when I did it was a 8 yd/16 oz and it wasn't that bad, but again, I haven't done it day in - day out, all day long, so I can't really help you with that part.

[Tarheel]

I am a 34"waist (US measurements) and have a 5 yd. 13 oz. that works great in the heat and humidity here in the Mississippi. I do get a bit moist around the waist but have never saturated the kilt (just the lining).

[OC Richard]

I've been wearing kilts for 40 years now, all the kilts until fairly recently have been 8 yard handsewn kilts of either 13oz or 16oz. Of the two I prefer the look and feel of the 16oz kilts.

But around 10 years ago I was issued a band kilt that was the most comfortable I'd worn. It was 16oz fabric but was lighter and obviously had less than 8 yards. I crudely measured the yardage and IIRC is was around 6 1/2 yards. The combination of heavy fabric and less yardage seemed perfect to me. When I wore a 16oz 8-yard kilt afterwards the kilt felt unbalanced and too heavy in the back.

So when I ordered an IOS kilt I specified the same thing. I love it.

For me the ideal kilt is
-heavyweight fabric
-around 6 yards
-handsewn
-two straps
-no belt loops
-pleated to the line (for most tartans)

[Aussie Matt]

Thank you so much for all your replies gentlemen. It is very kind of you all to answer me so promptly. It is sincerely appreciated.
More replies will, of course, be welcomed.

Matt

[OC Richard]

Thanks! By the way I talk to Australians every day at work (Disneyland in California). They're the nicest people.

I'll often ask them "do you believe that coyotes and road runners are actual creatures?" and the most common response I get is "I think coyotes are real, but road runners aren't real, are they?"

One said to me "if you tell me about road runners I'll tell you about the rabbit fences" and we both learned something that day!

[Reiver]

I've an 8 yrd 16 oz. tank that I wear in Arizona...often on hot days in the 80's plus and find it feels no different than the 5 yrd 13 oz. I have.
I suspect it is because of the low humidity. I think that in a hot humid environ the lighter weight would be more practical.