Help deciding between a really good 5 yd, 8 yd, and great kilt from USA kilts

[NeighborhoodKiltGuy]

Hey guys! Just recently getting into kilting and want to save up for a really nice kilt. Money is not a concern, just need to build up the ol' account first! Would wear it year-round, every day. Live in East Tx, so crazy hot summers and winters that can dip below freezing, on occasion. Would want 16 oz wool no matter what. Love the Utilty of a Great Kilt, but don't have enough space to put one on in (. Between that, the 5 yard kilt, and the 8 yard kilt, I'm at a dead-end. Figured you guys could lend your thoughts and advice, any guidance would be appreciated!

[Father Bill]

Welcome the "Great Rabble"!

You'll get lots of general advice, but for perspective, today a true great kilt is worn only by pipe majors, re-enactors, or as a costume. Whether you wear a 5 or 8 yard kilt (and those are categories, not measurements) is totally up to you, as is the choice on pleating to the stripe or the sett, and the choice of knife, box, kingussie, reverse kingussie pleating.

Stick around, read a lot, and ask a lot of questions while you save your dollars so that when you're ready to buy, you make the best choice for yourself the first time. Buyers' remorse is a sad and wasteful (or in this case, "waist-ful") situation. Don't end up with one thing and wish you had something else and your money gone.

Again, welcome and learn before you spend!

[NeighborhoodKiltGuy]

Thanks Father Bill! Yes, I've been doing lots of research lately, can't get enough of reading about kiltin' up, haha. I'm leaning towards a modern at this moment, purely for ease of use and that it would be much more suited to formal events.

[Father Bill]

Thanks Father Bill! Yes, I've been doing lots of research lately, can't get enough of reading about kiltin' up, haha. I'm leaning towards a modern at this moment, purely for ease of use and that it would be much more suited to formal events.

Glad to help the little bit I can. In this neighbourhood, I'm not really one of the cultural experts.

Not sure what you mean by "modern". Not a clear category we use much.

[Liam]

Welcome from Western Canada 🇨🇦!
If I had to pick just one kilt for everyday wear I’d go for a PV semi traditional kilt from USA Kilts or equivalent from other kilt makers. It has the advantage of being washable. If I had to pick just one kilt for dress up occasions I’d pick an 8 yd. 16 oz knife pleated kilt from a reputable kilt maker. I would only consider a great kilt for renfaire occasions. Now if I were able to have 2 kilts I’d go with the first 2.
Cheers!

[ShaunMaxwell]

When it comes to kilts, I’m of the opinion that you should get the best kilt you can afford. So if you can swing an 8-yarder, I’d say go for it. It will include the necessary underlying structure (interfacing, stabilizer) so that it will hold up over time.

It’s also probably easier to dress down an 8-yarder than to dress up a lower yardage kilt.

I, too, live in Texas and don’t find that the extra yardage makes the kilt much warmer to wear in hot weather than my 5-yard kilt, though some prefer them. My favorite low-yardage kilt is a 4-yard box pleat. Though they’re not listed on the USA Kilts website, I know they could put one together for you if that appeals to you.

Think about where you’re likely to wear your kilt as well. Will you be wearing it primarily for dressy occasions? Or is it going to be more of a knock around kilt?

I’m sure you’ll get lots of opinions! Welcome from another Texan! Looking forward to seeing what you end up with.

SM

[NeighborhoodKiltGuy]

Father Bill, I've seen people refer to 'modern' kilts as how they're primarily worn today, regardless of material. That is where I picked up the term. You might normally use the term, 'traditional', although I do not know how you categorize kilts, that is my guess, lol.

Liam, thank ya for that advice, PV doesn't sound like a bad idea at all.

Shaun, what weight is your 8-yarder in? I have always read that 16 oz 8 yard kilt is a bit too much for our warmer climate, but if that is what you use, then that's awesome! Thanks for the advice!!

[Father Bill]

Use caution then when ordering; both "modern" and "traditional" are amorphous terms.

[ShaunMaxwell]

I have seven: two 5-yard, one 4-yard and four 8-yard. All are 16 oz. but the most recent (which, incidentally, is a USA Kilts Premier), and that’s only because the House of Edgar muted Maxwell was only available in 13 oz. I’ve noticed that the apron of the 13 oz. kilt is more prone to wrinkling than are my 16 oz. kilts. Any slight wrinkling caused by my sporran strap seems to fall out of the 16 oz. kilts in a day or two, but the 13 oz. often requires a bit of steam. YMMV

BTW, I’m in the Houston area, so when I say I’m accustomed to warm weather kilting, I’m not kidding!😀

Cheers,

SM

[NeighborhoodKiltGuy]

Shaun, that's awesome! Seven sure sounds like a lovely dream... aha. It's nice to know that the 16 oz is still comfy in an 8-yarder, definitely gonna give that a hard, long look. How often do you have to press the pleats? And is that a difficult thing to do?

Thanks so much!