New Kilt

**zeytoun** · 10th February 05, 07:02 PM

Alright, it's time to think about a new kilt. I have decided on wool, probably in the NYC tartan. I'm also leaning towards ordering from scottishkilts.net since I've been so happy with them.

What I need help on is Weight and Length. I have an 8yd, 13oz, and frankly if it's over 72 degrees I start to get a bit warm. How much do weight and length correspond to temperature, respectively, in your opinions? I'm considering a 13oz, 4yd because I'm afraid of the wrinkle factor of 11 oz wool. Input? Advice? Also machine stitched vs hand stitched, advice from the kiltmakers?

**Jimmy Carbomb** · 10th February 05, 08:52 PM

Originally Posted by zeytoun

What I need help on is Weight and Length. I have an 8yd, 13oz, and frankly if it's over 72 degrees I start to get a bit warm. How much do weight and length correspond to temperature, respectively, in your opinions? I'm considering a 13oz, 4yd because I'm afraid of the wrinkle factor of 11 oz wool. Input? Advice? Also machine stitched vs hand stitched, advice from the kiltmakers?

11 ounce wool is a little bit of a pain to maintain in comparison. I would actually go with a 13 ounce 4-yard before I would slack to an 11 ounce. The wear and strength is just that much better.

I STILL don't get the way that some get warm in any temperatures in a kilt. I wear the heavy ones in very hot conditions and have absolutely no problem at all. Slacks and pants... yes. Kilts? Nope.

As for machine or hand-stitched... that depends on the style. Wool traditional... hand stitch. Wool casual... either. Remember that the hand-stitched will have a MUCH better hang and taper. It just can NOT be done by machine. Anyone that debates that one just doesn't know what it takes to do a hand-stitch correctly.

**awoodfellow** · 10th February 05, 08:57 PM

hey zey,

yep. i'm in the "time for a tank" mode myself. so, i'm doing my research. the temp/weight factor is going to be one of my questions too.

so to add to your question.... those brothers who happen to live in more humid climates, what are your experiences and suggestions? where i'm located, it is not uncommon to go weeks with very high humidity. the annual average morning humidity at my location is 81% and tapers off toward evening. winters are usually mild 30's - 40's (F) with occasional Canook Coolers.

ambrose

**Jimmy Carbomb** · 10th February 05, 09:20 PM

Whatever you do... think quality and longevity.

IF you do an 11 ounce in an 8-yard, it's okay. Still, there's not THAT much difference from a 13.

Wool breathes like any other fabric... otherwise it would be called cement. It lasts much longer and will hold-up to time when maintained properly.

I get hotter from the daggum kilt hose more than I do from the kilt!

Are you wearing it differently than most everyone else? I know too many guys in the PipeBands that don't suffer from the heat, and they're in some REAL nasty situations. Even under stage lights in August they're not a problem.

**zeytoun** · 10th February 05, 09:43 PM

I just get hot very easily. It's not the kilts fault.

**Andrew Breecher** · 11th February 05, 12:24 AM

I NEVER get too hot in the kilt, even in the dead of summer when it's so humid that my palms are sweating. Like Jimmy said, I'll lose the hose and wear Chacos to stay cool, but the kilt itself is never an issue.

That said, what if you got a 4-yard wool kilt instead of an 8-yard? That might help, and if you get it in 13oz it might still have that "certain swing" to it.

Andrew.

**Jeremy** · 11th February 05, 02:25 AM

I'm remembering a comment made to me at a celtic festival this past summer. I was walking in wearing my 11-ish oz wool kilt, when a woman ran up to me and asked if she could ask me a question. Expecting the worst, she asked if those (while pointing at my kilt) were made of wool. I told her that "this one is" and her reply was, "you poor soul." I suddenly realized that I was very likely more comfortable than her husband was in his jeans, and went on my merry way.

I just suddenly realized that many readers wouldn't understand what east coast PA summers are like... try 90+ degrees (F) and matching humidity.

By the way, the same kilt is good til at least 10 (F) degrees as well.

**Casey** · 11th February 05, 05:41 AM

I have both a 4yd 13oz and a 8yd 16oz and I must admit that although the tank is beautiful, the 4yd is much more comfortable. They are both traditional style and fit well. I would think that if you have trouble handling the heat then you may want to be as comfortable as possible.

You can see both in my gallery. My avatar is the 4yd.

**Gary** · 11th February 05, 08:57 AM

My 18oz. tank is definitely the warmest kilt I own. Not much difference to me between the 4 yd. and 8 yd. in warmth. Also not much difference between the 13 0z. and 11 0z. The interfacing and lining materials make more of a difference. The 11 oz. kilts look bad after sitting on them in hot weather. 13 oz. hold their pleats much better.

**macwilkin** · 11th February 05, 09:09 AM

My own experience with wool & heat comes from my reenacting days. As Jimmy stated earlier, wool "breathes", so it really is not an uncomfortable material to wear in the summer. Here in Southwest Missouri we have some hot summer days in July & August with high hudmity, and the wool kilt just really isn't that bad to wear, although I must confess that I hate heat personally.

When I was doing the reenacting thing, many times a tourista would come up ask "are you hot in all that clothing" -- I would point out that wool does breathe, and that my skin was not directly exposed to the sun as theirs was in a t-shirt and shorts, which makes you much hotter in my opnion.

Cheers,

Todd