What to consider when shoping for a kilt?

[Lanny68]

Well, I have decide I am going to buy my first kilt. I live in the southern USA so I must consider the heat and humidity when purchasing my kilt. When looking for a respectable kilt maker, what do I need to consider? What weight should the wool be? With proper care, how long will my kilt last? Can anyone help me sort making my first kilt purchase?

ith:

[cck]

This is a huge order. What type of a kilt are you looking for? Traditional-tartan or contemporary? How much do you want to spend - $50 - $500 - $1000? Are you looking toward getting an entire outfit? Getting a kilt is like getting into quick-sand. I started out with one and suddently I have 7. There is always one more thing to buy.
A few answers: A good wool kilt can last for many, many years. Kilt material weight - I live in central Texas and it is HOT here. Our winters are like Scottish summers. I look for light weight wool I can wear (others will criticize me for not having the proper "swoosh") but I am into comfort. Where to shop? You will be swamped with responses from member on this site. Have fun with your new venture.

[Jock Scot]

Oh gosh, we all will have our own priorities, but for me; "the very best that I can afford".

[Tobus]

I live in central Texas and it is HOT here. Our winters are like Scottish summers. I look for light weight wool I can wear (others will criticize me for not having the proper "swoosh") but I am into comfort.

I live just a couple miles west of cck (in the Texas Hill Country), where today's weather will be 102 degrees Fahrenheit (about 39 degrees for those who only speak Celsius). A typical summer day.

But I still prefer 16-oz wool in my kilts. I tend to find (and I think many others here agree) that it's the amount of material in the kilt that makes the biggest difference in comfort when it's hot, not necessarily the weight of material. In fact, I'd bet that a lot of folks wouldn't even notice the difference between 13-oz and 16-oz material.

If I'm going to kilt up in really hot weather, I'll wear a 4-yard box-pleated kilt to reduce the amount of material wrapped around me. But if I had to choose only one kilt for all weather, I'd go with the 8-yard 16-oz wool kilt.

As for choosing a respectable kiltmaker, I actually find that the best source of information is right here on this forum. Listen to what others say about their kiltmakers. If you notice a trend, where a lot of people always rave about a certain one, then that's the most important information you could get. Folks here tend to be pickier and more attentive to minor details than the average kilt wearer. So if the rabble here tend to be happy with a kiltmaker, then that's about as good as it can possibly get.

[O'Searcaigh]

Oh gosh, we all will have our own priorities, but for me; "the very best that I can afford".

What Jock said - absolutely! Re: weight: I have a 16oz and a 13oz both full 8yrd wool kilts and I really can't tell much difference. The only reason I got the 13oz is because the weaver didn't make that tartan (which I very much wanted) in 16oz. I also live in the southern U.S. and don't usually wear my wool kilts in the summer unless it is something "special" like today, August 1 -- anniversary of the "proscription" -- but I sometimes wear a denim or heavy cotton one. If it is a "dress up affair" I don't find a wool kilt any more uncomfortable (actually a lot more comfortable) than wearing a suit. But then, I hate pants (trousers) in any case.

[Duke of Delrio]

If I only had one kilt, and your first kilt will put you in that situation, I would buy the best wool heavyweight 8 yard kilt I could afford. I have worn them in all weathers from freezing to sweltering and have been pleased with the comfort and appearance of the kilts. A good wool kilt should, with proper care, easily outlast the original purchaser. I don't mean to denegrate any of the fine PV kilts offered on this site at all. I own PV kilts and have been more than satisfied with their appearance and service. It is only that my personal preference is wool, and if I had only one kilt, that is what it would be.

I would also suggest that you do not rush your decision in the excitement of getting that first kilt. Read, research, compare and then decide upon the best information you can get.

You will find, as I have, the advertisers on this site to be of great assistance as you look for that first kilt. May it be all you wish for it.

[slohairt]

Most of my customers hail from the southern states and usually order 16 oz. cloth. The only variable (like Tobus said) would be the yardage involved.

[Skiballa]

Oh gosh, we all will have our own priorities, but for me; "the very best that I can afford".

This, and there's no rush, take your time, ask questions(which you're doing already), and find the maker who has what you're looking for. Happy Hunting!

[M. A. C. Newsome]

You are not that far from me -- I live just a couple hours drive north of Atlanta on 441, in western NC. I've worn kilts regularly for fifteen years now; I own several, and have owned in the past several others. My go-to kilts for all seasons of the year are four yard box pleated kilts made from 16 oz heavy weight cloth. They have all the advantages of good, quality heavy weight cloth, but only weight half as much as the typical eight yard kilt, and so feel so much lighter.

That's my preference. That being said, there is nothing wrong with wanting an 8 yard kilt made from 13 oz cloth, or a six yard knife pleated kilt made from 16 oz cloth, or any other permutation.

If it were me, I'd take a vacation to the mountains, drive a couple of hours north to Franklin, NC, and pop into the Scottish Tartans Museum to see some of the different options in person before making up your mind.
Aye,
Matt

[AKScott]

If it were me, I'd take a vacation to the mountains, drive a couple of hours north to Franklin, NC, and pop into the Scottish Tartans Museum to see some of the different options in person before making up your mind.
Aye,
Matt

This is great advice, seeing a few kilts in person before you order. I couldn't do that where I live. Another thing you can do while you are there (probably) is get measured for a kilt by someone who knows what they are doing - something else I couldn't get done near my home.

In Alaska winter I don't find PV kilts to be any warmer than 16oz wool (I am up to four kilts now, 2 wool, 2PV). The biggest variable in cold weather is how much cold air there is inside my kilt is directly related to how much I walk around.

You might think about ordering a PV for really hot weather as your first kilt - I tend use mine when running the barbecue or fooling around in the garage and so forth. That way you can get kilted without a huge initial investment, and have a serviceable light weight kilt for really hot weather.

Once you have worn it for perhaps a few weeks you can specify the measurements you want in a more expensive kilt with confidence.

Just an idea. I have noticed in previous threads the residents of the hotter southern tier US States often have kilts in lighter weight fabrics and lower yardage and are quite happy with them. I have the opposite problem here of course.