Short yardage tank?

[Kid Cossack]

I have a couple skimpy tanks that are on the 5-6 yard range and absolutely love them when it is hot out. I also have a couple wool/PV blends that are both handsewns that behave very good and I've used for many occasions. I like the slim lines of them for day wear. Like you said I think the proof is in the material used. If it doesn't have considerable weight and swish it doesn't even come close to a tank.

I've got some of the short yardage kilts, mostly in what we think of as "casual" material---a Farquharson PV from USAK, the Utilikilts, three PKs (desert and forest MARPAT, flannel lined denim) and so on. Now that I've got the wool kilts, I'm starting to understand what the "wool buzz" was all about.

I'm still intrigued by a wool blend short yardage, either box or knife; maybe it will be enough encouragement to break out the sewing machine.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I figure that it's always better to go with the "house specialty" (so to speak).

You're not going to get any argument from me there!
:-)
M

[Kid Cossack]

I'll start with the disclaimer that what follows is simply my opinion and that I don't corner the market on kilt-wearing advice, so feel free to disagree.

That being said, for a while I thought that 8-yd, 16oz. kilts, referred to as "tanks" on this forum, were the thing. Then I realized that they were really uncomfortable to wear in the situations I was typically wearing them in. When I took off my kilt at the end of a day I felt like I had been released from a heavy, sweaty, wool prison. Now I exclusively wear heavyweight 4yd box-pleats and 5yd knife pleats by Matt Newsome and couldn't rave about these styles of kilts more. There's a couple reasons for this-

1. I really think that 16oz fabric is definitely the best for kilts. The setts are larger, the fabric holds pleats better, and it is more hard-wearing than lighter weight fabrics. Additionally, it is often available in a wider range of tartans than 13oz. fabrics.

2. I believe that 8yds of 16oz fabric is just too much to put in a kilt. Figuring 2yds for the overapron/underapron leaves roughly 6yds of fabric to squeeze into 1/2 my hip measurement- approx. 21". The result is that the sheer weight of the back of the kilt is a constant tugging presence. I'm convinced that this is one of the main reasons that most kilts that one sees are worn too low. After 3 hours walking around at a highland games, gravity ultimately wins. 4yd box-pleated and 5 yd knife-pleated kilts offer a garment that is balanced and comfortable to wear, whether its walking, sitting, or driving in a car.

3. Traditionally kilts were made of less cloth than 8yds. In my mind, these historic kilts, created at a time when kilts were everyday wear instead of "formal dress", better reflect a time-tested version of the garment. I'm all for tradition, especially when it's more practical.

4. Because these kilts use less fabric, they are less expensive than an 8yd, 16oz "tank". Since I like many different tartans and have no allegience to any particular "clan" sett, I like the ability to own more kilts for my money, thus perpetuating the "jonesing" phenomenon.

If you haven't tried a lower-yardage kilt I encourage you to take the plunge. If you're like me you'll never go back.

Cordially,
David

David:

I had started this thread three or four times, and discarded it each time, thinking that I had simply blathered on. What I had been trying to say, you have said very well. You hit all the points I had wanted to make, and did so "real good!"

I've got some short yardage kilts, and I really like them, and will continue to order more as I upgrade my collection.

Best,

Lewis

[auld argonian]

Actually, you sort of read my mind on this one. I have the 5 yard in 16 oz from Scottishkilts and, as much as the thought of an 8 yd'er is tempting, I've had to wonder if the 5 yd'er isn't more practical. I also wonder if having one in a 13 oz wool wouldn't be handy for this summer weather...the material is still heavy enough to feel good.

The only thing that the Scottishkilts kilt doesn't have is the reverse pleat on the underapron...that I miss and would try to insist on in any future "short yardage" kilts. If it means popping for a little bit more material, having the reverse pleat and the double depth pleat on the front apron wold be a must. If anyone knows that any of the kiltmakers who do a "short yardage" do it with the reverse and double depth pleats, please chime in.

Best

AA

[Panache]

I have one of Matt Newsome's handsewn 5 yard knife pleated kilts in 16 oz. and a 7 1/2 yard Scottish made handsewn "tank" in 13 oz. I have to say that having the lots and lots of little pleats looks really nice. However, I have worn my "tank" to SCD dancing exactly once. It was too hot and weighed too much. I find that my 5 yard is extremely comfortable and while it has less pleats the heavier fabric gives it excellent swing. In the company of those wearing 8 yard "tanks" I have never once felt that I was attired any less grandly than my companions.

Cheers

Jamie

[macwilkin]

To echo others in this thread: I wore my new Newsome box-pleat kilt to our St. Andrew's Society's annual Bannockburn Ball this weekend, and I was very impressed with how "cool" it really was with the formal "rig". It was a very humid evening, and the venue is located on the banks of the Finley River, but I could certainly tell a difference from my 8-yd. Hector Russell kilt.

Like others here, I've become a bit of a box-pleat convert. Matt's kilts are worth every penny.

Cheers,

Todd

[Don Patrick]

To echo others in this thread: I wore my new Newsome box-pleat kilt to our St. Andrew's Society's annual Bannockburn Ball this weekend, and I was very impressed with how "cool" it really was with the formal "rig". It was a very humid evening, and the venue is located on the banks of the Finley River, but I could certainly tell a difference from my 8-yd. Hector Russell kilt.

Like others here, I've become a bit of a box-pleat convert. Matt's kilts are worth every penny.

Cheers,

Todd

It's good to know I made the right choice - ordering the box-pleat from Matt. Hearing all this in a way is good, in another anxious.

[Barclay]

If you haven't tried a lower-yardage kilt I encourage you to take the plunge. If you're like me you'll never go back.

What he said.

While I love my 8-yarder, and it is THE thing to wear when marching in a parade to really get that swish and sway - I find that I'm not on parade all that often. When walking normally, and under normal use constraints, I find my "casual (wool) kilts" to be more comfortable (definitely easier on the back after hours of standing) and just as dressy and impressive looking, easier to sweep, and just generally more comfortable. (And a whole lot easier to bunch and lift during those personal moments that nature makes us endure.)

Good topic and a couple of you have vocalized my thoughts beautifully.