New and need advice about kilt weight/yardage

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Hi,

Not down under, but last week temperatures here in Virginia were humid, and into the 30s c.; my 16oz six yard kilt was much more comfortable than my 16oz eight yard kilt.

I personally wouldn't buy a kilt made from light weight fabrics as they wrinkle like mad and don't hang as well as the heavier 16oz wool kilts.

[John McQuillen]

Just as a followup....how different is 13oz to 16oz? I know people are saying use less yardage, but most of the kilt makers here in Aus seem to use 13oz as standard?

[billsides]

Just as a followup....how different is 13oz to 16oz? I know people are saying use less yardage, but most of the kilt makers here in Aus seem to use 13oz as standard?

13 oz worsted wool is great but 16 oz is best for wrinkle resistance and swing. 13 oz kilts have sharper pleats when new and 8 yarders look great. 16 oz is claimed heavy enough to pull out wrinkles in use but I find my 13 oz wool kilts stay nice without extra attention. The kilt that attracts the greatest attention is 16 oz 10 yard wool yet a 16 oz 5 yard wool I have is is poor by comparison. Machine sewn ones often look weird where the pleats are sewn down, hand sewn is better but more expensive. The decider may be the tartan because many are spun in one weight only and at a single mill so you may have no choice. Regardless, go for the larger yardage if you want visual appeal but less weight is easier to dance in and marginally cooler in summer but 16 ox is better in winter. Don't go lighter than 13 oz wool. Some manufacturers charge more for lighter kilts and most strongly recommend 16 oz if a choice is offered. Poly Viscose and Acrylic are cheap, adequate for casual use and can look OK but some are truly horrid and many blow up easily outside. None will last as long as a quality woollen kilt.

Hope this helps you decide. Get one made to measure, it can be arranged via the net at very attractive prices in Scotland and elsewhere, just measure yourself carefully!

Bill

[John McQuillen]

Thanks Bill,

I guess thats the next thing to deal with....making sure the measurements are correct. Scotweb seems to have some good instructions but I do worry a little about sizing.....its a long way to send it back....

[AKScott]

Just one idea-- I notice you are planning more than one kilt purchase.

Once you feel pretty good about your measurements, why not order a light weight synthetic kilt first - and see how it fits - before you order the nicer wool kilt for your wedding.

I too live many many miles from my nearest known kiltmaker - Steve in Victoria, BC that I know of. A bit of a hike just to be measured. I purchased an inexpensive kilt first, put it on, took some pictures and posted them here and then had a basic understanding of what was going on when I ordered my tank. Waist and seat measurements aren't too hard, it is getting the length right that made it worth the trouble.

I can say that at +10°F the difference between a 5 yard 13oz kilt and an 8 yard 16oz kilt is barely noticeable while standing still shoveling snow (both are warmish), and barely noticeable walking back up a freshly shoveled driveway, (both are brisk).


I like Anne's idea about a cotton base layer for hot weather, makes sense to me.

Best of luck.

[John McQuillen]

Just one idea-- I notice you are planning more than one kilt purchase.

Once you feel pretty good about your measurements, why not order a light weight synthetic kilt first - and see how it fits - before you order the nicer wool kilt for your wedding.

Absolutely Scott, I don't really want a synthetic at all, but I do plan on ordering a lighter weight wool thats for casual use first and seeing how I go..... same with jacket...I'll get the casual first....casual doesn't have to be an exact fit....but certainly I want the wedding one to be.

[fluter]

PV is cheap and quite reasonable and similar but not as good as 13 oz wool whereas acrylic is cheapest and best for comfort summer or winter but will never stay looking good that long and is light so very iffy when windy! Hope this helps.

Bill Sides Melbourne

Bill, may I just quibble about acrylic's being comfortable for summer?

In my conditions (high humidity), acrylic does not breathe nearly so well as wool or good PV. It's high summer here in the Auld South, so I'm very conscious of that consideration. It might be different if the humidity were 20 percent, but here it's 40 percent as I write, and was over 80 when I got up this morning.

Marton Mills PV, on the other hand, is the bomb for our summer weather. I have a 16 ounce 4-yard under construction. I'll report back on that, one of these days.

[billsides]

Bill, may I just quibble about acrylic's being comfortable for summer?

In my conditions (high humidity), acrylic does not breathe nearly so well as wool or good PV. It's high summer here in the Auld South, so I'm very conscious of that consideration. It might be different if the humidity were 20 percent, but here it's 40 percent as I write, and was over 80 when I got up this morning.

Marton Mills PV, on the other hand, is the bomb for our summer weather. I have a 16 ounce 4-yard under construction. I'll report back on that, one of these days.

Hi Ken,

Acrylic is the usual material found in cheap kilts and is typically a loose weave so is light and airy for summer use but since air is great insulator, they are also warm in winter. Humidity is often high in Melbourne in summer or winter and makes temperature extremes feel worse, we are not dry like Australia's outback. Worsted wool kilts have dense weaves so cannot breathe as well but can wick moisture but it their other virtues that make them beat acrylic and PV soundly, they don't pill, hold their shape better and are not flammable. For loafing around, acrylic in my opinion is the best as it washes easily, is cheap and more comfortable regardless of the temperature or humidity. Footy followers love them for that reason but they will not stay looking good for long but, being so cheap, that is not a big issue, use up old ones as I do in the garage, just keep them away from the grinder and welder! They will last for ages in that role.

Bill

[Mark Stephenson]

I am very, very satisfied with my 16 oz kilts. I have 3 tanks, and another 5-yard kilt in the same 16 oz tartan as one of my 8-yarders. The 5-yard kilt is more comfortable in hot weather. My recommendation for hot weather is a 5 or 6 yard kilt in 16 oz wool.