Light weight Vs. Heavy weight

[athensohkiltguy]

I purchased an economy casual kilt last summer from Scotweb in mediumweight 13 oz wool and have worn it often. It inspired me to try my own hand at kiltmaking. I have made a casual knife pleated 5 yd kilt in 16 oz Black Watch for a student and he wears it throughout the year. Injust finished one for myself in 13oz messy Spirit of Scotland that I really love and expect to wear frequently. Have worn my 16oz Royal Stewart box pleated throughout the year since I finished that last fall as well, and it is comfortable. In my limited experience, box pleaters are comfy anytime in med or heavyweight wool, casuals are best in med weight, and my 8 harder has been most comfortable in cooler seasons (it is 16oz Isle of Skye).
Those are the recommendations I have been giving to area folks who want me to make them a kilt (dedicated amateur style).
Harvey

[Fitzy]

For those looking for a more comfortable, lighter weight kilt, I generally recommend a lower-yardage kilt made from heavy weight cloth. This way you still get the benefits of the heavy weight wool (wrinkles less, hold's it's shape more, etc), but you still have a lighter weight kilt overall.

I know that my four yard box pleated kilts are lighter and cooler than eight yard kilts made from a 10oz or 13oz cloth even. So why not have the best of both worlds!?

Thanks to your e-mails on the subject and then yours and John Hart's talents, my Girlfriend and I now consider ourselves to, "have the best of both worlds" !

In adition to some other benifits I mentioned in this thread.
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...57/index2.html

Paul

[athensohkiltguy]

For some reason, my devious iPhone decided to correct "med wt" to "messy" for Spirit of Scotland, but it's anything bit that!
Harvey

[saxandpipes]

I've just got myself a 5 yard 16oz knife-pleat kilt for my upcoming wedding (next summer, in a HOT country!). I also have a 10 yard 16oz which is very warm, but very satisfying to "wear" (I'm reminded of the rather fitting translations to various European languages... "to carry").

I was advised here by people more knowledgeable than myself to opt for the lesser yardage, but keep the heavy-weight fabric... glad I heeded the advise- I recommend it too. The pleats really need some weight in them to sit and swing nicely.

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Michael

[DrCelt]

Obviously if you're wearing it in warmer climates, the lighter weight is cooler. If it's colder or very windy where you live though, you'll want the heavier weight to keep it down and keep you warmer.