Not real kilts?

**Kilt'n'Khuk** · 26th February 04, 06:53 PM

Several years ago I bought a little booklet at one of, if not the last Delco Scottish Games in PA. It is "All About Your Kilt" by Bob Martin. He makes a very strong case for the historicity of four yard kilts. Supposedly eight yard, knife pleated kilts did not exist before the late nineteenth/early twentieth century. Eight yard kilts look great but from what I remember of mine when it still fit They are not really comfortable compared to kilts with less fabric.

P.S. Hey Bear! Get working on Willie's kilt! (and mine too)

**Graham** · 26th February 04, 08:13 PM

Hello Kilt'n'Khuk, welcome to the forum.

I think both 4 and 8 yard have a place.
I wouldn't think of wearing an 8 yard down the beach on a hot day, my 4 yard Bear is great for summer, but take me up in the mountains where it's cooler and I would feel naked in it (not to mention exposed). Up there and anywhere on a cool day I feel both comfortable and warm in my Cheapkilts 8 yard blend or 8 yard worsted wool.

When I was sitting here .. http://www.camriversigns.com.au/home/page20.html
on a very cold day, I could not have been more comfortable, it was heaven on earth

**Blu (Ontario)** · 26th February 04, 08:31 PM

How cold is cold, Graham

blu

**Kiltedfirepiper** · 13th September 05, 06:00 AM

I will be honest, the first "kilt" I ever wore was actually a wool kilted skirt that hung right. I also had a few great kilts I wore for SCA events ( but you cant wear those out to a bar w/o some serious wierd looks ) so browsing E bay I found a Gordon Highlanders kilt military weight (56 yrs old when i got it ) with a prince charlie jacket, a glengarry w/ badge, plain sporran, diced hose, spats, and pipers gillies all for $500 at the time I lived in Tucson Az and I wore it whenever I could. it got warm sometimes, but it wasnt unbarable (sp) if I spilled something on it, it got handwashed in cold water with woolite and hung wet. I would then use my fingers to squeegee the pleats ( hold the pleat inbetween two fingers at the base of the stich and pull down) the pleats come out very nice, and the kilt is clean.... I know some will say " you HAVE to dry clean a "traditional" kilt.....but I say sheep got wet in the rain and their coats didnt shrink! 6 years later I still have the gordon kilt ( in great shape BTW), and now I am buying a Cameron of erecht(sp) kilt (made 1952) for 183.78 USD
from an Aussie gentleman which should be here in about 2 weeks!

alls I need is 5 more and I got one for everyday of the week

I respect the "new/ non trad." kilts their just not for me. no matter the weather I will wear my big heavy bulky beasts and love every second of it!!

I've worn it in temps from -5 F. to +118 and nary a problem!

I dont know where I was going with this post ......my train of thought must have derailed a wahile back...
oh well

yours aye,
Scott

**Graham** · 13th September 05, 06:16 AM

Boy, you dragged up an ancient post here! ;-)

**James** · 13th September 05, 07:53 AM

Wow-this is getting very near 'thin ice' time, and areas I'd prefer not to enter, such as what defines a kilt.

Whilst such arguments as 8 v 4 yards are really non arguments-for the amount of material can depend on such things as the girth of the wearer, and say box v the more accepted pleating.

Could I suggest that the real test is of a maker regardless of location with certain skills:-

To make a well fitting masculine garment, that enhances the wearer.

To work with the wearer to select the right weight of material for the use to which the kilt is to be put: top illustrate this I have both lightweight and heavy kilts-to suit say wandering about town in summer-or being out and about in the country in possibly bad weather.

The same applies to the actual tartan-again I have dress for formal and more fun occasions; and I also have more sombre hunting variants for day to day more rough wear.

Too a maker that will advise as to how to get the best, in respect of the amount of money that can be afforded. Here again I've found that makers without reducing their price/standards will help in respect of say the weight-maybe a cheaper lighter weight being adequate for the use to which the kilt will be put. Or to quite rightly advise that my bright ideas will not work if I want a decent kilt.

So it really comes down to working with the maker so as to get the right kilt, that looks good. Sadly too a decent kilt is expensive.

James

**Mike n NC** · 13th September 05, 10:28 AM

<with the sound of knuckles cracking in the background>
EhhhHemmm! Perhaps this "gentleman" would like to meet this "lady" in a kilt for a "friendly" discussion?

Sales pitch all the way... Of course MY 1903 HUPMOBILE WITH THE ORIGINAL TIRES will serve you BETTER than these modern vehicles. Why they don't even have a back-up steam tank, they aren't REAL CARS!!

Mike

**Harleyhighlander** · 1st October 05, 06:15 PM

I have a few kilts one is a great kilt, the other a traditional that I had made for me in scotland. it took about 3 months to get. The point I think about real kits V. fake kilts would be the same as whiskeys.
take bourbon to be called bourbon it has to be made in Kentucky. a reason Jack Daniels is called sour mash it is made in Tenn. same ingrediants same process. Just as Scotch has to be made in scotland.
If it looks and feels good to you wear it.