Kilt weight

**Robbie** · 22nd March 04, 01:02 PM

Just a passing comment - Alaskan mentioned the 10oz weight wool from Lochcarron, who are, I am led to understand, the world's largest tartan weavers. They have their own website at www.lochcarron.co.uk and it is interesting that they consider the 10oz as only being suitable for trousers or ladies kilted skirts. One other useful item from their site is that the tartans listed there are ones which are readily available - much more practical information than those sites which simply list ALL tartans.

I am also intrigued by the number of writers who have 4yd casual kilts. The shortest casual one I have is 5yds and I know of several Scottish kiltmakers who consider anything less is unsuitable for a man's kilt (not enough material for number/depth of pleats) and 4yds is only suitable for a ladies kilted skirt. I have absolutely no personal experience of this shorter length and just wondered what the wearers thought of them in terms of appearance, pleating, "swing" etc.

**Colin** · 22nd March 04, 01:06 PM

I have no problem with either of my 4-yard kilts in terms of pleats or appearance. One of the nice features of Bear kilts is that they look like traditional wool kilts. In terms of swing, no problem there at all. The best part is that I can just throw them in the washer and dryer without damaging the pleats.

I will get a traditional wool kilt one of these days, but for now I enjoy the lightweight and lack of maintanence needed with my two 4-yard kilts.

**bikercelt1** · 22nd March 04, 01:24 PM

I have two of the casual kilts from Scottish Lion. I was thinking that they were 4 yrd kilts but upon looking at their catalogue again it doesn't say that and it doesn't say what weight they are. They are much lighter than my other traditional kilt but most people don't notice the difference. The pleats are much shallower but the still have fairly good swing compared to my Utilikilts and they are much more comfortable to wear on hot sunny days when I'm physically active. Do keep in mind though that if you want the extra 2" rise for the belt you have to measure that way or you will end up with a kilt that rides at the so-called "fashion waist".

Jamie

**Kilt'n'Khuk** · 22nd March 04, 07:06 PM

I have a Scottish Lion casual 4yd in the Maple Leaf Tartan in Lochcarron Reiver material (10 oz). I would only recommend that weight for CALM warm days. As for yardage, soldiers in the Highland regiments in the eighteenth century were given three to three and a half yards of tartan cloth for "philabegs". according to the book "18th Century Highlanders".
From several feet away most people probably wouldn't notice much of a difference. Scottish tailors don't have to wear kilts in Pennsylvania in the summer so they can think anything they want.

**bear** · 22nd March 04, 08:41 PM

Originally Posted by Robbie

I am also intrigued by the number of writers who have 4yd casual kilts. The shortest casual one I have is 5yds and I know of several Scottish kiltmakers who consider anything less is unsuitable for a man's kilt (not enough material for number/depth of pleats) and 4yds is only suitable for a ladies kilted skirt. I have absolutely no personal experience of this shorter length and just wondered what the wearers thought of them in terms of appearance, pleating, "swing" etc.

Robbie,
To be honest, most of the kilts I make are for guys who need at least five yards of material. I have never charged extra for the extra yardage.
A '4 yard' Bear Kilt sometimes uses 6 yards of fabric.
I estimate that for 100 kilts, I probably give away 50 yards of material.
I am currently considering charging extra for each extra yard of fabric. The ideals I started Bear Kilts with are not all practical from a business standpoint. I want to get as many guys in kilts that I can, but I'd like to make some money doing it, too.

**Alaskan** · 22nd March 04, 11:18 PM

Originally Posted by Robbie

I am also intrigued by the number of writers who have 4yd casual kilts. The shortest casual one I have is 5yds and I know of several Scottish kiltmakers who consider anything less is unsuitable for a man's kilt (not enough material for number/depth of pleats) and 4yds is only suitable for a ladies kilted skirt.

I wonder how much of that is based on the size of the waist. My kilt waist is only 29 inches and I can't imagine that this wouldn't make 4 yards go a lot further on me.

**Kilt'n'Khuk** · 23rd March 04, 06:05 AM

Bear's post inspired me to measure my "4 yard" kilt. It is indeed five yards.

**Jimmy Carbomb** · 25th March 04, 09:37 AM

Originally Posted by Alaskan

I wonder how much of that is based on the size of the waist. My kilt waist is only 29 inches and I can't imagine that this wouldn't make 4 yards go a lot further on me.

A good rule of thumb is that a casual kilt should be measured as: One and a half yards of material for every ten inches of the waist... minimum.