celtic croft great kilt advise

[corbmonster]

Ok, so to re-phrase the question and get back on point: to those that have a great kilt (or have worn them for a day) what size do you recommend? 4, or 5 yard? I already have your opinion pleated, and thank you for your $0.02 It is appreciated.

[hoosier8]

Ok, so to re-phrase the question and get back on point: to those that have a great kilt (or have worn them for a day) what size do you recommend? 4, or 5 yard? I already have your opinion pleated, and thank you for your $0.02 It is appreciated.

The longer length is for larger waists. I have a 36 inch waist and could easily use a 4 or 4.5 yard kilt. I bought 5 yards because I had the same questions. Since the ends are un-pleated, about a yard, the rest is what ends up pleated. If you get 4 yards that means about 3 yards pleated, probably plenty.

[Elizabeth]

Their sizing information;
Sizing:
A 4 yard kilt will fit up to about a 34 inch waist, a 5 yard kilt will fit up to about a 44 inch waist, and a 6 yard kilt will fit up to about a 50 inch waist. If you are larger than this please contact us for pricing on larger kilts. Also, If your waist size is close to one of these limits, consider the next size larger if you want deeper pleats or pleats closer together. For example:
If you have a 34 inch waist, a 4 yd greatkilt will have pleats 1.5 - 2 inches wide and 3-4 inches deep. A 5 yd greatkilt will have pleats approximately 1 inch wide and 3-4 inches deep or 1.5 - 2 inches wide and 6-8 inches deep. In this example a 6 yd greatkilt would be overkill with a 34 inch waist, but it would have pleats about 1 inch wide and 6-8 inches deep.
4 yds (fits up to a 34in waist)
5 yds (fits up to a 44in waist)
6 yds (fits up to a 50in waist)

With that information it would very much depend on what look you want and if you intend (tho it often happens unintentionally) to "grow". I personally would probably go with the 5 yard.

[Calgacus]

Well - the bottom would be alright, as it falls in pleats just fine, but above the belt there is ALL THAT FABRIC, just sloshing around - I found that I was clearing tables as I passed by and catching the furniture with - I think 5 yards - it was too much, even when I made the bottom part longer and put a sash around the top to try to control it all.

A bit of minimalism doesn't go amiss with a great kilt - not when worn indoors, and I suspect that scrub and heather landscapes were not around when the great kilt was being worn, even though they are so common now they are there as a result of modern-ish methods of land management.

Anne the Pleater

To address your first point, I have a theory which I am working on and gathering evidence for, that the great kilt was first folded in half before being pleated and worn. For a typical 4.5 yard kilt, this results in just over 2 yards and about 6 box pleats, for a man of my size (33" waist). Much less likely to clear your tables of ornaments, but still not the best garment for inside the modern household to be sure. I suspect it was more of an outdoor garment anyway.

As for the vegetation cover in the highlands during the relevant period, it was not so very different than it is now. The highlanders of the time were primarily cattle herders and the land was fairly heavily grazed by cattle and deer. The variety of plants and grasses would have been more varied than it is now (sheep eat almost anything), but it was still essentially the same. Then, as now, the ground cover was/is generally less than knee-deep so walking in the highlands does virtually no damage to a kilt, great or otherwise. It can fairly punish your hose though.

[hoosier8]

To address your first point, I have a theory which I am working on and gathering evidence for, that the great kilt was first folded in half before being pleated and worn. For a typical 4.5 yard kilt, this results in just over 2 yards and about 6 box pleats, for a man of my size (33" waist). Much less likely to clear your tables of ornaments, but still not the best garment for inside the modern household to be sure. I suspect it was more of an outdoor garment anyway.

As for the vegetation cover in the highlands during the relevant period, it was not so very different than it is now. The highlanders of the time were primarily cattle herders and the land was fairly heavily grazed by cattle and deer. The variety of plants and grasses would have been more varied than it is now (sheep eat almost anything), but it was still essentially the same. Then, as now, the ground cover was/is generally less than knee-deep so walking in the highlands does virtually no damage to a kilt, great or otherwise. It can fairly punish your hose though.

I believe the shirts worn were pretty long and would cover you well indoors and also cover you somewhat if a wind came up and blew your kilt up.

[Calgacus]

I believe the shirts worn were pretty long and would cover you well indoors and also cover you somewhat if a wind came up and blew your kilt up.

Indeed so, that is my understanding of it too.

[corbmonster]

Their sizing information;
Sizing:
A 4 yard kilt will fit up to about a 34 inch waist, a 5 yard kilt will fit up to about a 44 inch waist, and a 6 yard kilt will fit up to about a 50 inch waist. If you are larger than this please contact us for pricing on larger kilts. Also, If your waist size is close to one of these limits, consider the next size larger if you want deeper pleats or pleats closer together. For example:
If you have a 34 inch waist, a 4 yd greatkilt will have pleats 1.5 - 2 inches wide and 3-4 inches deep. A 5 yd greatkilt will have pleats approximately 1 inch wide and 3-4 inches deep or 1.5 - 2 inches wide and 6-8 inches deep. In this example a 6 yd greatkilt would be overkill with a 34 inch waist, but it would have pleats about 1 inch wide and 6-8 inches deep.
4 yds (fits up to a 34in waist)
5 yds (fits up to a 44in waist)
6 yds (fits up to a 50in waist)

With that information it would very much depend on what look you want and if you intend (tho it often happens unintentionally) to "grow". I personally would probably go with the 5 yard.

Thank you for your info on the pleating sizes Elizabeth. I knew about their recommendation. I was just wanting some more feedback from others who have had great kilts in about my size and thought 4 yards wasn't enough, or 5 yards was too much. The videos I'v seen: everyone says 4-5 yards. I'll call the shop, but i'm thinking I'll go with the 5 yard. If it's too much, I could cut some off and use that to have a sash for my non-great kilt (I know there is a specific name, but it escapes me right now).

[Sir Didymous]

I have a very heavy weight (not sure on the specific ounce/yard) great kilt that is 4.5yds. At a 46in. waist, I find it to be more than adequate in terms of length. My pleats are not sewn as I use it for reenactments; there is a drawstring though. It saves time, effort, and space when pleating. Also, the smaller yardage does cut back on the bulk up top. The width is the same as with lesser yardages, but that length puts more bulk to contend with.

[corbmonster]

I have a very heavy weight (not sure on the specific ounce/yard) great kilt that is 4.5yds. At a 46in. waist, I find it to be more than adequate in terms of length. My pleats are not sewn as I use it for reenactments; there is a drawstring though. It saves time, effort, and space when pleating. Also, the smaller yardage does cut back on the bulk up top. The width is the same as with lesser yardages, but that length puts more bulk to contend with.

Thanks Didymous. Would you say your kilt is plenty enough to wrap yourself up in as a cloak? As if it were a cold day? I'm also curious: is your kilt fringed on either / both ends?

[Sir Didymous]

It's funny you should ask as I was wrapped up in it when I was typing that reply. The top works very well in a large variety of configurations including a cloak (with or without your head covered). My kilt has raw edges that work sort of like a natural fringing on both ends. Post number 13 in this thread has a couple of shots of the kilt in question. Note though that I look a bit disheveled, it looks a lot nicer when I'm better dressed. http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-advice-78638/