Warm Climate Kilts

**Kilted Christian** · 3rd May 07, 06:25 AM

I am beginning the kilt collection and am thinking about the mix of medium and heavy weight kilts, living here in NC.

For those of you who live in warm climates or during the heat of summer (upper 80s and 90s), do you find yourselves shying away from your 16oz wool kilts in favor of medium weights or blends? Here I am thinking about what you wear out and about, around town, etc., not just in your own home.

Cheers, Chris

**AllenJ** · 3rd May 07, 06:27 AM

I live in SC which has arguably higher temperatures than NC. I only have med and heavy and dont have problems with either. Be aware that the lighter the weight the cheaper it looks. I've never been so hot that I wished I was wearing a lighter weight tartan.

**auld argonian** · 3rd May 07, 06:58 AM

Ya can't go wrong with the PV kilts...USAK being one of the suppliers...great material.

Best

AA

**cavscout** · 3rd May 07, 07:17 AM

Be aware that the lighter the weight the cheaper it looks.

I'm not sure I agree with this. While a light weight wool will absolutely not hang and swing like a heavy weight wool, if it is made well it will look fine. Would one of us be able to tell the difference when put side by side with a HW wool, probably. The average person would not though.

And of course, PV would fall into the "lighter" catagory and I don't think they look cheap at all. Noticeably different from a HW wool but not cheap.

For hot weather, PV is the best solution. I love my USAK casuals in the Georgia summers. I still wear my Stillwater HW in the summer with no issue though, but I like the overall lighter weight of the casual kilt when the weather warms up.

All in all, temperature is not that big of a factor to me on kilt choice. How much money I have to spend is

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 3rd May 07, 07:17 AM

Most of my kilts are 4 yard box pleated kilts in 16 oz wool. I find myself comfortable in those year round.

I have a 4 yard box pleated kilt in 13 oz wool that is a little cool for the cold winter months, but is really great in the summer.

I have a couple of 4 yard Harris Tweed kilts. One is super thick and great for winter wear, but I'd never wear it in hot weather. The other is a bit lighter and ok for all year.

My 8 yard kilts I'll also wear year round and find them comfortable.

I'm thinking of making for myself this summer a 5 yard knife pleated kilt from a 12 oz wool for something lighter to wear.

I find what makes the kilt hot or cool is not so much the kilt itself but the accessories. In the summer I wear short sleeves, no bonnet. I tend to wear my hose pushed down more, and sometimes no hose at all, with sandals.

Aye,
Matt

**Tattoo Bradley** · 3rd May 07, 07:31 AM

I don't agree with the "lighter; cheaper looking" thought either. I think Cavscout hit that issue on the head. I have a 4 yd. box pleat in 16 oz. strome (by this guy

) sorry Matt LOL. and don't forsee any problems with it in the summer heat (SE NM = HOOOOOOOT.) I also have a 5 yd. knife pleated kilt made from 11 oz. wool, that I'm sure will get a lot of wear this summer. I did tend to shy from it this winter. I also have to throw in a voice of support for the PV tartans. I have three USA Kilts casuals and wear them regularly. They will undoubtedly be a summer favorite of mine. I had an acrylic kilt last summer that I have since sold. I've gotta say, that sucker was smoldering in the Arizona heat. Wore it once on that trip and not again. These are my megar experiences with the elements and kilts...

**Kilted Christian** · 3rd May 07, 07:36 AM

Thanks Matt and others.

Yesteday I was out and about (about 90 degrees out) with the 13oz 8 yarder, Chacos, sporran, and a t shirt, and it was a wee bit warm in the lower back under the cotton shirt after about 3 hours in and out of the car - so, sitting on the leather seat, no breathing didn't help things.

I was still thinking of some type of cotton work kilt like a Carhartt that would be casual, for sure, but not cheesy. Having said that, I haven't seen a poly kilt and there seems to be feelings on both sides with some people enjoying them just fine and others feeling like they are only for home, not for "in public."

I guess eventually you just develop a collection and then see what you gravitate towards on certain days and occasions.

Matt, I'll take my dimensions today. I think I like the Ulster tartan in the first image your site.

**mcvarmit** · 3rd May 07, 07:40 AM

great topic and just in time,
i live in northern new mexico, it gets hot 90-100's, but its a dry heat. i'm wanting to have Alexis Malcome make me a 5yd, 11 oz. wool, hillwalker kilt, i've been hesitant to order the kilt, thinking that it would be to hot for the summer, oh ya, its to be the swedish tartan. any points of view on this subject? i'm sure points of view will be all over the map, but let me hear them. just for reference i was wearing a SWK standard in temps that were about 50-60 degrees and i felt a little over heated.

semper fi

slick

**Cawdorian** · 3rd May 07, 07:41 AM

As the owner of both a 13 oz 8 yard wool tank and a 16 oz 9 yard wool tank, I can tell you there is a distinct difference in the weight and feel of the kilts. The 13 oz looks as good as the 16 oz, but is a little more comfortable during the warmer months. There is nothing like like the swing and feel of a 16 oz 8 or 9 yard wool kilt.

Most of the guys I have talked to here in Georgia buy the 13 oz kilts.

**Ayin McFye** · 3rd May 07, 08:04 AM

I asked a similar question not too long ago, and the overwelming consensus was that a Poly-Viscose Kilt would be great for hot weather. I live in Phoenix Arizona and it will reach 120 degrees at some point every year. PV breathes great, and is light weight. Plus wearing your PV kilt is even better than shorts, because of the better air draft. I am going to order my PV here soon, so that i can stay kilted all summer long.