I'll start with the disclaimer that what follows is simply my opinion and that I don't corner the market on kilt-wearing advice, so feel free to disagree.

That being said, for a while I thought that 8-yd, 16oz. kilts, referred to as "tanks" on this forum, were the thing. Then I realized that they were really uncomfortable to wear in the situations I was typically wearing them in. When I took off my kilt at the end of a day I felt like I had been released from a heavy, sweaty, wool prison. Now I exclusively wear heavyweight 4yd box-pleats and 5yd knife pleats by Matt Newsome and couldn't rave about these styles of kilts more. There's a couple reasons for this-

1. I really think that 16oz fabric is definitely the best for kilts. The setts are larger, the fabric holds pleats better, and it is more hard-wearing than lighter weight fabrics. Additionally, it is often available in a wider range of tartans than 13oz. fabrics.

2. I believe that 8yds of 16oz fabric is just too much to put in a kilt. Figuring 2yds for the overapron/underapron leaves roughly 6yds of fabric to squeeze into 1/2 my hip measurement- approx. 21". The result is that the sheer weight of the back of the kilt is a constant tugging presence. I'm convinced that this is one of the main reasons that most kilts that one sees are worn too low. After 3 hours walking around at a highland games, gravity ultimately wins. 4yd box-pleated and 5 yd knife-pleated kilts offer a garment that is balanced and comfortable to wear, whether its walking, sitting, or driving in a car.

3. Traditionally kilts were made of less cloth than 8yds. In my mind, these historic kilts, created at a time when kilts were everyday wear instead of "formal dress", better reflect a time-tested version of the garment. I'm all for tradition, especially when it's more practical.

4. Because these kilts use less fabric, they are less expensive than an 8yd, 16oz "tank". Since I like many different tartans and have no allegience to any particular "clan" sett, I like the ability to own more kilts for my money, thus perpetuating the "jonesing" phenomenon.

If you haven't tried a lower-yardage kilt I encourage you to take the plunge. If you're like me you'll never go back.

Cordially,
David