The one most important factor, IMHO ....

[ForresterModern]

No trying to be a kilt snob or anything, but I have fallen into the 13 or (preferably) 16oz wool 8yd traditional kilt mode over the year and a half I have been doing this, and obviously with specific tartans with some meaning or particular appeal to me. I did recently, however, buy a 16oz wool casual 5-6yd as well as an 8yd PV (?16oz) with which I have been somewhat disappointed by comparison, although each suits the need for which it was purchased so I shouldn't be unhappy. Thorugh this latest set of buying experiences I have come to understand just exactly what kinds of compromises are made in going with less fabric, a casual cut, or non-wool fabric, and realise just exaclty why that does not suit my long term desires. So I am becoming a traditional 8yd hand or machine sewn kilt snob (okay, preferrer), and cannot wait for BArb T to get around to my 8yd handsewn Maple Leaf 16oz just to see the differences between it and my current machine sewns.

I do not squander money (unless, unlike anybody here, you believe that buying kilts itself is squandering money), as I buy what I consider to be good quality for the price paid (7 8yd machine sewn 13-160z kilts to date and paid well less than $300US for all but one, my first and in my specialty family tartan). I can only hope I get my money's worth out of the hand sewns in the future that I have gotten out of the machine sewns so far.

[Downix]

**always keeps an eye on their sales, hoping a tartan I like shows up... only one atm with a family connection is the Royal Stewart, and I've always felt like I was putting on heirs when I wear that tartan...**

[Alan H]

**always keeps an eye on their sales, hoping a tartan I like shows up... only one atm with a family connection is the Royal Stewart, and I've always felt like I was putting on heirs when I wear that tartan...**

I understand why you might feel funny wearing Royal Stewart, but then, seeing as I just pawed through a mess of surplus underwear, boxer shorts in Royal Stewart and Dress Gordon and Anderson the other day, I can't make myself get too worked up over it. But that's just me!

[The Barry]

I understand why you might feel funny wearing Royal Stewart, but then, seeing as I just pawed through a mess of surplus underwear, boxer shorts in Royal Stewart and Dress Gordon and Anderson the other day, I can't make myself get too worked up over it. But that's just me!

Nice! That cracked me up!

[Nick the DSM]

Yeah, the fabric is really important but the making of it, is also important.

[bricelythgoe]

Alan H.,

One last question. I have looked at those kilts at Burnett's and Struth. They look real nice, although it might be hard to find a tartan that would work. What would you say is the biggest difference I would see between a 5 yard and an 8 yard kilt? (lets assume they are both machine sewn.) Would someone, at a formal function, look at me and say "Oh no, you have a 5yard kilt!" or something like that? Is it noticable?

Again, I appreciate all your help.

Brice

[bricelythgoe]

I do not squander money (unless, unlike anybody here, you believe that buying kilts itself is squandering money), as I buy what I consider to be good quality for the price paid (7 8yd machine sewn 13-160z kilts to date and paid well less than $300US for all but one, my first and in my specialty family tartan). I can only hope I get my money's worth out of the hand sewns in the future that I have gotten out of the machine sewns so far.

May I ask where you purchased your kilts from?

[wyldathart]

I feel that wearing the best you can afford is OK, that owning and wearing a kilt is a fine thing but I wouldn't, for example, quit playing music so that I'd save the gas money I spend going to rehearsals so that I could put that money towards a kilt. I wouldn't stop eating dinner so that I could buy a kilt. I wouldn't quite graduate school so I could save money for a kilt. I feel that there's a balance between saving and saving and saving and saving for YEARS, or giving up basic things (not your daily Starbucks latte) so that you can put two dollars a week into a kilt jar......and saving maybe only for one year and buying a somewhat less-wonderful, but still very nice kilt. Having a "good" kilt, but not a "GREAT" kilt, is OK.

That's what I did. I knew I only had x amount of dollars to spend on a kilt and accessories. What I really wanted was a 8yrd 16oz. "tank". So I compromised and ordered a 8yrd 13oz. kilt. from what I understand, only experienced kilt makers and wearers would know it wasn't 16oz. and the fabric would act almost the same but lighter. Now being that I live in South GA, I thought that would make sense to me being that it gets very very hot here. So I have a very nice kilt on order, maybe not a "Tank" but damn close to it anyway and I'm positive I'll love it and wear the heck out of it

[Bugbear]

Alan H.,

One last question. I have looked at those kilts at Burnett's and Struth. They look real nice, although it might be hard to find a tartan that would work. What would you say is the biggest difference I would see between a 5 yard and an 8 yard kilt? (lets assume they are both machine sewn.) Would someone, at a formal function, look at me and say "Oh no, you have a 5yard kilt!" or something like that? Is it noticable?

Again, I appreciate all your help.

Brice

I won't answer for Alan, but I do have a comment.

Some people could notice. If they then insult you behind your back for something like this, their offence is much, much worse than yours.

[fluter]

So I have a very nice kilt on order, maybe not a "Tank"

IIRC the "official" definition does not exclude 13-ounce tartan.

I'm positive I'll love it and wear the heck out of it

I'm certain that you'll love it and wear the heck out of it!