First traditional kilt

**Landon** · 26th August 09, 08:00 PM

I FINALLY! got paid, so after a bit of research (or procrastination) on the forums, I decided to go with a Stillwater Heavyweight for the upcoming winter and also so that I had something other than my UK to wear around. (May my pants hang in a dark corner of the closet for many days to come.)

Now, I have two things on my mind:

1.) How well does wool work during the summer? I'm not going to be sweating buckets, am I?
EDIT: Just realized it's almost September, but still plenty hot!

2.) It seems I'm on the lower end of waist sizes (32"), which was the smallest available in the Black Watch tartan. Is there any advice I should keep in mind since I'm generally a bit skinny, unlike the caber tossing fellows I imagine you crowd to be

(I should probably also note that this is kilt #2, starting to pave the way for a larger collection

)

**Nighthawk** · 26th August 09, 08:18 PM

Congrats on the kilt. Stillwater heavies are great. I don't have a Black Watch, so I don't know the weight. I have a Nightstalker heavyweight and a saffron heavy weight. The saffron is lighter. It's a 13 oz, and is great in all weather. I have worn it in blizzards, and in the Colorado heat, which at this altitude is pretty intense. It's great in the wind, it's great in the rain- it's great when you have a fresh cup of hot coffee spilled in your lap...

The Nightstalker, on the other hand, is a good 16 oz wool. I wore it to a festival when I first got it 2.5 years ago and almost died. It's great for any temperature below 50 degree F. Otherwise, I can't wear the thing. It's an amazing kilt to be sure- but it is heavy. Let us know what you think!

And guessing by the fact that your post is logged as having been made at 11:00, and it's now 9:20 here, I assume you're in the midwest- Ohio, Michigan...

That general area. (GO BUCKEYES!!) So I would be interested to see how the heavyweight handles the water that you people breathe.

**piperdbh** · 26th August 09, 08:23 PM

How well does wool work during the summer? I'm not going to be sweating buckets, am I?
EDIT: Just realized it's almost September, but still plenty hot!

That all depends on where you are located. Generally, no, you won't sweat buckets. However, I have no experience with the heavyweight fabric.

2.) It seems I'm on the lower end of waist sizes (32"), which was the smallest available in the Black Watch tartan. Is there any advice I should keep in mind since I'm generally a bit skinny, unlike the caber tossing fellows I imagine you crowd to be

I'd advise you to enjoy the skinniness! A lot of folks would like to trade sizes with you.
You might discover that you have to buckle the straps fairly tightly to keep the kilt up, especially if you don't have the hips for the job (like me). And post pictures.

**Nighthawk** · 26th August 09, 08:35 PM

Originally Posted by piperdbh

That all depends on where you are located. Generally, no, you won't sweat buckets. However, I have no experience with the heavyweight fabric.

I'd advise you to enjoy the skinniness! A lot of folks would like to trade sizes with you.
You might discover that you have to buckle the straps fairly tightly to keep the kilt up, especially if you don't have the hips for the job (like me). And post pictures.

You darned skinny people.

I actually have people at festivals come to my reenactment groups camp and challenge me to a duel because they think that, because I'm big, I'm slow. Yeah... That seldom works out well.

**SteveB** · 26th August 09, 08:35 PM

There are some who have a 28" kilt waist, 32" hips and 27" length. ( Three cousins, two sons, and until recently ... Me! New England weather changes quite often to extremes, and the heavy (22 oz.) wool kilt is quite comfy for most of the time.

Slainte