Confusion. PV, wool, casual, 5 yrd, 8 yrd

[cdarwin]

...and what's up with the testy, confrontational tone on this thread?

I hope this is not the case. I never intended to bring any negativity to the discussion. Upon reflection, I can see how it may be perceived as such. I genuinely hoped to offer the best advise possible. Since I seem incapable of furthering the discussion with helpful insight, I will bow out of it all together. I offer my sincerest apologies if I have offended anyone with my comments.

[Ryan Ross]

...and what's up with the testy, confrontational tone on this thread?

I had been wondering the same thing.

And as far as the original question goes:

I would really, STRONGLY urge the OP to reconsider 16 oz. wool kilt. Washing a kilt in the bath tub is no big deal at all, and kilts don't have to be washed as frequently as pants anyway; I know plunking your expensive kilt in the tub for the first time can be a scary idea, but there's really nothing to it and it works great.

And the reason I mention 16 oz., as opposed to say 13oz., is because there's really a difference in the wrinkle factor. All but the very worst wrinkles in 16 oz. will just fall out on their own.

I have only limited experience with PV, but I seem to recall that they wrinkle pretty easily (if I'm wrong there, will someone who knows these animals better please chime in).

My reccomendation for you would be, funds permitting, a 4 yard box pleated or kingussie pleated kilt from Matt Newsome. I swear by these kilts. They're by far the most comfortable, easiest to keep up kilts I've worn. And they're very hard-wearing...that coming from someone who's known for wearing his kilts hard.

EDIT: And aye, the extra yardage in an 8 yard kilt is just for show... and it does make a splended show... but so does a 4 yard kilt. I won't knock 8 yard kilts at all- I have one and love it, but I only want that one and all my future kilts will be 6 yard and under.

[knotty]

LOL, O my,

Sanx to all for the info.

"Sparticus", was a reference to the kilts one sees that look like modern versions on Roman Legion garb.
In many ways, Im a bit old fashioned in my dress, specially if Im dressin up. I dont have problem with solid colored kilts, I think they look pretty sharp. What I want is the classic look & lines of a kilt. The wider plaits (?) dont seem to lay flat as much. That is a look I want to avoid.

Ya fellin a little beat up, but Im wear big kid underpants. No harm, no foul.

Re Washing -- Physically, I have a hard time gettin down to the ground or actually gettin back up (gravity sucks). Would it be ok to wash a kilt in the front load washer washer? She has "Hand Wash" & "Delicate" settings.


Still friends!


Wish I could get 1 of each to try/see. My kilts were shipped yesterday but Canada Post is on lock out right now... I think the smart thing to do is see how they look then Ill have a better idea.
The kilts were bought for me by my Lass. I tried 1 on about a year ago she liked the look + Iv often thought about kiltin up...

[Dale Seago]

EDIT: And aye, the extra yardage in an 8 yard kilt is just for show... and it does make a splended show... but so does a 4 yard kilt. I won't knock 8 yard kilts at all- I have one and love it, but I only want that one and all my future kilts will be 6 yard and under.

From your keyboard to God's monitor screen, buyu. It should also be remembered that for about the first century of Scottish kilt wear (if you stretch things to include the feileadh beag as well as tailored kilts) the standard yardage was four yards or so.

I now have a pair of 6-yard kilts from Matt Newsome, and a pair of 5-yard ones from USA Kilts. I've worn them all enough at this point that I now consider. . .

(pausing here to let those concerned about blasphemy get themselves and their children and other loved ones away from the computer screen)

. . .the 8-yard "tank" to be overdone, resulting in visually less attractive "excessive pleating". (Obviously, I hope, that's a purely subjective perception on my part.)

I do most definitely prefer the qualities of heavyweight fabric, but I think the auld ones kent what they were about using less of it.

[Ian.MacAllan]

In general, kilt maintenance need not be either difficult or expensive. The important thing is to get at soil promptly; don't let it sit until it stains or attracts moths. Any kilt should be examined for soil and cleaned appropriately immediately after each wearing.

Most soil can be removed by careful brushing; sometimes a little assistance from a damp sponge or cloth may be required. Be very careful with liquids; they can make the soil penetrate the fibers and bond chemically with them.

My main objection to washing with water (and to dry cleaning) is that it eliminates any pleats that are not sewn in, and re-pleating and pressing is a large enough job that I don't enjoy it.

I note that some kilt makers advise that a woolen kilt should always be dry cleaned, and others that it should never be dry cleaned. I think the difference is that some kilt makers live in towns small enough that their cleaners do their own work and value individual customers enough to learn how to do kilts properly, while others live in cities where the cleaners send all their work out to a central facility whose operators don't care a bit about what the ultimate customers want.

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[Ryan Ross]

I do most definitely prefer the qualities of heavyweight fabric, but I think the auld ones kent what they were about using less of it.

Indeed, sir!

My main objection to washing with water (and to dry cleaning) is that it eliminates any pleats that are not sewn in, and re-pleating and pressing is a large enough job that I don't enjoy it.

In nearly ten years of kilt wearing (and washing), I've never found this to be the case. I always run my hand down each pleat, after it's hung up to dry, just to get everything sorted; doing this, the iron is hardly needed...at least, in my experience.

[Joshua]

Regarding yardage...

Here is a good example of the pleat difference. Both of these kilts are in the exact same tartan, mill, fabric (Caledonia, Marton Mills, Polyviscose (PV)). The pictures were also taken within 2 weeks of each other, so my weight and size do not differ that much. I will also say the Casual could probably use a pressing as it's lost it's "crisp" a little bit.

The first is a USAK Casual in approximately 5-yards (nevermind my arsegrabbing, I was actually trying to brush the pleats and my wife took the shot.):



This next one is my 8-9 yard Caledonia from Skye Highland Outfitters:


Hopefully this allows you to see the quite significant difference in lower-yardage, knife-pleated kilts.

For the record, my most comfy kilt is the USAK Casual... the 8-9 yarder is the best looking one (in my opinion), but it's heavy. If I'm going to an event with kilt wearers that could/would notice the difference, I'll probably wear the 8-yard, as I would also wear it to weddings, burns nights, what have you. If I'm going to the pub and want to wear the tartan, or if I know it's going to be really hot out (like it is now) I'm wearing the casual. In fact, I wore the 8 yard last night to a party of kilt-wearing friends... and wore the Casual all day today.

[Ian.MacAllan]

. . . I always run my hand down each pleat, after it's hung up to dry, just to get everything sorted; . . .

I've never thought of doing this, Ryan, but I'll try it next time. Thank you.

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