New Kilt

[Barb T]

Hi guys

I'd echo what Jimmy said - the real difference between an 11 oz kilt and a 13 oz is how easily it wrinkles. There's not much difference in how warm they are. The 13 oz kilt will hold crisper pleats for longer, and the apron won't wrinkle as easily.

I don't find that a kilt actually _makes_ you feel hot even in warm weather. I'd be hot anyway, regardless of what I was wearing. If you're wearing a 16-oz kilt in the summer with all of the canvas and lining, yes, your kilt will be all sweaty arround the middle when you take it off. But I don't find it uncomfortable when I'm wearing it, because the air circulates underneath. So, I don't think I would be any cooler if I were wearing a lighter kilt. I _do_ find, though, that the heavy tartan is itchy when it gets hot (maybe that's my skin), and I typically wear bike shorts underneath when I'm piping and walking around a lot, or the itching drives me crazy.

Actually, it's the kilt hose that I think are the real killers. If you're going to be wearing your kilt around in the summer, seriously consider cotton or acrylic hose, rather than wool, if you are at all prone to itchy skin. It really helps.

Cheers,

Barb

[Riverkilt]

Hey Zeytoun,

Have you checked with Kathy's Kilts in Albuquerque? She did a great 11oz for me in short order. She's trained in Scotland in the old ways, has all the certificates. Only half down, half when ready. Also does accessories if you want. My experience was good.

Ron

[Kiltedmusiclover]

.....

so to add to your question.... those brothers who happen to live in more humid climates, what are your experiences and suggestions? where i'm located, it is not uncommon to go weeks with very high humidity. the annual average morning humidity at my location is 81% and tapers off toward evening. winters are usually mild 30's - 40's (F) with occasional Canook Coolers.

ambrose

Ambrose,

I have 13oz 8 yard tank and it feels great even
in the summer.
I'm in an area where the climate is
pretty close to yours.
The kilt hose are my major problem in the summer.
In the hottest days of July and August, my kilt will
be a little sweaty around the middle.
But then again, in the summer I sweat getting out of bed even with the AC on.

[Kilted_John]

Here, in the Pac NW, I've found that a 13 oz. 8-yarder works fine in the summer. And, yes, unlike the myth about Seattle, we can get some hot days. Both this past summer, and the one before it were quite dry and quite warm (usually low-mid 80's, frequently hitting the low-mid 90's). Since I prefer wearing long socks with the kilt, I started looking at alternatives, like soccer socks and other knee-length socks (even, gasp, t*****r socks, which actually were the best choice in the hot weather - didn't look traditional, but, didn't look bad - they do look better with a UK, than they do with a trad. kilt, tho)...
-J

[Hamish]

11 ounce wool is a little bit of a pain to maintain in comparison. I would actually go with a 13 ounce 4-yard before I would slack to an 11 ounce. The wear and strength is just that much better.

I STILL don't get the way that some get warm in any temperatures in a kilt. I wear the heavy ones in very hot conditions and have absolutely no problem at all. Slacks and pants... yes. Kilts? Nope.

As for machine or hand-stitched... that depends on the style. Wool traditional... hand stitch. Wool casual... either. Remember that the hand-stitched will have a MUCH better hang and taper. It just can NOT be done by machine. Anyone that debates that one just doesn't know what it takes to do a hand-stitch correctly.

I agree 100% with all of that, Jimmy.

11oz wool will crease like the very Devil, especially if your body is hot and (dare I say it) sweaty. In July 2003, whilst on my USA Tour, the temperature in New York was in the high 90s and the humidity felt like it was around 120% (I've never known anything like it), yet I wore my heavier 13oz woollen kilts and was perfectly comfortable. Moreover, they suffered no untidy creasing whilst I was there.

I agree too about the hose comments of others. My only concession to the heat/humidity was to push the hose down (when decorum permitted!)

[Thistle Stop]

I hope you won't mind advice from a girl... I am around kilts and kilt-wearers constantly!

My comments pertain to traditional kilts -- the 'tank'. Here's my hot-weather advice:

To keep from overheating, in casual, everyday situations, don't wear a waist belt.

Also for casual wear, instead of knee-high kilt hose, wear normal height, moisture-wicking hiking socks, turned down, with low boots like hiking boots, Doc Martens, etc. I think it's a very nice look, practical, and not too hot. Some guys with great-looking legs can get away with sandals and no socks, but avoid that if you have thin legs!

Wear a cotton t-shirt or vest (undershirt in the US) tucked inside the kilt waist and a loose shirt in a natural fabric outside -- or just a t-shirt, tucked in so the kilt waist is not itchy.

In my opinion, 10-11 oz tartan is not suitable for a man's kilt. Doesn't look right and is difficult to maintain.

Cheers, Cyndi

[bear]

I hope you won't mind advice from a girl... I am around kilts and kilt-wearers constantly!

My comments pertain to traditional kilts -- the 'tank'. Here's my hot-weather advice:

To keep from overheating, in casual, everyday situations, don't wear a waist belt.

Also for casual wear, instead of knee-high kilt hose, wear normal height, moisture-wicking hiking socks, turned down, with low boots like hiking boots, Doc Martens, etc. I think it's a very nice look, practical, and not too hot. Some guys with great-looking legs can get away with sandals and no socks, but avoid that if you have thin legs!

Wear a cotton t-shirt or vest (undershirt in the US) tucked inside the kilt waist and a loose shirt in a natural fabric outside -- or just a t-shirt, tucked in so the kilt waist is not itchy.

In my opinion, 10-11 oz tartan is not suitable for a man's kilt. Doesn't look right and is difficult to maintain.

Cheers, Cyndi

It will matter what guys look like in kilts when fat chicks stop wearing spandex!

[Thistle Stop]

It will matter what guys look like in kilts when fat chicks stop wearing spandex!

Two wrongs don't make a right!

[bear]

It will matter what guys look like in kilts when fat chicks stop wearing spandex!

Two wrongs don't make a right!

There is nothing wrong with any man wearing a kilt. A kilt is healthier both mentally and physically for men, and not just for men with 'nice legs!'
A man will wear what he pleases, just as a woman does. That's what the post meant.

[Thistle Stop]

It will matter what guys look like in kilts when fat chicks stop wearing spandex!

Two wrongs don't make a right!

There is nothing wrong with any man wearing a kilt. A kilt is healthier both mentally and physically for men, and not just for men with 'nice legs!'
A man will wear what he pleases, just as a woman does. That's what the post meant.

I agree with you entirely on that, Bear! What I said was that skinny legs don't look as nice in sandals with no socks -- it's a matter of balance, aestethically speaking. I think anyone, male or female, should wear what they like and is comfortable. But some combinations are more pleasing to the eye than others, and that's the aspect I was addresssing in that part of the post. I wasn't saying 'don't wear a kilt' but just that heavier shoes with socks are a better look (if one cares about that kind of thing) than the 'ungrounded' effect of socklessness on skinny legs. I'd say the same about guys wearing shorts.

Cheers, Cyndi