Wool/PV Consideration

[Macman]

xman, I'm in Victoria. I own both a PV traditional and a 16 oz. wool casual, and I really like them both. They are both well-made, good value kilts bought from forum sponsors. If you were going to leave me with the choice of one, though, I'd keep the wool one. Why? I was brought up on wool kilts, and it just feels more traditional to me. I can wear it year round with no problem. Also, as has been said, there are way more tartan choices. Good luck on your decision!

[Bugbear]

How do you do it!!?? I have tried wearing my 6 yard wool to one of the Highland games here in August and could not stand the heat. It was just way to hot (and that was in 75-80 degree weather!) Am I doing something wrong? I guess it is just me. You are not the only one to tell me their 8 yard wool works great in hot weather.

Sorry to hijack the thread for a minute, but what is your typical outfit on a hot summer day, Forrester? (when wearing the tank)

I don't mean to answer for FM, but does your six yd have the pleat fabric above the fell removed and replaced with hair canvas? That makes a huge, huge difference.

[Carolina Kiltman]

I will only add this to the discussion; PV is not as wrinkle resistant as a good quality wool. Secondly, most minor slops and spatters can be spot cleaned from the wool if common sense is followed. (Check with an experienced fabric worker for details). I live where we get a lot of "90-90" That is 90 degrees f, and 90% humidity.

If you are to wear the kilt where dirt, sweat, and/or smoke is a problem, then the washability of the PV is a plus. I wear my kilt at least weekly, if not more often, and in three years it still does not need cleaning, nor has it needed repressing. The wrinkles steam out with only a little work.

In any case, I would go for the traditional rather than the semi-trad. The greater depth of the pleats will add a lot to the swish and swagger, no matter which way you go.

[NorCalPiper]

I'd like to say that you will never regret buying a PV kilt. Acrylic......maybe, but not PV. I personally suggest you buy an 8 yard PV kilt. I too am on the West coast and suffer horrible 110 degree + summers. Never a problem with PV. I also can be in 100 degree heat her in Sacramento, then drive 45 minutes to San Fran and be in 70 degree weather (Yep-Thats a 30 degree change within minutes) and be PERFECTLY comfortable in PV. I have never worn PV in extreme cold, but for chilly to unbearable-PV is the way to go.

That being said, you will never go wrong buying a wool kilt either, although you iwll be limited in heat....just my 2 cents

[creagdhubh]

My last discussion about which daily kilt to buy has brought me to a new thought so I am hoping you ladies and gentlemen will be equally as enlightening this time around.

Considering that the price points aren't terribly far off for a PV traditional and a wool casual kilt in say a 13 oz weight if those weights would be somewhat approximate, why choose one over the other? Sure you could dress up a PV trad, but would it really look better than a proper wool kilt even if it is a shorter yardage version? One wouldn't want to go gardening in the wool kilt, but dirty work aside, am I better off looking at wool more? The tartan selection certainly is better. What say you?

X

Go with the wool.

[creagdhubh]

One wonders how the Highland regiments stationed in India ever survived the tropical summers in their heavy weight wool military kilts.....Do you think they would have traded them in for poly-viscose?

Hell no! They would say "poly what?" LOL.

[creagdhubh]

I'd like to say that you will never regret buying a PV kilt. Acrylic......maybe, but not PV. I personally suggest you buy an 8 yard PV kilt. I too am on the West coast and suffer horrible 110 degree + summers. Never a problem with PV. I also can be in 100 degree heat her in Sacramento, then drive 45 minutes to San Fran and be in 70 degree weather (Yep-Thats a 30 degree change within minutes) and be PERFECTLY comfortable in PV. I have never worn PV in extreme cold, but for chilly to unbearable-PV is the way to go.

That being said, you will never go wrong buying a wool kilt either, although you iwll be limited in heat....just my 2 cents

I've worn my 16 ounce, 8 yarder from Lochcarron in 100 degree temps with 100 percent humidity here in the hot, humid months of summer in the midwest and have been quite comfortable and fine. Of course I only wear a long sleeve collared shirt, with the sleeves rolled up, with the kilt and that's it. The wool is a remarkable, natural coolant in warmer weather. I've never become hot and itchy from wearing my kilt in very hot weather.

[denmcdough]

Hard to say what's best for you. If you're kickin' around in the dirt, go PV. But, the wool, in a medium to heavy weight, isn't that bad in the heat. Heck, pro bikers, like in the Tour de France, for years, before lycra, wore wool shorts and jerseys. I've worn it, too, with no problem. I have worn my wool kilt in the warm, and I have no problem. Maybe it's just me!

[auld argonian]

One wonders how the Highland regiments stationed in India ever survived the tropical summers in their heavy weight wool military kilts.....Do you think they would have traded them in for poly-viscose?

To be fair, though, they didn't have the option of PV...who's to say?

PV is pretty good stuff...right now I have one 13oz. 8 yard wool and one 16 oz. 8 yard wool and they're both great and I really have as many kilts as I'm likely to need but I still have a yen for an 8 yard PV. I have a USAK casual and the material is so nice that it just makes me want a well made 8 yard in that fabric. The "warmness" of the PV kilts has been discussed here a couple of times and I seem to recall that the general conclusion was that while it ain't as warm as wool, it's still pretty serviceable and - hey! - guess what? You can STILL wear something warm in the way of undergarments under it and the only people who will be offended are the stout traditionalists who think that "regimental in all circumstances" is the only way to go...and it ain't nobody's business 'ceptin' yours anyway.

Jolly good that some kilts last a hundred years but everybody isn't always thinking heirloom quality on everything that they buy...that you wear it and enjoy it is much more important than whether or not you're going to hand it down through the family...let 'em get their own kilts, greedy buggers! Keeps the weavers and kiltmakers in business!


Best

AA

[ForresterModern]

How do you do it!!?? I have tried wearing my 5 yard wool to one of the Highland games here in August and could not stand the heat. It was just way to hot (and that was in 75-80 degree weather!) Am I doing something wrong? I guess it is just me. You are not the only one to tell me their 8 yard wool works great in hot weather.

Sorry to hijack the thread for a minute, but what is your typical outfit on a hot summer day, Forrester? (when wearing the tank)

Brice

Just check out my personal page and photo album to see what I typically wear with the tanks in late spring, summer, and early fall. Pretty much any of the outdoor photos are either from Phoenix, Scotland or around here in summer. I usually go casual and wear full kilt hose, not scrunched down, with sock liners and either a long or short sleeve t-shirt or golf/polo shirt, and I usually wear boxer-briefs (blasphemy to the traditionalists, I know, and I will probably end up in kilted hell for it) underneath, as well as usually some form of headgear to keep the sun off my nearly bare noggin. If I sweat, the only place I sweat is right under the belt, and probably because that is the only place that doesn't breathe so well when belted tightly, like I usually wear my kilts. When it cools down a bit I add an undershirt and may upgrade to a full turtleneck from the mock-tee, and then add a sweater or jacket to that. Sometimes wearing wicking sport-style shirts helps keep me cooler but usually it is just a simple cotton long sleeve tee. Nothing magic.

Sorry for the second thread jack to answer Brice's question.

jeff