A question on lightweight kilts......

[Blu (Ontario)]

Greetings all...
As happens from time to time with kilt devotees, the urge to splurge hit me once again last weekend and I placed an order for an 8 yard worsted wool kilt in the Maple Leaf tartan from these fine people:

http://www.kilts.biz/index_main.html

I am, however, having some second thoughts about this and thought I should seek some input from the Xmarks pool of experts. My concern is that the chosen fabric is only available in 11oz. and I've never worn wool this light. Will the garment hang properly? While there is still time, should I perhaps choose a different tartan... one that is available in 13oz. or better?

I've oft admired both Stewart black and Braveheart Warrior tartans but I don't seem to be able to find information on them. Are either of them considered "open"? Perhaps my concerns are unfounded. Any and all advice here is much appreciated.

Cheers!

blu

[Uncle Ricky]

Greetings Blu,
Why not take a drive to Barrie and visit Burnetts and Struth. (http://www.burnetts-struth.com/sale.html#MensKilts)
They have a nice selection of kilts on the rack - probably in your size, and the prices are reasonable. These are not lightweight imitations - they are really nice. They are mostly 13oz as far as I could see.

Cheers

[Hamish]

Hi Blu!

Well, first of all, an 11oz worsted is generally considered more suitable for women's and children's wear, than for men's. If you were resident much further south, I'd say you might get away with an 11oz but, being where you are, my advice would be to opt for a 13oz. There will be a difference, or several differences. Certainly the hang will not be as good with the 11oz - nor will the vital 'swing factor' (the heavier the weight, the better the swing!).

I do not understand when you say that Maple Leaf is available only in 11oz! One of my kilts is in that fine tartan and it is in 16oz!!

You appear to be concerned also about what tartans can be worn by whom. The only truly 'closed' tartan is the Balmoral, which you would not be able to buy anyway, since it is reserved exclusively for members of The Royal Family. All other tartans are 'open' and may be worn by anyone, although you might like to choose one to which you have some link, however tenuous. I have eleven tartan kilts and Breacans, but I have a family connection to only two of them, in the Gunn tartan. The others I chose for no other reason than that I liked them!

Personally, I think you should really put that order on hold until you have thought a little more about things.

[Blu (Ontario)]

Thanx for the advice Ham! I've had a queasy feeling since placing the order and this just confirms my concerns. I have a 13 oz kilt which is great but I believe I've made a mistake in going lighter on this new kilt. I shall be making arrangements to change the fabric. You are quite right of course regarding the tartan issue. And while I agree completely... I do, as they say, want to know my tartans.

I've dealt with this store previously and they are very good with customer service. However, its quite evident that if you want solid advice, Xmarks is the place to ask.

While Burnetts and Struth are reputable dealers, I've already paid half up front. It's early in the game and I should be able to get this corrected.

blu

[phil h]

dunno bout that , but my 12oz TFCK black watch looks good, don't ya think?
should be good for the summer.
hope this kinda helps

[Jimmy Carbomb]

My concern is that the chosen fabric is only available in 11oz. and I've never worn wool this light. Will the garment hang properly?

The wool and the fact that it's being made by PROFESSIONALLY TRAINED kilt makers... it will almost certainly hang correctly. I've seen some heavy wool kilts that looked like the "Merry Wanderer" because they were made by an untrained *&#$%.

I'm not a big fan of anything below 13 ounces myself, but that's more a preference for hip weight rather than looks.

[James]

My reply must have got eaten by the machine.

You have been getting some odd comments.

First a properly made lightweight kilt will hang and appear as good as any heavy kilt.

For warm weather or hot and sticky events such a party etc they are excellent.

I'd not suggest one as a first kilt-but as a part of a balanced wardrobe-a very useful kilt.

Living in London and being on occasion engaged in giving lectures often in warm buildings-I got one made to measure from Hector Russell about four years ago-and have never regretted the purchase.

Whilst too light for normal hill walking-and certainly a bit frisky in a wind--I have in fact worn it for outdoor activities on hot days, and it proved excellent.

Certainly it is smarter that the 'Gentlemen's Kilts' which are sold for warmer weather here in the UK.

So if you are looking to a sensible addition to a wardrobe which already contains a heavier weight kilt, you should not be put off.

Hasving worn the kilt for 60 odd years-I only wish I'd got a lighter one earlier in my life.

James

[Jeremy]

Just my two bits worth:

Unless I'm mistaken, my MacInlay modern is made in about that weight wool, and hangs and swings beautifully. It's also great in the mid-east coast USA summers.... meaning not overly warm.

[Barb T]

Hi folks

Here's my 2 cents. I agree with all of you who say that a properly made light kilt will hang and swing just fine. If you go to any Highland games, virtually all of the dancers will be wearing kilts in the 11-12 oz range, and they look really swell (see my gallery for some dancer pics of kilts in that weight). The first kilt that I made for my husband was in 11-12 oz. It was a fine kilt, but it did wrinkle pretty easily. I've made him a new kilt in heavier weight, and he likes how it feels and wears better, though.

As someone said in another thread, a heavy kilt isn't much hotter in hot weather than a light weight kilt. Our band kilts are 16 oz, and, quite frankly, it's the socks that are a real killer in the heat, not the kilt.

Here's the first kilt I made for my husband, so that you can see what it looks like (sorry I don't have a back view). I know the kilt is pretty short on the guy who's wearing it, but my husband lent it to my daughter's boyfriend for his first Highland games. BTW - he wore it quite happily and now wants one of his own. We decided that he's a keeper!

Cheers,

Barb

[Graham]

Blu, I've had my eye on the Braveheart tartan too, I know our sponsor The Celtic Croft sells them, but I've not had a reply yet to my emails about the tartan.