What weight to pick?

[Wolf]

I have posted here before concerning kilts, and well now I'm about to order my kilt.
However the tartan I picked is only available in 10oz or 16oz (wool), and well I'd like to know your advice on these different weights.
My main problem would be heat. I don't think I'll be cold while wearing a kilt, as I don't have much trouble with it *and its a kilt*.
However I live in Geneva (Switzerland) and it can get quite warm here (a tad fresher as in the south of France, to give you guys an idea) so I would like to know if the 16oz would be to warm, yes I know it is warm, but exactly how warm is it?
As for the lighter one, what difference does the reduced wight actually make in practice in terms of looks/privacy etc? And is it really that much colder?

PS: Again don't know if this question has ever been asked before, I used the search engine but got no hits.

[Bugbear]

Ok, Wolf, I live in the desert Southwest of America as it shows in my location. I have been kind of ok with a thirteen ounce wool kilt in the summer, and I mean KIND of ok. To me what makes a big difference is the shirt and hose you are wearing. Frankly, I wear sandals and a light t-shirt with my kilts in the summer and it makes a big difference. You kind of find yourself moving a bit to get an air flow up under your kilt though. I hope that helps a tiny bit and I'm sure there will be better advice following mine. Take care.
* I really can't say on the cold part. I should be clearer, it gets very very hot here, and the 13 Oz is between the two weights you mentioned. It looks like everybody's suggesting the 16 Oz, so good luck and hope you get exactly what you will be happy with.

[McMurdo]

I would say go for the 16oz wool, it hangs better, looks better, it will last longer, and as far as warmth goes, it will be warmer, however I don't think it would be so much warmer as to cause a problem.

[Panache]

Go for the 16 oz.

The weight of the wool has a lot to do with the swing of the pleats. It will be more but it will be worth it.

Cheers

Jamie

[The Wizard of BC]

The secret about kilt and temperatures is that it really doesn't matter what you are wearing around your waist.

In a kilt, if it is cold, put on a hat, a good jacket, and some gloves. When you keep the top of your head, your spine near your shoulder blades, and the back of your hands warm, you will feel warm.

If it's hot outside take off the hat and jacket and let air flow over those same places and you will feel cool.

So get the kilt you really want.

[BoldHighlander]

I have posted here before concerning kilts, and well now I'm about to order my kilt.
However the tartan I picked is only available in 10oz or 16oz (wool), and well I'd like to know your advice on these different weights.

What tartan is it your interested in?

As with everyone else I would suggest the heavier weight (16oz), for the very reasons they suggest (hang / durability / quality of cloth etc). In regards to heat, I believe there have been other threads /posts on the subject that discuss how quality wool regulates your body tempature.

Its funny, when I think of Switzerland, I imagine alpine meadows, mountains & snow .... never heat. Learn something new every day

[TheKiltedWonder]

In my experience 16 oz can be warm in Virginia. But we're a bit warmer where I am than in Geneva. We're also super humid, so maybe that's the problem. That said, I'd much prefer the 16 oz to the 10 oz. I am always hot in the summer whether it's pants or a kilt, so I'd prefer the better looking/swinging/feeling and less wrinkling 16 oz. Now I'm sure they aren't the same price, so budget is another consideration.

[Moosedog]

The 16 oz will swish better and wrinkle less. I lived in Geneva in the 1970s--unless the climate has changed drastically I think you will be OK. We had a convertible and I remember wishing for warmer weather than we usually got.

Moosedog

[beloitpiper]

Given a choice, I alway choose heavier weight wool. I live in Wisconsin, which can get cold winters (but so does Switzerland, as I understand it!), and it really helps out. And, as stated before, the heavier wool doesn't matter all that much as long as the rest of your outfit matches is temperature-appropriate.

By the way, what tartan is it?

[Howard Clark]

Another vote for the heavy tartan.