Comparison on differnt kilt weights

[shannon]

I believe that I've never worn wool in my life so can a member attempt to decribe what is compariable. I'm definitely in touch wearing blue jeans. lol
EX: is blue jean denim sort of like 13oz wool weight etc? I keep reading that 16oz wool has better color & bounce & holds pleats better. (IE: Is 16oz wool like wearing a sweat shirt?)

I'm trying to decide on the correct /best weight for myself living in the southeastern USA. (If I'm forced to wear pants in 70° or above temps I drip sweat!)
I appreciate everyone's response.

[TBruce]

I live in South Mississippi, and all I ware are tanks (16 oz.). I would say 16 oz. equals heavy duck cloth or canvas, and 13 oz. would be denim Blue jeans. Granted, I don’t ware them in the day light... but, I guess I'm a tank snob.

Tom

[piperdbh]

I agree with TBruce. I have a kilt in 11 oz. wool and the fabric feels like Sunday-go-to-meetin' britches. I have two kilts in 16 oz. wool and the fabric feels like Carhartt canvas. Heavier fabric weight does not mean the fabric gets progressively thicker, like sweatshirt fleece or terry cloth; it's just a little bit bigger yarn that they weave it with, so the fabric winds up being just a little thicker (fraction of a millimeter), and somewhat heavier.
You'll live just fine in 16 oz. wool in Alabama. After all, there are no britches legs on a kilt, and you have permanent ventilation.

[auld argonian]

Maybe the easiest way to feel the difference is to get some swatches of the tartan you're interested in...you can usually get a kiltmaker to send them for a nominal fee that's usually credited back if you have them make the kilt. I have two eight yard worsted wool kilts and one is in 13 oz and the other in 16 oz. While many members will swear up and down that 16 oz is the only way to go, I'm not convinced...while it may vary from mill to mill, the difference is minimal in my opinion and hardly worth getting worked up about. Frankly, when it comes to wearing them the slight weight difference gives the 13 oz the edge for me. Another way to get some idea of the feel of the fabric is to go to a fabric store like Joanne's and look at the worsted wool suiting material that they have...it'll have very much the same feel but will be lighter (as in not as heavyweight) than the kilt materials.

So you're in the Southeast where it usually (this year excepted) doesn't get into the icebox the way it does here in Chicago. I'd go with the lighter material (again, the difference isn't all that great). Don't forget that another factor is that the actual amount of material used depends on your size and how the tartan lines up...some of these tartans can get into some deep pleats in order to get the sett right. So factor in number of pleats and depth of pleats...it may not take eight full yards to do it (then, again, it might take more if you're a "gentleman of substance" as we say here).

Another thing that I'd factor in is how and where you want to wear this. If you're going to a whole bunch of kilted formals and want to be able to walk without fear of being criticized by the kilted cognescenti, then go the 8X16 route. If you don't care about the nitpickers, you can go with the lighter fabric and you might even consider going five or six yards with either the 13 or the 16. I have a five yard 16 oz that I routinely wear to black tie functions just because it's more comfy and I'm usually the only kilted guy there...nobody notices the difference. If you're just getting a kilt to wear to the Highland Games and going out fer a beer, you might consider the possibility that less is more.

Thus, while the 8/16 is considered the "ne plus ultra" on this forum, it's not the only way to go...it's more about what you want rather than what's considered "the max" here. Sorta like having either a nice Buick or Cadillac...both GM, Caddy's more expensive but the Buick is nice and it gets you there at the same time.

Best

AA

[auld argonian]

Just as an addenda to this: it does get hot here and the place where you feel it is in the waistband of the kilt...sweat-y...sure, everything else is ventilated but you have about a four inch band of multiply wool and a belt around your waist.

Best

AA

[mookien]

I like heavier weight wool. It hangs better, swings better, and looks better. It also doesn't wrinkle and crease as easily.

In the southeast you are justifiably concerned about hot, humid weather. I lived in FL (north and south) for many years. So, I suggest getting a shorter-yardage kilt - 4, 5, or 6 yards to help counter the heat.

You are asking the right folks the right questions. Good luck with your decision.

[fluter]

I live in that part of South Carolina which is said to be separated from Hades only by a screen door. Our municipal motto---no kidding---is "Famously hot."

I'd recommend 13-ounce wool at a minimum. Not only is it comfortable in summer, but 13- or 16-ounce fabric is better behaved with respect to wrinkles. You'll be amazed now long and well it holds the crease in the pleats, how little it wrinkles, and how quickly it hangs out.

I also have to agree, USA Kilts semi-trad model in poly-viscose (polyester and rayon blend), is perfect for our climate.

Either one will be cooler than trousers; and the waist will be cooler without a wide, heavy belt.

[rlloyd]

I live in that part of South Carolina which is said to be separated from Hades only by a screen door. Our municipal motto---no kidding---is "Famously hot."

I'd recommend 13-ounce wool at a minimum. Not only is it comfortable in summer, but 13- or 16-ounce fabric is better behaved with respect to wrinkles. You'll be amazed now long and well it holds the crease in the pleats, how little it wrinkles, and how quickly it hangs out.

I also have to agree, USA Kilts semi-trad model in poly-viscose (polyester and rayon blend), is perfect for our climate.

Either one will be cooler than trousers; and the waist will be cooler without a wide, heavy belt.

After reading your first sentence, I was going to ask if you were in Columbia...then I looked to see if you had it listed and, lo and behold, you're in Columbia!

[Cathy McWilliams]

When I first saw more than one man in a kilt at a time, we were having a sweltering summer. The gents were all standing in a circle, feet more than shoulder width apart and they were all swaying forward and pack gently. I walked past and felt the breeze.
"Okay! Built in airconditioning!"
My husband has 2 kilts both heavy weight and he won't wear anything else. The heavier the weight, the larger the sett (threadcount) and that means deeper pleats! They hang better, swing better and hold a crease better. I try to avoid the light weight tartans; I tell people that "every time you sit down, you're going to press yourself a new pleat."
If you are in a humid climate, pleats won't stay sharp for long and the lightweight tartan will loose their crease the quickest.

Cheers
Cathy Mac

[Tobus]

Heh, the swaying back and forth to cool down is one I use often here in Texas. It works!

I absolutely agree on the heavy weight cloth. I won't wear light weight tartan kilts.