A Question About Fabric Weights

**pedjld** · 15th April 23, 03:14 PM

I am a novice kilt wearer. I have purchased one kilt in a 16 ounce weight fabric. It is quite thick. I live in Tennessee and the summers are usually quite hot. I was curious as to what is the lightest weight fabric for a 5 yard or 8 yard kilt? Two of the kilt makers I’ve looked at advertise 10 ounce, 10/11 ounce, 13 ounce and, of course, the 16. I can’t get a really good answer from the suppliers. Will the 10 ounce fabric make a good kilt?

**kilted2000** · 15th April 23, 03:26 PM

Hello fellow Tennesseean, as I understand it 16oz and 13oz are the norm for wool kilts. A lighter-weight wool usually isn't recommended. You can buy made-to-measure kilts made out of polyviscose. It is a UK-produced man-made fabric that is about 10/11oz. They are great for summer in the South. I'm wearing a polyviscose(pv) kilt now.

**PiperPadre** · 15th April 23, 06:50 PM

Originally Posted by pedjld

I am a novice kilt wearer. I have purchased one kilt in a 16 ounce weight fabric. It is quite thick. I live in Tennessee and the summers are usually quite hot. I was curious as to what is the lightest weight fabric for a 5 yard or 8 yard kilt? Two of the kilt makers I’ve looked at advertise 10 ounce, 10/11 ounce, 13 ounce and, of course, the 16. I can’t get a really good answer from the suppliers. Will the 10 ounce fabric make a good kilt?

I have a similar situation in my competitions at highland Games in the Midwest which often take place in the hottest and most humid times of the year.

You may very well regret getting anything under 13 oz. They don't look right at all and some kilt makers won't make kilts out of anything under 13 oz for this very reason. All of my kilts are made of 16 oz fabric, but I do have a 6 yard kilt made for such circumstances. It's substantially lighter and more comfortable in extreme weather than my 9 yards.

**Father Bill** · 15th April 23, 07:50 PM

Originally Posted by pedjld

I am a novice kilt wearer. I have purchased one kilt in a 16 ounce weight fabric. It is quite thick. I live in Tennessee and the summers are usually quite hot. I was curious as to what is the lightest weight fabric for a 5 yard or 8 yard kilt? Two of the kilt makers I’ve looked at advertise 10 ounce, 10/11 ounce, 13 ounce and, of course, the 16. I can’t get a really good answer from the suppliers. Will the 10 ounce fabric make a good kilt?

As I noted just minutes ago in another thread, in the interests of cooler wear, you might want to consider a box pleated kilt. It's an ancient norm for pleating and since it uses less yardage to complete, is a mite cooler and lighter.

I have two kilts, both 16 oz (which hangs, sways, and wears better than any lighter weight fabric) and I do notice that my box pleat is marginally cooler than the knife pleat on a hot day - around 85-90 American degrees. I tried a poly kilt once and soon sold it off. It didn't feel or look right to me.

**Kitfoxdave** · 16th April 23, 04:18 AM

I know I will hear negative remarks, but here it goes...
In the hot Florida summers, I have 2 acylic blend kilts that I wear.... yes, they pill, and by no means perfect. They are lighter weight and washable, relatively inexpensive so if something untoward happens to them, you wont feel so bad.

I also have rwo cotton utility kilts for working in my yard and workshop... they are not as comfy in the heat.

The acrylic wool blend is much more comfortable in the summer heat and humidity from my own personal experience over the past year. It was a hot one down here! You also need to be aware of the wind as they tend to lift. They do look like kilts, dont sway as much due to the lighter weight. The ladies in the general population here still appreciate them when I am out and about on my daily activities.

The original reason I purchased them was they Breton National and Knights Breton tartan. Not able to buy wool kilts in those tartans so far... so I will likely design my own tartan and have it woven etc...
I am sure the kilt cops will be all over this post, but it is just my own humble experience, and have gotten old enough not to give a rat's posterior what the kilt cops say...

Enjoy whatever kilts you have, wear them often, and stand tall!

Salut!

**Father Bill** · 16th April 23, 04:51 AM

Originally Posted by Kitfoxdave

I know I will hear negative remarks, but here it goes...
In the hot Florida summers, I have 2 acylic blend kilts that I wear.... yes, they pill, and by no means perfect. They are lighter weight and washable, relatively inexpensive so if something untoward happens to them, you wont feel so bad.

I also have rwo cotton utility kilts for working in my yard and workshop... they are not as comfy in the heat.

The acrylic wool blend is much more comfortable in the summer heat and humidity from my own personal experience over the past year. It was a hot one down here! You also need to be aware of the wind as they tend to lift. They do look like kilts, dont sway as much due to the lighter weight. The ladies in the general population here still appreciate them when I am out and about on my daily activities.

The original reason I purchased them was they Breton National and Knights Breton tartan. Not able to buy wool kilts in those tartans so far... so I will likely design my own tartan and have it woven etc...
I am sure the kilt cops will be all over this post, but it is just my own humble experience, and have gotten old enough not to give a rat's posterior what the kilt cops say...

Enjoy whatever kilts you have, wear them often, and stand tall!

Salut!

There are no Kilt Kops, just self-appointed jerks. What works for you is what works for you!

**OC Richard** · 17th April 23, 04:42 PM

In my experience natural fabrics such as 100% cotton and 100% wool breath better and are cooler in warm weather than synthetic fabrics.

I'm certain, from personal experience, that 100% wool clothing is cooler than polyester clothing.

I have a Harris Tweed jacket which can be worn in warm weather just fine. With 100% wool jackets the heat is held in not by the wool but by the polyester lining; order jackets unlined or partially lined if you can.

I've worn 16 ounce 100% wool kilts in temperatures over 100f and been fine.

Where I get hot is my calves, upper body, and head.

This is solved by thinner socks, either 100% wool or 100% cotton, a shirt of 100% cotton, and a practical cotton hat, the sort with a mesh vent that runs around it, and wide brim to keep off the sun.

**kilted2000** · 17th April 23, 05:15 PM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

In my experience natural fabrics such as 100% cotton and 100% wool breath better and are cooler in warm weather than synthetic fabrics.

I have a Harris Tweed jacket which can be worn in warm weather just fine. With 100% wool jackets the heat is held in not by the wool but by the polyester lining; order jackets unlined or partially lined if you can.

It is possible to have the lining removed on an existing jacket. https://putthison.com/un-lining-a-ja...o-i-picked-up/

**OC Richard** · 18th April 23, 04:53 AM

Originally Posted by kilted2000

It is possible to have the lining removed on an existing jacket. https://putthison.com/un-lining-a-ja...o-i-picked-up/

Thanks for that!

When I've ordered bespoke jackets from some makers I've been given three options

-fully lined

-half lined

-unlined

but when I ordered a bespoke tweed jacket from St Kilda/RG Hardie/Gaelic Themes I was told "the lining forms an integral part of the jacket's structure" and all their jackets were fully lined.

I simply don't believe it.

**PiperPadre** · 18th April 23, 06:52 AM

Originally Posted by kilted2000

It is possible to have the lining removed on an existing jacket. https://putthison.com/un-lining-a-ja...o-i-picked-up/

I gave my tailor who had never been involved in any Highland wear projects a well fitting tweed jacket and waistcoat that I have. It's ideal for cool weather, given the weight of the tweed. But many of our Highland Games are in the the hottest times of the year. I had her use this for the lining:

https://www.moodfabrics.com/premium-...tai-pv2000-106

And this wool/linen blend for the suiting:
https://www.yorkshirefabric.com/prod...eck-wool-linen

The results were amazing. I recently competed in Dunedin, Fl which is hot and humid (don't ask about my solo competition results....). the 5 yard kilt and this jacket/waistcoat made for a very comfortable day.

Given the linen content it breathes quite well but can wrinkle. Putting it in a drier with an ice but or two on low for 10 minutes gets rid of the wrinkles quite well.