16oz wool kilts hang better, but the sharpness of the pleats tends to "roll out" quicker. Also a lot warmer and feels more secure to wear. So better for winter, but perfectly ok all year round. It's only disadvantage (for some) is being heavier, not forgetting the added weight of the sporran, belt etc. As well as the rest of your highland kit, it's a lot to carry around compared to just jeans and a simple top. I'd go for 16oz if you intend to get a lot of wear, lighter for one-off events.
? I saw Barb T. comment on "x marks the scot". That the pleats depth depends on the size of the sett. I am a newbie. I got a secondhand 13-14 oz, HOE 8 yard. Has 30 pleats. To the sett. With the pleats depth about 3". With some variants, I got a "made to measure " 5 yard 16 oz. To the stripe. The tartan has a dominant stripe. Alternating colors. They asked which color I preferred. That made the sett 11". The depth of the pleats is 4.5", with some variants. They actually gave me 6 yards to yield 17 pleats. I think they are both awesome. The 5 yard has one pleat that kicks. I imagine most made to measure will. Due more to the shaping. I think formally. More pleats. Smaller reveal looks better. I am casual. I like fewer pleats with a larger reveal. The next kilt will be 6 yard, 13oz ( HOE tartan says 13-14).
OK. You spoke overall about 5 & 8 yard kilts. However in the beginning Rocky said that on a "sliding scale" it almost depended partly on the weight of the material. Can we elaborate some on that? How much difference between a 13oz material vs a 16 oz material in the swing of a kilt? I think I've seen somewhere in looking over the tartan selections on the USAKilt website a few 11oz materials. I believe I have a 13 oz Angus tartan 8 yard kilt. I enjoy wearing it but, I don't believe I have a real sensing for a feeling of wearing it as far as a "swing" is concerned. I spend my time in my kilt sawing, and hand planning while dimensioning and joining at a low workbench and, assembly table. Maybe I'm just to focused on the work in front of me?
Swing is something more witnessed by others (behind you as you walk) and less you yourself as the wearer. For our wool kilts on our website, we don't offer 11 oz as an option as it's a little TOO light (in our opinion), so we don't have it there for people to buy. CAN we make a kilt in 11 oz? Sure, but that would be one you'd have to specifically ask for (via email or over the phone) and essentially "sign off" on the fact that you specifically WANT a lighter weight wool kilt.
The exception for me was getting a 'Great Kilt' in an 11 oz. This was my first premium piece of plaid. Why? Firstly, for celebrating my Anniversary annually at the Renaissance Festival. Very few know or care about the relation of authentic historical vesture and modern tartan and how it's worn. My pursuasion came after talking to enough guys about too much fabric being not for the faint in heart on a hot day.
I’ve had 5 yard acrylic and all of my 8 yard has either been wool or poly viscous. Personally I like the feel and weight of an 8 yard much better than a 5 yard. A 5 yard especially in acrylic is just too light. I almost feel like I’m wearing nothing. And honestly, I don’t mind the extra added weight of an 8 yard. It does nothing to my back and really is much more comfortable. But, on a hot day. Well let’s just say that I probably will get a few 5 yard kilts for like athletic events and Highland games. With Velcro instead of strap and buckles, you know because he gets hot.
+USAKiltsOfficial *A 16-oz. wool 5-yard is perfectly acceptable for everyday wear for a man ≤ 35" at the waist.* A 13.5-oz 8-yard better accommodates a ≥ 36" waist, in addition to permitting greater swing.
Speak to the company / person who is making your kilt and let them tell you how much cloth to order. The length of cloth used depends on your measurements as well as the company's "standards". Example: a "Casual Kilt" from a Scottish company (made in Scotland) might only use 4 yards of cloth for a 40" hip measurement, where we (USA Kilts) would make that a 5 yard kilt. It also depends on whether the cloth is double width or single width.
8 yard 16oz wool kilt always hangs better than anything else.
Thank you. This is good information. I belong to a Highland Masonic Lodge where this is proper dress.
I prefer my 8-yards in lower weight wool, but my 5-yard in 16oz wool is also great.
So would a 13oz 5 yard wool kilt be the "best" (coolest, but still having good hang and swing) for hot Texas days?
PV is a little more lightweight and people seem to like it in warmer weather
16oz wool kilts hang better, but the sharpness of the pleats tends to "roll out" quicker. Also a lot warmer and feels more secure to wear. So better for winter, but perfectly ok all year round.
It's only disadvantage (for some) is being heavier, not forgetting the added weight of the sporran, belt etc. As well as the rest of your highland kit, it's a lot to carry around compared to just jeans and a simple top.
I'd go for 16oz if you intend to get a lot of wear, lighter for one-off events.
? I saw Barb T. comment on "x marks the scot". That the pleats depth depends on the size of the sett. I am a newbie. I got a secondhand 13-14 oz, HOE 8 yard. Has 30 pleats. To the sett. With the pleats depth about 3". With some variants, I got a "made to measure " 5 yard 16 oz. To the stripe. The tartan has a dominant stripe. Alternating colors. They asked which color I preferred. That made the sett 11". The depth of the pleats is 4.5", with some variants. They actually gave me 6 yards to yield 17 pleats. I think they are both awesome. The 5 yard has one pleat that kicks. I imagine most made to measure will. Due more to the shaping.
I think formally. More pleats. Smaller reveal looks better. I am casual. I like fewer pleats with a larger reveal.
The next kilt will be 6 yard, 13oz ( HOE tartan says 13-14).
OK. You spoke overall about 5 & 8 yard kilts. However in the beginning Rocky said that on a "sliding scale" it almost depended partly on the weight of the material. Can we elaborate some on that? How much difference between a 13oz material vs a 16 oz material in the swing of a kilt? I think I've seen somewhere in looking over the tartan selections on the USAKilt website a few 11oz materials. I believe I have a 13 oz Angus tartan 8 yard kilt. I enjoy wearing it but, I don't believe I have a real sensing for a feeling of wearing it as far as a "swing" is concerned. I spend my time in my kilt sawing, and hand planning while dimensioning and joining at a low workbench and, assembly table. Maybe I'm just to focused on the work in front of me?
Swing is something more witnessed by others (behind you as you walk) and less you yourself as the wearer. For our wool kilts on our website, we don't offer 11 oz as an option as it's a little TOO light (in our opinion), so we don't have it there for people to buy. CAN we make a kilt in 11 oz? Sure, but that would be one you'd have to specifically ask for (via email or over the phone) and essentially "sign off" on the fact that you specifically WANT a lighter weight wool kilt.
The exception for me was getting a 'Great Kilt' in an 11 oz. This was my first premium piece of plaid.
Why? Firstly, for celebrating my Anniversary annually at the Renaissance Festival. Very few know or care about the relation of authentic historical vesture and modern tartan and how it's worn. My pursuasion came after talking to enough guys about too much fabric being not for the faint in heart on a hot day.
I’ve had 5 yard acrylic and all of my 8 yard has either been wool or poly viscous. Personally I like the feel and weight of an 8 yard much better than a 5 yard. A 5 yard especially in acrylic is just too light. I almost feel like I’m wearing nothing. And honestly, I don’t mind the extra added weight of an 8 yard. It does nothing to my back and really is much more comfortable. But, on a hot day. Well let’s just say that I probably will get a few 5 yard kilts for like athletic events and Highland games. With Velcro instead of strap and buckles, you know because he gets hot.
+USAKiltsOfficial *A 16-oz. wool 5-yard is perfectly acceptable for everyday wear for a man ≤ 35" at the waist.* A 13.5-oz 8-yard better accommodates a ≥ 36" waist, in addition to permitting greater swing.
If I’m looking to have a kilt made, either 5 or 8 yard, do I purchase exactly that amount of yardage or do I buy a little bit more?
Speak to the company / person who is making your kilt and let them tell you how much cloth to order. The length of cloth used depends on your measurements as well as the company's "standards". Example: a "Casual Kilt" from a Scottish company (made in Scotland) might only use 4 yards of cloth for a 40" hip measurement, where we (USA Kilts) would make that a 5 yard kilt. It also depends on whether the cloth is double width or single width.
I prefer 4-5 yards.
60% better?
13 oz better. 16 not necessary. I think swing is way overrated. Good hang is important though.
Rocky , drink more 🥃