13 oz. or 16 oz.?

[M. A. C. Newsome]

For a casual kilt I would STRONGLY reccomend the 16 oz.

[thescot]

I own a handmade 13 oz, 5-yd kilt made years ago by a quality kiltmaker in Scotland. And I really like the kilt. It takes a real pro, up close and personal actually feeling the kilt to tell what it is. And you should know, it really is cooler than the other and heavier kilts.

But if I had it to do over, I think I would do it in 16 oz. You can go in to great detail with Matt about the reasons stated above, but I think the 16 oz. is just longer lasting, holds pleats better, etc.

But I'm still glad I have the other kilt.

How's that for wishy-washy!

[Macman]

I can't speak to Florida weather, but when it gets hot here I can't really tell the difference between 13 and 16 oz. in terms of comfort. I have a B & S casual, and I'm glad I got it in the 16 oz.

[billmcc]

I can speak to Florida weather, and a 4 to 5 yard 16 oz. kilt is tolerable if you aren't outdoors for more than an hour at a time.

[OC Richard]

I love the look, feel, hang, durabiltiy, etc of 16oz kilting fabric. Just feels more like a "real" kilt somehow.

But... when I was going to get my muted Drummond of Perth kilt (seen in my avatar) I went with the 13oz because, sadly, the colours in the same mill's 16oz weren't as nice. For whatever reason, several of the colours which appear in that tartan are slightly different in the 13 and the 16oz stuff.

I love my kilt and it looks great and is wearing fine. (Made by Wanda McSwain by the way.)

[ForresterModern]

I have a "6"yd B&S in 16 oz Weathered MacDonald and would not want it any lighter. I have both 13 and 16oz tanks, and like both, but fully believe that the extra fabric in the tank makes up for the lighter weight of the tartan, something that cannot happen in the 4-6yd kilt, especially when most of the shorter lengths are really not quite as much fabric as advertised (my B&S 6 yd actually only used 4.01 yd of tartan).

The only reason for not going with 16oz in a shorter yardage (or for that matter a full 8yd) kilt, IMHO, is if the tartan or shade of tartan is not available in the heavier weight. Might even be worth looking into having the heavier weight custom woven in your colors of choice, if possible.

One man's O.


jeff

[MacBean]

I have a B&S casual in 16oz as my first kilt; they happened to carry MacBean Ancient from Lochcarron mills. I wanted that tartan, spent a few days in Lochcarron this summer (though the mills are in Stirling), so how could I refuse? The 16oz is quite a light cloth, you won't have problems except in weather where any clothing is a problem.

[KFCarter]

I've got two 16 oz. 8-yarders and wear them regularly in Savannah in the summer and have not found it uncomfortable...sometimes a bit toasty around my middle but not bad if I go without a belt. I may go for a 4-yard box pleat eventually, for the very hottest days, but I'd definitely stay with the 16 oz. for all the above mentioned reasons.

[Iain Robb]

Well, I'm certainly convinced to go with 16 oz. Thanks!

[denmcdough]

I just bought an IoS from Scotland. The weight is 13 oz. and it's six yards. It's a wonderful weight kilt. I have not had it in hot weather, yet, but I'm sure it will do nicely. In Florida, if you went 16 oz., you might not even notice the difference, unless you run a marathon.