Kilt material experiences

[billsides]

I am a new member here but have worn kilts for 51 years. I own many and wear one not less than 3 times a week and my experiences differ at times from what I read on this site. Perhaps some posters had little experience before writing so wrote what the salesman said which is not always true!
My kilts range from cheap E-Bay Acrylic Pakistani to mid range off the hook PV, relatively cheap made to measure Scottish made wool also off E-Bay to very expensive made to measure in Edinburgh of both 13 and 16 Oz weights plus a couple of well used wool ones that I was given.
The Pakistani Acrylic ones pill badly but are very comfortable and reasonably sewn. Now shabby, I wear them almost daily around the house or my garage. They clean easily and have already outlasted many pairs of work trousers. Poly-Viscose kilts are dearer and seems look "new" longer. They pill less so can remain reasonable for a fair while if well sewn. Nylon thread stitching in one Scottish made one let go but was easily fixed with cotton threads. PV is far less wind affected, despite both materials being billed as 16 0z fabrics (which I doubt). My worsted wool 13 oz and 16 oz kilts remain as new after 100's of wearings, seem indestructable, immune to cat fur and hold pleats. I find 13 oz 6-8 yd best in summer for dancing, 9 oz wool is cooler but bad in light winds, has poor swing and is easily damaged by kilt pins so is unlikely to last long or be reliable if going traditional while 16oz 8-10 yard wool kilts will swing and look the best. Old Military kilts are great in drizzle or when bush camping but are not as comfortable due to weight mainly but do seem to last for ever.
I am considering buying low cost kilts for comfort during garage and yard work because I am concerned about fire risk with my old acrylic ones but fail to see how the 9 oz fabrics supplied by many American kilt makers could stay down in outdoor conditions if made like a kilt. Most photos I see show twisted pleats and creases far worse than now on my ancient unpressed Pakistani ones which makes me wonder about quality too!
Maybe somebody with significant experience can enlighten me.

Bill

[Chas]

Hello Bill,

Welcome to XMarks from the other side of the world in Norfolk, England.

You have put some good points and my experiences with Pakistani kilts are similar.

Regards

Chas

[Spartan Tartan]

Well, I certainly am not one to "enlighten" anyone...but I can say from Oklahoma City!

[The Wizard of BC]

Hello and welcome billsides.

Would you please re-phrase or clarify your question. I don't seem to be able to understand what you are asking.

[billsides]

Thanks for your comments,
I write this while comfortable lounging in an ancient acrylic Pakistani Kilt because it is comfortable. Now scruffy and not as I first bought it, it remains far more comfortable than an expensive tartan woollen dressing gown. This Pakistani kilt is 8 years old and cost just A$80 delivered, complete with sporran, worn many 100s of times and no different to many expensive ones on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh with (I suspect) identical origins. My other kilts all have Scottish origins. All were good value (why I bought them) All are used mainly for mainly Scottish dancing (where critics abound). The Pakistani ones are retired effectively, only the pilling spoils them, not a stitch has slipped. Starch and ironing would restore shape but decrease comfort. In recent times I wear them nearly daily in my garage midst grease and filth and they always wash up perfectly: better than pants. Good value - yes. Would I buy more yes - but only for casual use except in their first few weeks when they can look very good. A cheap Pakistani kilt is in my profile photo along with some old cars I built and work on while wearing them! My Scottish blood makes me practical, you need cheap ones for work but I have better for public wear. I am sceptical about the work ones being promoted as I like being free, but suspect they be poor for modesty being just 9 oz. My 9 oz wool kilt is only useable indoor or away from wind but its low weight means it does not lift much if burling and it lacks the nice swish when walking. It is rather feminine.

Bill

[Father Bill]

No idea how to answer your question - you're much more experienced than I, but welcome, Bill, from Bill!

[billsides]

I have kilts of many types and have worn kilts for ages. Now retired, I am wearing out tired old cheap Pakistani kilts in my garage (I restore old cars which often involves welding and grinding) so am concerned about flammability and may replace them with working kilts. Most seem safe enough but are light. I am not very interested in pockets, loops and the like appendages but do like working free, so weight is of interest. I have a 6 yard 9 oz woollen kilt that is hopeless outdoors and all work kilts found to date are no heavier. I prefer traditional kilt designs. Camo should show stains less and be cheaper and most be as safe as wool so interest me. Decent pleats are desirable but have significant uplift in winds.Camo fabrics all seem light with obvious implications. That is my concern. Maybe somebody has experience with these lighter materials or knows where heavier materials are available.

Bill

[McFarkus]

from Chicago

[tpa]

A warm Scottish welcome from middle England.

[The Wizard of BC]

billsides,

I guess I'm still a little confused. The fabrics I use in my solid and camo kilts range from 13oz for the Polyester/Cotton blends up to 18oz for the Winter weight 100% Cottons.

I have no knowledge of any 9oz fabrics used by N. American kilt makers. There are the retailers of kilts made elsewhere in the world that use the extreme ends of the Acrylic ranges. These can be a light as 6-7oz. Their heavy-weights range from 10-12oz.

P/V as woven by Marton Mills is 12oz.

The weight of the lightest Wool Tartan fabrics available from the big kilt fabric weavers is 10oz. Some weavers do sell lighter fabrics but it is mainly used for housewares and accessories.

Could you please let us know who or where these 9oz fabric kilts you refer to are.