The Versatility of a 5-yard kilt

[cessna152towser]

I wore the new Dark Island 5 yard 13 oz today. Had to go into the court offices to do paperwork from yesterday's court. Was seated at a desk which was in view of public reception and a voice called from the counter "I see you are wearing a kilt", from the local Councillor, who often wears a kilt in the Elliott tartan though he was not kilted today. He admired my new kilt, and I mentioned that I had seen his recent photo in the local newspaper, kilted at a tree planting ceremony. I had to attend Magistrates training in the evening and having arrived at the venue direct from the court office with an hour or so to spare I decided to go for a walk and covered a mile or two of the adjacent St. Cuthberts Way from Newtown St. Boswells to Dryburgh Abbey through a variety of terrain, riverside, woodland, steps etc... The kilt received complementary remarks from passing hikers and later from several people at the training conference. The office, a hike, a training conference, all in the one day and all in the same kilt which seemed entirely comfortable and appropriate for all 3 activities.

[Southern Breeze]

Great story. One of the things I admire about the kilt is being able to wear the same one to a casual, semi-formal or formal event. You can't do that with jeans.

[RockyR]

I find that as the weather's been getting a bit hotter out here, I've been wearing my 5 yarders more than any other kilt I own.

[Southern Breeze]

I find that as the weather's been getting a bit hotter out here, I've been wearing my 5 yarders more than any other kilt I own.

I'm doing the same. It looks like my heavier weights finally get some time off.

[billmcc]

I agree. A 5-yarder is more versatile and more enjoyable to wear than a full 8-yard kilt. Furthermore, most people don't know you aren't wearing a full kilt.

[NewKilt]

I'm waiting on two 5 yarders from Scottishkilts.net. Can't wait to try them out. They are 16 oz, so I'll have to see how they do in these hot, humid Missouri summers.

Darrell

[BLAZN]

I find that as the weather's been getting a bit hotter out here, I've been wearing my 5 yarders more than any other kilt I own.

Me, too. Wait... all I own are 5 yarders.

Great story. I love that the Councillor is know to be kilted just to be kilted!

[M. A. C. Newsome]

http://kilts.albanach.org/pics.html

The top right pics on this page are of Dave (a forum membe here) in a 5-yard knife pleated kilt I made for him in ancient MacFarlane.

Further down you can find a pic of MacSimion in his 5-yard knife pleated Fitzsimmons kilt.

I've got a 5-yard knife pleated kilt in Harris Tweed.

See I sometimes make kilts other than box pleated. :-)

When I do a knife pleated kilt, I always like to use 5, rather than 4 yards, simply because it allows me to make the pleats just a little deeper, and that little bit of difference makes the kilt really look less "casual" and more like a typical kilt. But oh so much more comfortable, and the people on this thread have noticed.

M

[andyfg]

I have two four yard Locharron casuals and a five yard made by Alexis Malcolm. They are all comfortable to wear. The difference? In the five yard, the pleats are deeper and fewer of them (but it is very nicely pleated to sett and the sett determines the number and depth, I understand). I think I detect a little more "swing" in the five yard (though it's hard to tell when you are wearing it and not seeing it.) I have never worn a tank so I cannot comment, but the info, Matt, on your web site, is quite convincing about both the historicity of the "less material" kilt and the user-friendly-ness. As you will be making a box-pleat for me later, I wonder what the "swing" is like compared to the knife-pleated kilt?
Thanks.

[David Thornton]

I was afraid to order a 5 yard when I started wearing kilts. A crusty old McDonald said it was only fit for wee lads and um never mind.
I have one friend that can see the difference.
They are easier to travel with, very comfortable and mine were exceptional values.