13 oz tartan fabric, what to do?

**Manu** · 17th July 18, 02:11 PM

So, as I decide how to use the gift card my wife got me for USA Kilts, I've come to the conclusion that I will be getting a premier model (machine stitched, hand finished, all the internal bells and whistles) in the County Cavan tartan from House of Edgar. Now, I have always been a fan of the idea of the 6 to 6.5 yard kilt for weight and balance reasons. I've seen Matt Newsome's 6 yard knife pleated kilts and they are a thing of beauty. I'd say climate because I live in South Florida, but im not sure that extra 1.5 yard would make a difference in temperature. The thing is, County Cavan tartan is only available in 13 oz fabric. My question to those with experience in both 13 and 16 oz fabrics, is the weight difference so noticeable that a 6.5 yard kilt in 13 oz will feel too light and weak? Beyond the ability to hold a pleat better, is the difference between 16 and 13 oz that noticeable that the full 8 yards are needed to feel it's a solid kilt? Thank you much in advance rabble!

**Tarheel** · 17th July 18, 03:15 PM

I don't have a 16 oz. kilt but do have a 13 oz knife pleated kilt. I'm only hot around the waist (stabilizer and lining) in the hot of days of Sept. (football season at Ole Miss). The humidity is the catch here. If you have lower dew points and breezes, you may be fine with either weight fabric. My kilt holds the pleats just fine.

Maybe other members will pipe in and give you different experiences.

**Liam** · 17th July 18, 04:26 PM

I have wool kilts in 11, 13, 16 and 22 oz. The 4 yd 11oz kilt is great in the extreme heat. The 22oz is great in the extreme cold. While you can notice the difference between the 16 and the 13oz, both weights make great kilts.
Slainte

**Famous Willie** · 17th July 18, 05:21 PM

I have two 13 oz 4 yd wool kilts. During our really hot temperatures the last few days, that got to 35° C with a 46° Humidex (95° F with a 115° Humidex), I hardly noticed the Kilt at all after having them on all day, I did feel it around the waist where they were buckled coming on the end of the day. I wear my Kilt in all temperatures, Been known to wear them in the Cold of Winter, Even Shoveled the Drive and the Walks in my kilt.. I don't have a 16 oz kilt, that is on the Wish List, So I can't really make comparisons, but I can tell you I am truly pleased with my two 13 oz kilts. The way they feel, where I can have them on all day and not notice them, and the way the fabric hangs, and does give a bit of a Swing to the Pleats, to Give the Lasses something to look at as I walk away.. I think you will be happy with your 13 oz kilt..

**Manu** · 17th July 18, 11:52 PM

Thank you all for the input!! I've just read so many times in this forum that if you're gonna go with a lower yardage than 8 yards, you must use 16 oz, otherwise it will too light, so I guess i might be a little too worried, and going to a middle ground between 8 and 5 yards, the 6.5 yards of 13 oz might be just fine.

**davidlpope** · 18th July 18, 12:45 AM

The main benefit of a low-yardage kilt isn’t that’s it’s cooler, although it is, it’s balance. In a modern 8yd kilt there’s about 6 yards of fabric in the back and 2 yards of fabric in the front. That makes the back of the kilt much heavier. A 4 or 6 yd kilt is balanced and just plain feels better.

I have both 13oz. and 16oz. 6 yd knife pleat kilts. They’re both fine. The 13oz. Is my go-to for hot summer events.

Enjoy your new kilt!

**ForresterModern** · 26th July 18, 04:59 AM

I've 17 (I think) 8 yard kilts in 12, 13, and 16 oz wool, plus one Kingussie 6 yd in 16 oz wool. I've shied (?shyed?) away from 4 and 5 yards kilts, a personal preference. Although I think few would debate that 16oz has a slightly more traditional and majestic "swing" than 13oz, the swing of the 13 oz is more than adequate IMHO. And yes no doubt 6yds are cooler than 8yds, 4 yds even more so, and 13oz is cooler than 16oz or worse 18 oz. But in many ways I think the tartan weight (as well and amount of tartan yardage) plays more of an effect in the overall weight of the garment that needs to be carried around than in the "breeze thru the knees" effects of different weights. Also the heavier weights mean more weight and thickness in the body and waist of the kilt, meaning less breathability around ones torso, meaning more percieved feeling of heat and sweating about the midriff. My greatest sensation of being overheated while kilted on a warm day comes between the navel and the "nuggets", so the speak, plus the overall effects of carrying around a heavier weight of garment (usually at least 4x more weight) than a simple pair of shorts.

**Manu** · 26th July 18, 01:52 PM

Thanks all for the responses. I've been mauling over this for a couple of weeks now and decided to do the 8 yard. I've never owned a tank, and I figured this is a good opportunity to get one, or should I say a heavy armored vehicle since it's gonna be 13oz fabric

plus my wife likes the pleat work on the full 8 yards better than 6 yards. Now the wait begins!!

**John_Carrick** · 28th July 18, 05:28 AM

Thank you for this timely thread. I ordered an eight yard 13 oz kilt this morning and had a twinge of buyer's remorse and have wondered if I should go back and amend the order. I have eight 16oz "proper" kilts, so I think I shall await my new order and see how it turns out.
(20% off offer with the Kilt Society in Scotland.)

**Manu** · 28th July 18, 06:31 AM

Originally Posted by John_Carrick

Thank you for this timely thread. I ordered an eight yard 13 oz kilt this morning and had a twinge of buyer's remorse and have wondered if I should go back and amend the order. I have eight 16oz "proper" kilts, so I think I shall await my new order and see how it turns out.
(20% off offer with the Kilt Society in Scotland.)

You're welcome! I'm with you on the 16 oz fabric, and if County Cavan were available in 16 oz, I would have opted for it, but unfortunately it is not, so 13 oz it will be. By the way, that 20% off is too good a deal to pass!