8 Yard Kilt in 13 oz VS 16 oz

[super8mm]

I am going to take a plunge and get a 8 yard kilt in my clan tartan and was wonder besides being heavier does the 16 have better attributes over the 13 oz?

Maybe things like looks,
holds shape better
swings better.

I am going for a well dress look might even get a Prince Charlie, and go with the idea that I can always dress it down.

I do live in Texas but I am pretty acclimated to the heat as I ride a motorcycle all year long with full gear and a full face helmet.

[Spartan Tartan]

Well...personally, I prefer heavier. I live 3 hours north of you in OKC... That said, I don't wear my 8 yarder all day in the sun. I have lower yardage kilts that I use for less formal events or extended out door/hot events.

If you plan to wear it more for nice events and indoor (with the a/c), I would definitely recommend the 16oz. The heavier material, in my experience, holds shape better. Can't comment on the swing--you'd have to ask my wife

[Nick the DSM]

It holds the pleats better, a lot of people can agree with that. When you sit down for a while and get back up the pleats will go back to their place. I wouldn't worry about the heat too much in it either.

And I'm sure many will agree, you can't dress down a Prince Charlie. It's too formal looking even if you "dressed it down". It's like having rust on a Ferrari. (Not saying you'd be a bad person to "dress down" a PC jacket). But it's too classy looking as it is to fit in with less formal events.

[xman]

... like looks,

Heavier weights means more distance between tartan pattern changes or a larger sett size which I find pleasing, so yes.

holds shape better

In general, yes a bit, but more depends on which mill the fabric is from I think.

swings better.

Yes this is true as well, but mostly this comes down to the amount of fabric used.

[Barb T]

And it doesn't wrinkle as easily, and it swings like a dream. In terms of being too hot, I wear a 16 oz kilt for piping in parades and competitions during the summer, and the hot part, to me, is the kilt hose. The kilt itself isn't hot except under the belt, and that's just as true for a 13 oz kilt.

Because sett size varies so much from tartan to tartan, the rule that sett size is _generally_ larger in heavy weight tatan is really only meaningful for a given tartan. It's perfectly possible to have a light weight tartan that has a much larger sett than a different tartan in heavy weight.

And kilt swing depends on the amount of tartan in the kilt and the portion of the fell. All other things being equal, though, the heavier weight swings better.

[super8mm]

Thanks guys that is great to know as for my first kilt in my tartan I want a good one, then latter maybe get a more casual one, I do have a casual one in American Herritage now.

I didnt mean to dress down the PC jacket but to wear a 8 yard kilt with maybe a turtle neck or polo shirt, something like that.

[Nick the DSM]

I didnt mean to dress down the PC jacket but to wear a 8 yard kilt with maybe a turtle neck or polo shirt, something like that.

Alright, understood then.

[super8mm]

xman is there someplace I can learn more about the quaility of the mills?

I have noticed that in my Lamont tartan some of them have sort of a slick finish and others are a bit more fuzzy looking, at least by looking at the pictures posted

[Paul Henry]

The only way you can judge the quality of cloth is from samples, most mills will send out samples, often for a small charge, but it's worth it.
One thing that you will learn very quickly that the actual colours will vary from Mill to Mill, as there is no absolute colour value in the threadcount ( formula of the pattern) Many of us prefer cloth from certain mills over others, but that doesn't actual mean that those are better , just different!
Mills to check for a start are Locharron, Strathmore, House of Edgar, DC Dalgleish and Marton Mills, but there are others as well

[dea3369]

I do live in Texas but I am pretty acclimated to the heat as I ride a motorcycle all year long with full gear and a full face helmet.

Please let me know as soon as you figure out how to wear a kilt on a motorcycle.

I am a Dept of USAF civilian and have to abide by the same personal protective equipment (PPE) rules when riding on-base. And I'm crazy enough to attempt kilt+motorcycle as soon as I figure out a way. (I've thought of a knickers-type thingy with velcro that I can quickly remove once off the bike.)

edited: Or maybe some false "leggings"...