Difference between a "dancing" kilt and any other, and liners?

[wildrover]

Like the title says...how is a "dancing" kilt different from any other kilt? Specifically, how is it different from an 8yd, 16oz kilt?

Further, what is this "liner" I keep reading about...does it extend further down than the waistband?

Thanks,
Sean

[Heming]

The lining of a kilt extends down to the bottom of the fell, to cover up and protect the tailoring on the inside (canvas and suchlike). It's usually a light cotton broadcloth or similar.

Someone else will have to tell us about dancing kilts!

[JolyStNicholas]

Dancing Kilts! hehehehehehe!

[Panache]

The one and only Barb T would really be the one to comment on this, I'll send her a PM and will have to see if she weighs in.

As I recall Barb noted that the third strap on a kilt is not needed save for highland dancers who can use the additional help in keeping the kilt from flaring up.

Also dance kilts tend to use the dress tartans that show up better to a judge sitting some 30-40 feet away. From that distance a tartan with more subtle colors variations (i.e. Black Watch) are just going to look dark.

I have never heard of a longer liner for "dance kilts". Would this be for modesty? Because Highland dancers and Scottish Country Dancers, like Highland Athletes in general always wear some sort of dark colored underwear for modesty' sake.

Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

[The Wizard of BC]

To expand the explanation of the liner of a Kilt a little further.

Inside a Traditional Style Kilt in the area of the Fell which is where the pleats are sewn down and tapered, there are added internal constructions. Most noteabley are the Stabilizer which spans across the back from one buckle to the other to take the stresses of wearing the Kilt and keep them off the stitching. And the interfacing which is a piece of "Hair Canvas". This is not normal canvas but a product with is very loosly woven and stiffer in the vertical direction than in the horizontal. This interfacing reaches the entire length of the Kilt from one apron edge strap all the way across to the other apron strap.
The purpose of the Stabilizer and Interfacing is to take the stresses of wearing and moving in the Kilt and to help the Kilt keep its shape without puckers and popped stitches.
The excess fabric inside the pleats are also cut-away to thin the back of the Kilt preventing "Pillow butt"

The Liner is then sewn in to cover all the internal construction details.

Some think that the liner is there to keep the Kilt clean. Well, if that were the case then it would be removable and washable.

No, it's there simply to cover up all the unseen stuff built into the Kilt.

[The Wizard of BC]

To quote from "The Art of Kiltmaking"

"There's no such thing as a 'dancer's kilt', and kilts for dance competitions are measured and laid out exactly the same way as a kilt for a man."

pg. 25 second printing.

[Santa Kona]

Interesting.

[SFCRick]

never heard of a dancing Kilt

[Pleater]

When I bought some proper tartan fabric from an eBay shop there were some kilt lengths described as dancer's weight - which was 10 oz. They were indeed the dress version of tartans, or brightly coloured versions and I think that some were less than 8 yards - presumably for the young and slender.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[sydnie7]

I'll echo Anne, that dancer's kilts tend to be from lighter weight tartans. I recently queried an eBay seller who described their cloth as "great for kilts" only to find it was 8 oz.!