Thoughts on an 18oz 5yd Kilt vs. 16oz 8yd'er

**keith_b** · 9th December 13, 01:26 PM

I've been thinking of picking up a 5 yard tweed kilt, something in a nice check. There's one tweed I particularly like, but it's only offered in an 18oz weight, for the same affordable price as the 16oz options.

I own a PV casual kilt (lightweight) and a 16oz 8 yard kilt, so I don't really have anything to compare it to. I was looking at the reduced yardage kilt, because I wanted something a little cooler to wear at indoor events, but something that would still keep me a little cozy outside in the Fall. I find my 16oz 8 yard kilt almost uncomfortable at times when attending indoor events, coupled with tweed jacket, etc... Do you think the 18oz, 5 yard kilt would be any cooler, more comfortable to wear? Or would it net out to the same level of comfort; I may reducing the total yardage in the kilt, but increasing the weight of the wool??? Does that make sense? Thoughts?

K.

**keith_b** · 9th December 13, 01:29 PM

Admin, would you be so kind as to correct the spelling mistake in the subject line, I can't seem to figure out how? I meant "Thoughts" of course. It'll drive me crazy...hahaha.

K.

**Pleater** · 9th December 13, 01:37 PM

T - ah -dah

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

**Hopper250** · 9th December 13, 01:55 PM

The total weight would be lower on the 5 yard.

**keith_b** · 9th December 13, 02:36 PM

Thanks Pleater!

And thanks Hopper250.

**Spartan Tartan** · 9th December 13, 06:48 PM

It is my experience that the amount of material is more significant.than the weight of material. Specifically when dealing with 16 v. 18 oz. I would imagine that 5 yards of 18oz will be more.comfortable to you.

Just my opinion. My 6 yarder is heavier than my 8yarder and the 6Yd is cooler in doors.

**OC Richard** · 9th December 13, 06:59 PM

I much prefer the heavier tartan, but with fewer yards.

I have a 16oz 9-yarder and it's so very heavy in the back.

When I was in a certain band around ten years ago I noticed how comfortable to wear the band kilt was, how nicely balanced. It was 16oz but only had around 7 yards in it.

So when I ordered my Isle of Skye I did it like that.

My most recent kilt is a beast: 18oz MOD style tartan but the full 8 yards.

**KiltFitz** · 10th December 13, 05:48 AM

You should try my 11 and a half yard, 16 oz tank on a hot day. Phew!

**Riverkilt** · 10th December 13, 07:28 AM

The look of the pleatwork will be much different. The 5 yarder will have fewer pleats....a LOT fewer pleats... If that's okay with you then its no matter.

**Grizzled Ian** · 10th December 13, 01:42 PM

With only three thicknesses of material in the pleats, a regular box pleated kilt has less fabric in it than a knife pleated one (unless the knife pleats are unusually shallow), and the fore-and-aft weight distribution is much closer to half-and-half than with a knife pleat.

Matt Newsome at New House Highland is your go-to guy for box pleats, but I have a boxer that Barb Tewksbury made, and there must be others out there willing to make them.

Matt and Barb have written instructions for making a box pleated kilt, one of many sources of illustrations for different pleating styles.