Pictures of my Great Kilt-a versatile garment

[Angus]

Nice pics DW, always liked that tartan....Nice pleating btw looks good.
Can you tell a big difference in the "hand" from the 16 to the 19oz or is it perty darn close?

[David White]

Nice pics DW, always liked that tartan....Nice pleating btw looks good.
Can you tell a big difference in the "hand" from the 16 to the 19oz or is it perty darn close?

I'm fairly sure this is a 16oz weight. I'm not sure of the difference to be
honest. This would be a good question for Matt Newsome!

[Brasilikilt]

Hey there!

I like the kilt so much I would also like to get one!!

I was looking at Tartan Web's website and wasn't able to tell if their kilts are all wool, or a blend.......for the price they're charging, I'm guessing they use blended tartan.

I would LOOOVE a %100 wool great kilt, but think I might have to save my coins for quite a long time to get one.

take care

Iain

[Woodsheal]

I was looking at Tartan Web's website and wasn't able to tell if their kilts are all wool, or a blend.......for the price they're charging, I'm guessing they use blended tartan.

I'm pretty sure all of those "ranges" of great kilts from Tartan Web are 100% wool. On their old website, they used to have more detailed descriptions, and I don't recall any "blends" being mentioned....

[efer]

Nice pics, DW. You wear the great kilt well.

It's not for me but I do enjoy seeing others kilts. Your great kilt is truly a versatile garment.
Cheers

[Angus]

I'm fairly sure this is a 16oz weight. I'm not sure of the difference to be
honest. This would be a good question for Matt Newsome!

I remember reading Tartanweb's old site and it stated something bout the width and the weight being different. A heavy 19oz twill weave...something bout an ice age....and that it was 60 some inches wide...So you really cant tell a difference huh?......I'll see if I can find it on their new site but no promises.

[David White]

Wool, Baaaaaa.
I think they work directly with the mills. Its a cooperative effort if I remember correctly.

[Woodsheal]

Here's a pic of a great kilt (preferred term: "belted plaid") worn with 17th c. (1640's) garb (it's pinned to the left shoulder with a bone "bodkin"):

[MacWage]

In a great kilt, tucking the ends (to corners) in across the front takes up a substantial amount of the fabric in a tight bundle. Thus, the volume is GREATLY reduced.

I have one that is BARELY over 3 yards and it actually looks pretty good. This one is actually about to be converted into a waist-down kilt.

I am reluctant to pin the upper part to the shoulder for 2 reasons:
1-> only SMALL pins (to big of holes otherwise) -and I like Penangulars(sp?)
2-> in heavier weight wools, it pulls back to much. Thus, the shoulder is pulled back, unless the jacket is REALLY tight.

The latter is because one of my first Belted Plaids was a large swath of 20?/30? weight wool (similar to the older HEAVY regimental kilts). It is WAY to hot for most days, including WINTER down here.

Really, 4 yards is PLENTY. My first one started as 8 yards, was cut down to 6, then 4.5 yards in efforts to reduce the bulkiness. Two of these yards are now Kilt #2 (which I am wearing RIGHT NOW). It's a burgundy-ish brown, olive green and navy variation of Black Watch (I wonder if its even a "real" tartan-I haven't IDed it if it is?).

Lastly, for Belted Plaids, pick a pattern (note-I didn't even say "tartan" here) YOU LIKE! From the verbal and portrait evidence, thats what the Scots did back when Belted Plaids were the common garb. My first two materials were chosen because one looks like "neutral naturals" (the brown/green/navy one) and the other (the HEAVY one) is a hunterish olive with royal blue, bright red, and yellow striping. My other two that WILL remain BPs are Black Watch and Dress Gordon.

Some even suggest that you STEER AWAY from clan tartans, as such perpetuates the pre-18th Century existance of these associations.

Yet, if you do choose known clan tartans, treat them with respect, as you WILL draw even MORE attention than a "normal" kilt.

If you note the above, I have 2 "chosen for the colors" and 2 "clan tartans" that I am leaving alone. Several others are now "normal" kilts, or to be converted.

As for accesories, use common sense, as you would with regular kilts. One special note is that jacket lengths matter FAR MORE with BPs than sewn kilts. Long coats "turn up" inside the upper part and look REAL STUPID. I wear ones that are cut off AT the waist (wherever you wear the belt, which holds up the plaid). Make the belt, shoulder pin/broach, sporran, and the like appropriate for the situation.

One last note: Belted Plaids are MUCH HOTTER than waist down kilts. In the 40 degree F winters, I usually wear little more than a T-shirt of light long sleeve. Such is one reason my "kilt" wearing was sporadic until I "broke down" and learned how to make sewn kilts (after a bad experience-see below-with cheap bought kilts and being to poor/cheap to buy a good one).

Overall, A well worn BP is more practical, warmer, and better looking than a typical (read cheap) sewn kilt, though MUCH more difficult to put on and MUCH more blatant in public (read eye catching).

[Woodsheal]

MacWage,
I would agree with everything you say, except the use of penannular (means "almost a circle") brooches. They were not used beyond the late Middle Ages, and are thus totally incorrect historically for any of the time=frame belted plaids were worn....