Traditional Highland Wedding Attire?

[The Wizard of BC]

glynrb,

Perhaps as a kiltmake, who is asked questions like this on an almost daily basis, I can offer some answers to your questions.

First, as to the reaction to wool...
Kilts are normally made from what is called "worsted" wool. This very seldom causes any dermatological reaction. There are basically two types of reactions to wool. The first occurs due to the sharp ends of the wool 'hairs' where it is cut from the sheep. These ends can sometimes be sharp and may sometimes find their way into the pores of skin. This can cause small welts to rise. This condition is called "Contact dermatitis'. Contact dermatitis will usually occur with wool that has these small ends sticking out in different directions. As "Worsting" softens, stretches and lays parallel the fibers of the wool and then spins those parallel fibers very tightly, Kilt wool is not very prone to this condition.

Another, rare but reported effect is a chemical reaction to the lanolin on the wool or to any chemicals remaining on the fabric from the manufacturing process. This condition is an allergic reaction. The truth is that very, very few people have an allergy to lanolin. Wool has been the premier garment fiber for many generations. What many people associate as a wool allergy may actually be a reaction to the modern chemicals remaining on today's fabrics. A good dry cleaning or perhaps repeated cleanings will, in most cases, remove these excess chemicals.

Wearing underwear or even bike shorts or cut-off long johns has been effective for many people in alleviating these reported reactions. An under garment similar to a slip can often help too. Many of out members report using an underkilt or slip like garment with their kilts. Just not one with lace at the bottom hem.

Wearing a skirt has always been the preferred dress for ladies when it is warm. Any skirt like garment is going to be cooler than pants. We actually call it "Kilt Conditioning". Not only are our kilts open at the bottom but we have all those pleats back there creating a large fan capable of creating quite a breeze on a hot day.

Yes, there is a high quality synthetic Tartan fabric suitable for making kilts. It is woven by a company in England called Marton Mills. And yes, they do have the Clergy Tartan in their stock Tartan line. I have made many kilts, sashes and ladies wraps in the Polyester/Rayon blend fabrics woven by Marton Mills. This fabric is listed as being 375 grams per linear meter which is significantly lighter than 16oz wool which weighs 500 grams per linear meter.
As a comparison, the acrylic used in your imported kilt will be approx. 100-110 grams per liner meter.
These Poly/Rayon blends are actual Tartans and make a very nice, machine washable/dryable kilt. They are very wrinkle resistant and the pleats almost never require touch-ups with an iron.


And finally I personally would not wear, or suggest to my customers, that they wear a utility style kilt to a wedding. These garments are normally considered casual or rough work kilts and to my eye would not be in keeping with the more formal setting of a wedding. A solid colored kilt made like a traditional kilt could however, be very nice if that is your personal style.
I would avoid the very wide reverse kingussie pleat styling, the narrow aprons and plethora of buttons, snaps and other metal found on many utility style kilts.