Traditional kilts vs. modern and casual kilts

[davedove]

Anyway, with the above arguments in mind, can anyone direct me to a few kilt manufacturers who make heavier wool box-pleated kilts. I've found one - Albanach.org, but I'd like to find others for comparison, as I'd like to get myself a good winter kilt so that I can be as comfortable as possible in all weathers.

Albanoch.org kilts are made by our own Matt Newsome and he makes a good product. The kilt I got from him is made from mediumweight wool and actually seems a little light, so it you're going for winter wear, I would definitely suggest a heavyweight wool.

[Southern Breeze]

If heavyweight is what your looking for, ckeck out What Price Glory. They have reproductions in 22oz. wool. http://www.whatpriceglory.com/ There is also several threads on them here at X-Marks.
Keep an eye on E-Bay, they have the occasional heavyweight militery kilt. I've picked up several there.

[furrycelt]

In the non-traditional category, you can look into http://www.pittsburghkilts.com/ with flannel linings. That feature is sold as a way to add warmth to a kilt. I don't own one (but want to), so I am not sure how they perform.

-ian

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

In the non-traditional category, you can look into http://www.pittsburghkilts.com/ with flannel linings. That feature is sold as a way to add warmth to a kilt. I don't own one (but want to), so I am not sure how they perform.

-ian

As the pround new owner of a lined PK (see my post here), I can say that it is a great kilt and the lining definitely adds warmth. The material itself (a brushed granite twill), is also not light. And the underapron pocket is great. For that alone I want to wear it everyday. The only drawback is that this material (regardless of lining or not), seems to wrinkle a little more easily than some others. Not a big deal, as it is styled more casually than a trad.

[Canuck]

Berry
I find the kilt a warmer garment than trousers in the winter. I live in the great white North and wear a kilt year round. I wear my cotton or hemp kilts year round and find they keep me rather warm no matter what the weather. I also have a wardrobe of leather kilts and they are nice and warm in the winter and surprisingly cool in the summer.
In your argument above what is the actual feelable degree temerature wise. I would think for the average joe it would be hard to tell the .5 degree difference. between the pleating arrangements. Also it may depend on how many yards one is confining to the backside. An 8 yd 11oz may be warmer than a 4yd 16oz or 4yd 22oz. With all due respect methinks you are thinking too much.... I think you will be rather comfortable in a 10oz cotton kilt as a 16 oz wool kilt if it contains the same amount of fabric.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Just to follow up on what Dave said -- his kilt was made from 13 oz cloth. Most of the box pleated kilts I make are from 16 oz cloth, which is what I prefer to work with and works out really great for an all-weather year-round kilt.

Some tartans are available in a regimental weight (18 oz) cloth -- those are:
Black Watch, Cameron of Erracht, Forbes, Gordon, Mackenzie, Stewart Hunting, and Royal Stewart.

Also, you may want to consider a heavy weight Harris Tweed cloth for a kilt. As I state on my web site, I don't have a wholesale supplier for Harris Tweed yet, but I do link to several places where you can purchase the cloth yourself on line, and then you can send it to me and I'll be happy to make the kilt from it.
http://kilts.albanach.org/tartans.html

Aye,
Matt

[GlassMan]

DC winters aren't that bad, and this winter has been incredibly mild, but I find that I'm plenty warm in a knife-pleated kilt, especially in a tank.

I have rather poor circulation in my extremities, so I'm more worried about my lower legs, but a good pair of wool kilt hose takes care of that problem.