Quote Originally Posted by longhuntr74 View Post
Owning two 8 yard tanks and one box pleat, I'd argue for the 5 yard. Actually...I'd argue for a 6 yard made in the traditional style with cut pleats, stabilizer, canvas, etc....but that aside, I think the 5 yard is more practical, comfortable, and enjoyable. I have no issues wearing my 8 yard...but unless I'm going to a special affair, I always seem to reach for the lighter weight kilt for wear at games, out and about town, etc.

My next kilt that I make myself will be a reduced yardage, handsewn kilt very similar to Matt Newsome's that were recently showcased in a thread. It doesn't have all the weight and thickness of a full 8 yard tank, but the pleats still look traditional and have a similar swish, etc. That is the ultimate compromise between casual and formal in my opinion.
Totally agree. I have 2 handsewn 6-yard 16-ouncers from Matt, and two 5-yarders (one 16, one 13 ounce) from Rocky at USAK. I like all of them. If you don't tell anyone who sees them that they're not a full 8 yards, they'll never know.

And keep in mind that for about the first century of kilt wear (if you want to stretch it to include the untailored feileadh beag as well as the tailored kilt) the standard was four yards or so.