Enough tartan to kilt a king

[Troglodyte]

Picture the scene: you've stumped-up the cash, trotted off to the kiltmakers, and ordered yourself a new kilt.

And you think you've pushed the boat out by opting for a five-yard job instead of a feeble four yard garment.

But wait. Now's your chance to be properly lavish, and go for the full nine yards - or is that too much..?

Oh lads..! No! Not by a long chalk.

For George IV's visit to the old kilt country in 1822, the royal outfitter's records show they supplied The King with a costume consisting of 61 yards of 'Royal Sattin Plaid', 31 yards of 'Royal Plaid Velvet' and 17 1/2 yards of 'Royal Plaid Casemere'. Cripes!

Now, we know George IV had a hearty appetite and had a figure that showed it, but more than 100 yards of material for one costume suggests the less-is-more approach might have been more seemly.

Or maybe not. I would love to have seen The King clad in such an abundance of finery, but my guess is that, unless the material was like ribbon that got sewn together, he must have have other garments made from the bulk of cloth, or shared it out amongst his friends and family.

On the other hand, how many pleats would the kingly kilt need to have to use up 61 yards of cloth..?