Help with first kilt

[Panache]

Thanks for your input Jamie, it is very helpful and thanks for the pictures as well as it helps give a visual and spark ideas. I was wondering if you have experience with the 8 yard wool vs the 5 yard wool. I think I've made up my mind to go wool but now I'm deciding just which way to go. I think I like the idea of the 5 yard being potentially cooler in the summer and lower cost but I'm weighing that vs the quality and look of an 8 yard kilt. Would you have any input on that?

Also, what would be your opinion on the black argyll vs the charcoal jacket discussed? It seems to me that the charcoal version is technically tweed as I can only find black argyll vs charcoal tweed argyll style like the one seen here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MENS-CHARC...aPGyDFPck6PodQ (not sure if that link comes through or not).

djallen813,

I do not have experience with Rocky's 8 yard hand sewn kilts, only the 5 yard ones with machine sticking. They have a different and simpler internal construction than an 8 yard* hand sewn (basically once you get past 5 yards of wool cloth you have to stick with the traditional Scottish way of doing it or all the cloth from the pleats bunches up around the top of the kilt and you would look like a sausage).

It boils down to number and depth of pleats. with and 8 yard traditional kilt you get lots of deep pleats and they will have that wonderful "swish" when you walk or dance. I do not notice all that much difference between my 5 yard, 6 yard, or approx. 8 yard wool kilts in the heat. I do notice a significant difference between my lightweight PV USA semi traditional kilts and my wool ones in summer. If you can afford it, the hand sewn 8 yard traditional hand sewn kilt is the absolute best. However Rocky's 5 yards are a wonderful value and you get all the beauty of real wool tartan and the fit of made to measure with them.

I edited my original response to you and when I did so I addressed charcoal gray tweed jackets. To reiterate..they look wonderful!
I like them a lot. Yet they don't have the versatility for daywear and more casual occasions than other lighter tweeds. At the same time they can't be dressed up as formally as a standard black barathea argyll.

Cheers

Jamie

* They really aren't exactly eight yards to be honest. It all involves the size of the tartan set, the measurements of the wearer, etc...