what weight tartan for my kilt

[David Dubh]

Hi all
I'm looking for some more advice for my next kilt. I'm possibly considering doing dress macdonald for my next kilt. I would like to do a single width with a traditional selvedge end. It will be an 8 yarder. I like house of edgar colours in the medium weight, but I think that I want a heavy weight tartan. My question is should I just do the medium weight or I could go for custom woven by dc dalgleish having them use the same colour wool. My present kilt is 16oz macdonald of the isles ancient from marton mills.
What say the rabble custom woven or HOE medium weight???

Regards David
ps I think I'm going with Randell's of Edinburgh for the kilt maker.
Slainte

[xman]

If you're really stuck on the HoE colours then the choice is obvious. Dalgleish will likely not be able to match them exactly. If the material weight is more important than the precise colours, then the other choice is obvious. Which are you willing to make a small concession on? It is a small concession either way and I'll bet you'll grow to love the kilt nonetheless whichever choice you make.

[David Dubh]

I'm not stuck on HoE colours. But I do like them better than lochcarron's colours. Would heavyweight or mediumweight be better for the kilt?

[mookien]

Since you wrote, "I would like to do a single width with a traditional selvedge end.", I assume you are not interested in Lochcarron cloth because of their tuck-in selvedge?

Does HoE do traditional selvedge? If so, are they the only weaver other than Dalgliesh? If "yes" to both, then xman has pretty much hit the nail on the head. You have a decision to make.

Good luck, whichever path you take. I prefer heavy weight, because it hangs better. Some folks find lighter/medium weight cloth cooler.

[Spartan Tartan]

As for the weight of fabric, how do you like your other 16oz weight kilt? If you like that weight, I'd stay with it. I'm not too familiar with the climate in Red Deer...

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Without a doubt the 16 oz fabric is your best choice. If you are concerned that a 16 oz kilt may be too warm, have your kilt maker use 4 or 5 yards instead of the more common 7 or 8 yards and you will have a kilt that is cooler than the average 16 oz kilt, but still possessing all of the virtues of the traditional kilt when it comes to the way it hangs and moves when you walk or dance.

[David Dubh]

Thanks MacMillan, I'm not really worried about the kilt being to warm. The temperature here doesn't get much above 25C and I'm used to the 16 oz fabric. My biggest concern is the hang and swing of the kilt! Am I giving up much of that if I go medium weight. I don't want to get a kilt and be dissapointed. I would rather spend the extra to have a custom woven heavyweight if that is the best route to go.
David

[MrLion]

You are further north then I am in Oregon, and I've never found my 16 oz kilt to be too warm here, even in July/August. I'd recommend the 16 oz for sure.

[xman]

Would heavyweight or mediumweight be better for the kilt?

I don't have any medium weight kilts myself, but the ones I have seen and sewn seem fine for gentlemen to wear. That said, it is a common feeling that the heavier cloth makes a better kilt.

Does HoE do traditional selvedge? If so, are they the only weaver other than Dalgliesh?

Untrue. Strathmore weaves their cloth with a traditional selvedge. HoE has many plaids that use a traditional selvedge and some budget cloths that don't. Their MacDonald Dress tartans are, I believe in the former category.

[Riverkilt]

I can't see a noticable difference in the swing or warmth of my various weight wool kilts from various mills. I would recommend going with the color you prefer - be sure you see a real swatch first.

A personal preference is to have tartans that are important to me done up in the top of the line material - but I also have taken light weight cloth to get a kilt made in a tartan I like.

Bottom line - "Sorry cousin - there isn't an easy answer....pick one and enjoy it."