5 yard vs 8 yard

**PEEDYC** · 5th January 13, 12:18 AM

I travel to Gambia W Africa kilted and I can assure you that a 8 yard 16 oz would be overkill in the heat out there. I purchased a very light PV 5 yard one for that purpose. As far as I am concerned it looks okay ad that'll do for me!

**Stan** · 5th January 13, 07:48 AM

That's a great "emotional" response....LOL....

I'm not sure if I was drawn to buying a kilt (I now have several) because of my long ago Scottish heritage, or just because I (did and do) admire people who wear them, AND I think that they're cool.

Either way I like the ones that I've bought, could probably have made different choices, but then again I know a LOT of people who piss off the price of an 8 yard 16 oz. kilt every week at the local Indian casino.

When I quit smoking 8 years ago (and before the price went up) I used to spend $2,800 + a year on cigarets. Gezzzz that's a lot of kilts. And they last a whoooooole lot longer than a pack of Marlboro lights ...LOL... ( no offense meant to those of you who smoke)

So, seeing as I've (in essence) out lived all my other vices (a relative term any way) and I have three nice kilts, I think that I'm probably just keep buying one every now and then.......Why? Just because I like doing it......LOL...

**Mark Stephenson** · 5th January 13, 08:17 AM

Originally Posted by Dale Seago

Family/clan association first. I have three Douglas kilts: Modern, Weathered, and Grey.

Then military associations, US Army & Leatherneck (the latter an off-the-rack from Stillwater), as I was in both services.

"Regional" associations: California State, and Maple Leaf. The latter I got just 'cause I like the sett, though according to my late paternal aunt we have some southern Canadian ancestry back there somewhere.

Purely historic: "non-clan" tartan kilt, the sett reproduced by Peter MacDonald (figheadair here at Xmarks) from a coat found on the battlefield at Culloden.

And a couple of fantasy/fashion tartan kilts: One in the tweed fabric produced by the Islay Woollen Mill for Liam Neeson to wear in the movie Rob Roy. The other. . .Do a search here for the R'lyeh Sett.

I do agree with Dale. My kilts are all traditional, 16 oz. My first two were in my family (Stephenson Modern) tartan, My next was in my Clan (MacTavish Modern) tartan, and my most recent was military (USAF). I should say that the Stephenson tartans are 8- and 5-yards pleated to the set. The kilt maker was skilled in making 5-yard traditional kilts, and the set worked well with both 8- and 5-yard kilts. They are virtually identical, and both look great, but on a hot summer day, the 5-yard kilt is noticeably more comfortable. As I am at a lot of highland games each summer, I am having an 8-yard PV kilt made in MacTavish Hunting. It too will be a traditional style, but the lighter fabric should do well on hot days. My point is, if you wear the kilt frequently, and the venues vary, you will definitely come to appreciate having more than one kilt.

**Stan** · 5th January 13, 10:26 AM

Mark, that's some really insightfull information, and good to know.

It's seeming that there's really a lot of (potential) diversity about selection, and usage when talking about, and owning a kilt (kilts) and (at least for me) that diversity is really interesting. As a new "member" to the "kilt wearing society", it's been my observation (through the responses that I've been fortunate to have received to my posted questions) that guys who wear kilts aren't dummies.

I could go on and on about this but, I'll spare every one and just say, its nice to know that (apparently) people who will wear a kilt seem to have more in common than just (or at least) a Scottish heritage. Or maybe, my observation regarding this (apparent) intelligence and cultural acceptance is absolutely relative, and related to that Scottish linage ???...LOL........LOL..

Of course I agree with any one who agrees with me!...LOL....LOL...

**Stan** · 9th January 13, 01:48 PM

Hi Ken, thanks again for your input the other day. Today I placed my order for a 5 yard casual 13 oz. from Scotweb. I own three traditional kilts with two being 13 oz, and one being 16 oz. With spring closer to being here than fall, I chose the 13 oz. 5 yarder, and I'm already looking forward to it's arrival. If it's not heavy enough than I'll get a 16 oz.

In my world of work, and than just more work, when I divide the (aprox.) $300.00 cost by the 8-10 weeks (or more) that I may be waiting I have to attribute a fair amount of the cost of the new kilt to simply having something to look forward to. Not to mention that I'll have a something really nice at the end of the wait.

NBD, just thought that I'd let you know that of all the kilt makers that I've looked at it sure seems that the 5 yard wool casual kilt from Scotweb seems like the absolute best deal for the buck....today...

Stan L.