New kilt purchase

[California Highlander]

OK, that's a good starting point. I would have to say that the thing that makes the most difference to my eye is the number/width of pleats. Casual kilts or "pub kilts" are easily spied from a distance due to their wide, shallow pleats. Whether a kilt is wool or PV is not going to be easily distinguished except by up-close inspection. So using a PV material can save cost without much (if any) reduction in visible quality. Using the most material possible within your budget will result in a kilt that appears to be higher quality, i.e. more traditional.

I like that USA Kilts lists the pleat width on each of their models. Their traditional 8-yard kilt has visible pleat widths of 0.8" to 1". Their 5-yard wool has 1" to 1.2" pleats. The 5-yard PV semi-trad has 1" pleats. The only thing is, due to the lower yardage, the pleats won't be as deep or swish as well as a higher-yardage kilt. But from a distance, it can look decent enough.

If I were looking in the price range you've mentioned, I'd probably swing for the 5-yard wool kilt. It will have about the same width pleats as an 8-yard, but just with less depth. The extra $100 expense for 5-yard wool over 5-yard PV will be in the material itself, which has a better swing/swish.

Tobus, that was my thought process too! I decided on a 5yd, 16oz kilt from USA Kilts in Mackintosh. It's generally going to worn at highland games in California, out to tea with the family, or maybe a holiday dinner.

I did also get a PV casual for a "pub & hiking kilt" but think that the 16oz wool 5-yard is really the best compromise for what the OP is looking for.

Imbrius, I note that you are in Wisconson, so you'll probably have hotter, more humid summers and colder, wetter winters, so YMMV.

[imbrius]

Tobus, that was my thought process too! I decided on a 5yd, 16oz kilt from USA Kilts in Mackintosh. It's generally going to worn at highland games in California, out to tea with the family, or maybe a holiday dinner.

I did also get a PV casual for a "pub & hiking kilt" but think that the 16oz wool 5-yard is really the best compromise for what the OP is looking for.

Imbrius, I note that you are in Wisconson, so you'll probably have hotter, more humid summers and colder, wetter winters, so YMMV.

You are correct. I tend to run hot, rather than cold, so lighter weight is appreciated. But 5 yards is 3 yards less swish than 8. :P