What exactly is a “casual” kilt?

[KennethSime]

I’ve only worn the traditional 8 yard kilts but I am thinking of buying a USA Kilts 5 yard wool kilt. But I’m a little confused about what the difference is between this and my 8 yarder. Besides the amount of material used, is the construction different? Does it hang and move differently? Also, does their PV kilt look and feel very different from wool? I prefer wool, but the price of the PV kilts is very tempting.

A lot to unpack here. Note that Steve's definitions are those that folks may use here on XMarks, but USA Kilts has their own marketing terms which get used for their products. While there are many similarities between kilt makers, there are just as many differences - in their marketing was well as everything else. As Father bill points out, if you're asking for a definition, you may as well make up your own first. So, let's just use Steve's for now, which are very well thought-out.

The USA Kilts 5-yard wool kilt is made with less tartan cloth, and lacks the internal construction of a traditional 8-yard knife-pleat kilt, which Steve calls a Traditional Kilt. Their tweed kilts and their Semi-trad kilts are made in the same way, using tweed and Marton Mills polyviscose tartan, respectively. This means all three would fall into Steve's "Casual Kilt" category.

Since these "casual kilts" have aprons which are about the same size as an 8-yard kilt, there is a lot less material in the back - roughly 3 yards less. Making due with less material means that the pleats have to be shallower, and less numerous. Most people will not notice the difference, but you probably will if you're familiar with an 8-yard kilt.

The pleats will swish a bit less, and since they weigh less as a whole, they'll have less momentum and stop swishing faster. Now, that's not a bad thing - I find a 5-yard is a bit less fussy for everyday wear. However, it is a marked difference, and I wouldn't personally try to dress up a 5-yard for a black tie event if I had an 8-yard at my disposal.

USA Kilts' Casual Kilt is actually made with even less material, and while they're great for what they are, they're really just a piece of PV tartan that's been trimmed to size, pleated up, sewn down, with some velcro sewn in for closure. Oh, and belt loops. Great for wearing to the pub, a concert, etc. For anything athletic, I like Sport Kilts better: they don't look as nice, but they stay out of your way better.