The Versatility of a 5-yard kilt

[M. A. C. Newsome]

http://kilts.albanach.org/pics.html

The top right pics on this page are of Dave (a forum membe here) in a 5-yard knife pleated kilt I made for him in ancient MacFarlane.

Further down you can find a pic of MacSimion in his 5-yard knife pleated Fitzsimmons kilt.

I've got a 5-yard knife pleated kilt in Harris Tweed.

See I sometimes make kilts other than box pleated. :-)

When I do a knife pleated kilt, I always like to use 5, rather than 4 yards, simply because it allows me to make the pleats just a little deeper, and that little bit of difference makes the kilt really look less "casual" and more like a typical kilt. But oh so much more comfortable, and the people on this thread have noticed.

M

[andyfg]

I have two four yard Locharron casuals and a five yard made by Alexis Malcolm. They are all comfortable to wear. The difference? In the five yard, the pleats are deeper and fewer of them (but it is very nicely pleated to sett and the sett determines the number and depth, I understand). I think I detect a little more "swing" in the five yard (though it's hard to tell when you are wearing it and not seeing it.) I have never worn a tank so I cannot comment, but the info, Matt, on your web site, is quite convincing about both the historicity of the "less material" kilt and the user-friendly-ness. As you will be making a box-pleat for me later, I wonder what the "swing" is like compared to the knife-pleated kilt?
Thanks.

[David Thornton]

I was afraid to order a 5 yard when I started wearing kilts. A crusty old McDonald said it was only fit for wee lads and um never mind.
I have one friend that can see the difference.
They are easier to travel with, very comfortable and mine were exceptional values.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Andy asks:

As you will be making a box-pleat for me later, I wonder what the "swing" is like compared to the knife-pleated kilt?

Basically the "swing factor" is going to increase with the amount of cloth.

In a four yard kilt (weather box pleated or knife pleated), an average sized gent is going to have a bit under two yards of cloth in the front aprons, and a bit more than two yards of cloth in the rear pleats. It other words, it is a fairly balanced garment. Makes it extremely comfortable, but you don't get near as much "swing" as you do in the eight yard kilts.

In an eight yard kilt, you have a bit under two yards in the front, and the remaining six-plus yards in the back. All this extra weight back there is what gives you the "swing" when marching on parade, dancing, etc.

Personally, since I rarely march or dance, I'm not that concerned about "swing-factor." :-)

David writes:

I was afraid to order a 5 yard when I started wearing kilts. A crusty old McDonald said it was only fit for wee lads and um never mind.

I remember talking to one kilt maker in Scotland (who shall remain nameless), who was trying to sell me his services. I asked him if he offered 4 or 5 yard kilts. He replied, with a note of disgust in his voice, that he was not interested in making "women's skirts." I knew right then that he wouldn't be making any kilts for me.
M

[Colin]

I have some 14oz wool I am just waiting to have made into a 5 yard kilt. I think the 5 yard will be exactly what I am looking for during the summer.

[BLAZN]

I just thought of something... my kilts are actually 5.5 yard kilts. Mine just don't look as good as the ones on M.A.C's site. Barbs book should set me right, though.

[Joe Gondek]

I own one kilt and it is 6yd. 16oz and it hangs and swings very well.
I'm waiting on a 5 yd 16oz blackwatch from scottish kilts.com
I think that for regular use the 5 yd kilt is more comfortable
I do plan on getting a 8yd make to use for formal but that way in the future