tartan alternatives to wool- why?

[MacLowlife]

A few days ago we were discussing a silk twill kilt. It brought to mind the different reasons different people have for not wanting a heavy wool kilt. Some can't afford the fabric, some want ease of care, some want something they can beat on, some may be allergic, some just don't need the weight in their climate.

I believe the reason no single alternative fabric has arisen is that no one fabric meets everyone's needs.

I am posting this thread in hopes of gathering the various reasons people want a tartan kilt made of something other than the traditional wool and, if possible, also to gather their present solutions and accommodations. I would love to hear from kilt makers, but also from kilt wearers and, if possible, tailors and designers of all stripes ( ha ha) and maybe even some mill owners or weavers.

My first vote is for a traditionally woven silk-wool blend in a lighter weight that could be made into a traditional kilt, only for wear in temperatures in the 80s and 90s ( Fahrenheit). Does anyone know of a mill making silk-wool tartan flannel or worsted?

What's yours?

[ChattanCat]

Wool has an interesting characteristic. It molds under heat and pressure. The wool kilt can mold itself to the body.

[svc40bt]

My vote would be for a CoolMax (special extrusion of polyester) and rayon (viscose) blend, but in a heavier yarn than Marton Mills current line (12 oz).

I have been very happy with my USA Kilts semi-traditional, but after getting a Burnett's & Struth casual made of 16 oz Lochcarron wool, I can appreciate the structure of the heavier fabric.

[RockyR]

[QUALITY] Wool is perfect for a kilt in every way except one... price. It's not cheap.

MM PV fabric is the CLOSEST thing to wool, is less expensive (not the CHEAPEST, but less than wool), BUT it's not as heavy as I'd REALLY like it to be. It IS heavier and has better drape than any OTHER 'low price' fabric, but I'd still like to see 16 oz PV fom MM. no other place that weaves PV has quality CLOSE to MM.

[svc40bt]

I agree Rocky, the Marton Mills PV is nice, especially in warmer weather. Using CoolMax for the Poly part of the blend would make it even better for warm weather.

[bricelythgoe]

I own a wool kilt. It is a very nice looking kilt. However, despite what people say about wool being able to 'breath' better because it is a natural fabric, IT IS HOT! When I am at the highland games and it is close to 100 degrees out, I would not want to be wearing anything wool, even a kilt (although I understand some of you like to). To me the PV is cooler and much more comfortable. I am hoping to get an 8 yard pv from Norcalpiper soon.

Brice

[HarborSpringsPiper]

I'm probably going OT with this question but never having worn a kilt that wasn't heavyweight wool, how do these other materials look and feel? I have a 4 yard box-pleat and it is certainly lighter and cooler than any 8 yard I have had, but I don't live in the tropic zone, so I'm not testing it like y'all in the South. I have worn the kilt on hot days but am not sure anything but a bathing suit with me in water would have made it any better. What are the others like??

[dfmacliam]

If you are wanting a tartan... MartonMills p/v is your best bet.. but if you can wear solids, well I believe MM is an option, but other kiltmakers use a poly blend, that looks good too.. check out Freedom kilts, Steve has some nice kilt
options.

I know we have member of the forum, who have issues with wool.. one in particular, his wife is allergic to wool. I believe there are many options, to keep our fellow kilters, enjoying the lifestyle, we all enjoy.

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

...
...one in particular, his wife is allergic to wool. I believe there are many options, to keep our fellow kilters, enjoying the lifestyle, we all enjoy.

I'm not sure if this is referring to me or not, but that's my reason for wanting PV rather than wool. I'm allergic, but it's mild enough that I can work with wool, as long as I don't let it touch more sensitive bits (like inner arms, thighs, etc). Hands are ok.

PV seems to drape well and move like wool without the heat and itch. As far as I can tell, having made a kilt out of it, it also seems to mold with the heat and pressure just fine.

Be well,

[SteveB]

Traditional Wool kilt is the BEST.

Rocky's Semi-trad, or Steve's Freedom Kilt in PV is the next best.

The wool kilt gets a LOT of use, but the PV is great for the pub, Celtic Punk concerts and taking care of house full of the wee 'uns.

The contemporary (non-tartan) kilts have their specific uses as well.

Kilt on