Kilt for wedding - Help!

[Splash_4]

I will be going to my nephews wedding in June. He has decided to have himslef and his groomsmen kilted (Way to go nephew) and I wanted to wear one as well. However, this leads to my question. I currently own only 1 kilt (a black Stewart from SWK) and had planned on purchasing another one in the family named tartan. Now comes the dilemma, I am having a hard time in deciding between a 4 yard box pleat, a 5 yard knife edge or the traditional 8 yard knife edge. I am also struggling with the weight of the wool (mind, this wedding will be in Albuquerque, NM in the summer). Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I would also cover your opinions on which of these tartans... I am trying to decide between the MacKinnon modern or the MacKinnon ancient hunting.

Mike

[Caradoc]

I would also cover your opinions on which of these tartans... I am trying to decide between the MacKinnon modern or the MacKinnon ancient hunting.

I've always liked the "ancient" and "weathered" tartans more than most of the regular tartans, so I'm going to have to put my vote with the MacKinnon Ancient Hunting.

My own wedding kilt was a Weathered Lochaber.

New Mexico in the summer? 4-yard box-pleat in 11-13oz. You'll still be sweltering, but it'd beat an 8-yard knife-pleat in 15-16oz Strome!

[HeathBar]

Go with the box pleat. While I don't own one, I've seen several and am very impressed. I'm assuming you are talking about the ones made by Matt Newsome. He is a regular poster in the forum. I would also go with the box pleat because it's different.
When ever I am able to afford a new kilt. That is number one one the list.
As for weight, I'd stick with 16oz. Its the best weight for kilts. And 4yds would make it light enough in the New Mexico heat.
After looking at the MacKinnon tartan, the modern is very dark looking. The Barclay Htg Modern I have has similar colors and is very dark looking. I think the ancient colors would show off the tartan better.

I hope this helps, good luck.

[GatorUK]

I have an 8yd 13oz and have not had any problems with the heat down here in Key West. In fact I was cooler that if I were wearing jeans. The thing thats gonna heat you up is the jacket and, if you wear one, the waistcoat.

[Barb T]

I have an 8yd 13oz and have not had any problems with the heat down here in Key West. In fact I was cooler that if I were wearing jeans. The thing thats gonna heat you up is the jacket and, if you wear one, the waistcoat.

Frankly, what's _really_ hot are the kilt hose. I wear a 16 oz, 8-yard kilt in the summer for pipe band competitions and for parades, both of which require a lot more effort than standing around, and it's the socks that are the killer, not the kilt.

Barb

[sav]

I agree with Barb...the kilt hose are the real culprit.

[Pour1Malt]

get a real 16oz 8yd kilt... they is nuthin else like them!

[Panache]

I have a Matt Newsome 5 yard knife pleat in 16 oz. wool and am very pleased with it . It doesn't have as many pleats as my 13 oz. (?) 6 or so yard Stillwater Heavyweight wool kilt, but it feels much lighter. I can wear it all day and it doesn't feel heavy. The 16 oz. wool gives it a nice "swish". I didn't think too much of box pleats until I saw one in person. They really look quite nice. I think whichever way you go, you will be happy.

Cheers

[O'Neille]

I wore two different 8 yard wool kilts in Phoenix Arizona last August. My 13 oz for the day and a 16 oz for the evening were good. I was much cooler than anyone wearing pants. If I'm going to be outside and doing a lot of moving then I wear my 5 yard poly viscose or other light kilts up here at 4400' altitude. I was in Albuquerque last month to see Kathy Lare and was wearing my 8 yard Clarke and it was quite comfortable w/ just a t-shirt. I would have been hot out of the air conditioning w/ my P.C. rig. My recommendation is to go for the heaviest and best kilt you can for the wedding. O'Neille

[Bob C]

If you're bujying a new kilt, get the kilt you want - not onje geared for the weather on one particular day.

Now, some personal preferences that will rankle some folks here: I prefer the brighter modern colors to the faded ancient ones and find most hunting tartans to be less attractive than their regular counterparts.

Box-pleated kilts remind me of my daughter's cheerleading skirt.

Take that for the little it's worth. We all have preferences. Go with yours.