Men's Kilt Guide
Fabric and Kilt Style Differences
5 Yards and 8 Yards
There are a few differences between 5 Yard and 8 Yard kilts, the main one being the amount of fabric used to make each kilt, a difference of 3 yards.
As the 5 Yard Kilts are made with less fabric, this means the pleats are wider and there are fewer of them compare to an 8 Yard Kilt and the overall weight of the garment is lighter even when made from the same material as there is less material to be used in the kilt.
There is also only one buckle on either side of a 5 Yard Kilt as opposed to an 8 Yard Kilt which has two buckles on one side and one on the other for a total of three buckles.
Lightweight, Mediumweight, Heavyweight Fabric
The weight of the wool fabric used to make a kilt varies from lightweight 11 oz fabric to 16 oz heavyweight fabric normally.
Some kilts are even made in regimental 18 oz fabric but this is usually only for military or pipe band kilts.
Lightweight 11oz fabric is preferred by those in warmer climates as it allows you to still wear the traditional outfit but not have to worry about the heat of a kilt.
A lightweight 11oz kilt is made in the same way as a mediumweight 13oz or heavyweight 16oz kilt and will have the same look but will have a different swing to the pleats at the back of the kilt due to the lightness of the fabric.
The only other difference between lightweight and the other tartan fabric weights is that it can have a smaller sett of the pattern as this weight of fabric is normally used for other kilt accessories such as ties.
The mediumweight 13oz fabric provides an in-between for those who want the look and proper swing of a heavyweight kilt but are looking to reduce the weight of the kilt from the more traditional 16oz heavyweight fabric.
Depending on individual sizings and measurements, this can mean the kilt is between 250g to 450g from a heavyweight 16oz kilt.
Although there does not seem like a large difference between this and the 16 oz heavyweight fabric, when wearing the lighter kilt you can feel the difference in this weight.
Both of these fabrics, the mediumweight 13oz and heavyweight 16oz, have the same drape and swing when worn.
The heavyweight 16oz fabric is the traditional weight of fabric used for kilts and remains the most popular weight chosen for Men's kilts and as such has the greatest number of tartans options available for ordering.