Wearing traditional tartan kilts makes the Scots or Irish people proud. They wear random tartans now but think about various factors while choosing a kilt, such as its historical importance and the right-sized tartan.
Tartan comes in multiple sizes and there are 2 standard sizes: 8-yard and 5-yard tartan kilts. These tartans are the most worn, while some other sizes including 7 yards and 10 yards are available in the market today. Here, we will let you know how many yards of tartan you require to make a kilt and tips to choose an accurate kilt size.
What Is Tartan?
A tartan is a fabric with specific patterns having vertical and horizontal lines. This fabric is commonly used to make kilts, a traditional attire of Scotland and Ireland. Tartans have become their traditional identity now. There are different tartans in these countries.
A majority of tartans is clan-based and specific people are allowed to wear. On the other hand, some tartans serve as universal and have no restrictions.
Moreover, tartans are made with different fabrics, including acrylic, wool, cotton, etc. They are available in thousands of patterns today but have some specific size variations to make kilts. We are going to discuss these sizes next or tell you how many yards of a tartan are required to make a kilt.
Tartan Required To Make A Kilt
Tartan required to make a kilt is a common query that people make. When it comes to the standard size for making a kilt, there are just a few, including 5 and 8-yard tartans. Some industries also craft 7 yards, and this size is seeking people’s attention with time. Other than that, some companies also provide customized sizes, according to your needs.
8 Yard Tartan Kilt
Let’s start with the most common size of tartan used to make kilts: 8 yards. This fabric size is known to be a bit heavier than the other sizes. Its history can be traced back to the 16th century when kilts were invented. Mostly, the Great kilts were also 8 yards, and they were also used as a cloak.
The 8-yard tartan kilt was worn simply, and it elaborated itself with time and added more accessories. In the 18th century, it became part of the Scottish military, increasing its value. These kilts were daily wearable once and later became specified for the event. This specific size comprises extra pleats on the rare side, ensuring unrestricted movement and adding more details to the kilt. This kilt size is typical for weddings, ceilidhs, and other formal events today.
5 Yard Tartan
5 yards tartan is also a very common size for making kilts today. A 5 yard kilt sounds the same to the previous one but may have a difference in pleats. Moreover, it is worn according to your jeans’ waistline, while the 8 yard sits a couple of inches above the waistline.
It gained fame for its practicality in the 18th century when Scots realized they needed something lighter for outdoor activities and Highland games. So, they made kilts with this size, which had pleats for flexible movement and did not owe a weight compared to the 8-yard tartan kilts. Being lightweight, a 5-yard tartan kilt offers comfort as well. These features make it a good choice for Scots to be worn at casual events like weddings and other festivals. Besides, the low price and easy care also increased its demand with time.
7 Yard Tartan
Let’s talk about the 7-yard tartan kilt, which is not so common, but some people still prefer it. This size was introduced in the early 20th century and is now considered an alternative to the 8-yard tartan kilt but it is slightly lightweight. It also has some effective pleats on the back.
However, modifications in the future are not possible when made once, otherwise, it performs like the 8-yard tartan and is wearable on different occasions.
Tips To Choose The Right Tartan Size For Kilts
Now that you know the different sizes of tartans, it’s also essential to understand how to choose the right size. Here are a few things to remember when selecting the appropriate size.
Choose The Weight
When it comes to the weight while choosing the accurate tartan size, you have 2 points to keep in mind. First is your weight; if you owe too much weight, you may need a customized tartan size or the 10-yard tartan discussed earlier which is quite heavy and can be costly.
Another point is the weight of the tartan you buy. Tartans usually come in 3 weights: lightweight, mediumweight, and heavyweight. All these weights are available in different tartan sizes, so you must know what length and weight you should buy.
Figure Out Your Requirements
Figuring out your requirements is also an essential factor when you choose the size of tartan. You know whether you need any alteration after purchasing a tartan or not; it lets you decide between the 7-yard and 8-yard tartan kilts. Besides, the number of pleats and events you need to wear a kilt also falls into your requirements.
Conclusion
Wearing a tartan is a good way to appreciate your heritage, and its appropriate size impacts your comfort level. So, you must know about the size or yards to make your kilt.
Generally, there are 2 standard sizes, while the option of customization is available depending on your needs. So, when you buy a tartan for a kilt, ensure you choose the right size, weight, and know your requirements while purchasing a tartan. How Many Yards Tartan To Make A Kilt?
