Welsh Ancient Cilts (Kilts)

There is little evidence that the Welsh ever wore kilts (cilts) historically. Welsh tartans have been created in recent times as a great way for you to honor your Welsh heratage, and are a great choice for those of Welsh descent who want to wear an Ancient Kilt.

These are the same style kilts worn in the movie Braveheart. Our Ancient Kilts are the perfect highland attire for Renaissance festivals and other reenactment events. Depending on who you talk to, they may be historically accurate or not, but our Ancient Kilt is much cooler and more practical than a Great Kilt for hot weather wear. We recommend them to anyone looking for the Renaissance Highland look.

Our Welsh Ancient Cilt is made from a long piece of single-width fabric, approximately 25 inches wide. This allows you to pleat the cilt with 2-3 yards left over that is worn over the shoulder as a sash. Normally, you pleat the cilt each time you wear it, and the only thing that holds it together is your belt. As a convenient option though, we can sew the pleats in place for you - see Cheater Pleats™ below.

The 6 yard cilt will fit up to about a 38 inch waist, a 9 yard Cilt will fit up to about a 50 inch waist, and a 12 yard cilt will fit 50+ waist sizes. If your waist size is close to one of these limits, consider the next size larger if you want deeper pleats. For example, if you have a 38 inch waist, a 6yd cilt will have pleats approximately 2 inches wide and 3-4 inches deep. A 9yd cilt will have pleats approximately 1 inch wide and 6-8 inches deep.

NOTE – Welsh tartans are not woven with a kilting selvedge, so kilts will be hemmed. (It still looks great though. You won't know the difference). Also, welsh tartans are woven a little looser, and have a softer feel than you will be used to if you are already familiar with Scottish tartans.

Please see our Ancient Kilt page for more information. Pleating and wearing instructions are included with each cilt, or you can download them here: How to Wear the Ancient Kilt (Adobe PDF format).

View our selection of Welsh Tartans

Welsh Ancient Cilt
KAW6 – 6 yds, $269 (fits up to about 38in waist*)
KAW9 – 9 yds, $399 (fits up to about 50in waist)
KAW12 – 12 yds, $539 (fits 50in+ waist)
Made from medium weight 12/13oz premium wool Welsh tartan. NOTE – Welsh tartans are not woven with a kilting selvedge, so kilts will be hemmed. Also, welsh tartans are woven a little looser, and have a softer feel than you will be used to if you are already familiar with Scottish tartans. Pleating instructions are included with each kilt. Traditionally these kilts are pleated each time you wear them. We ask for size information to be sure that your kilt will fit you correctly, but we do not pleat the kilt for you unless you also select Cheater Pleats™ as an additional option. Special order. Please allow 6-12 weeks for delivery.

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How to measure for your Cilt:
1) Measure the waist size at your actual waist, where you usually wear your pants.
2) Measure from your waist to about the middle of the knee.
Have someone help you. If you bend even a little while trying to do it yourself, the measurement will change.

Cheater Pleats™ (Optional) ($50 extra)

This is a nice convenience option. Your kilt will still look like you pleated it yourself, but you can take it off and put it back on any time you want to without redoing your pleats. (Depending on how concerned you are about the appearance, pleating your kilt can take anywhere from a few minutes to a half hour each time you wear it). We'll pleat the kilt for you and stitch a waistband inside to hold it all together. (A belt will still be necessary to hold your kilt on).

Here are your options:
Pleat to sett – each pleat is positioned so that the pattern (sett) appears to continue through the pleated portion of the kilt.
Pleat to stripe – we choose a prominent stripe in the pattern and center the stripe down the middle of each pleat. This is a traditional military style, and can look very nice. Some tartans just don't look good pleated to stripe however. If you choose this option we will let you know if it can't (or shouldn't) be done.
Box pleats – another traditional military style. Every other pleat is reversed. This creates pleats twice as wide (3 to 4 inches wide depending on the sett width of the tartan you choose) with tartan folded under both edges of the pleat. Incidentally, box pleating uses less tartan, so you can actually get by with a 6 yard kilt all the way up to a 50 inch waist. If your waist size is larger than 50 inches, and you would like box pleats, select a 9 yard Ancient Kilt.

Strap & Buckle – for an additional $15, we will stitch a leather strap and buckle inside the kilt to assist in putting your kilt on and keeping it on. It will be hidden out of sight, but allows you to tighten up the inside apron so you are not as dependent on the belt to hold things together. Not at all necessary, but nice for even more convenience.

How To Measure:
1) Measure the waist size at your actual waist, where you usually wear your pants.
2) Measure your hip at the fullest point, usually 6-8 inches below the waist.
3) Measure the length from your waist to about the middle of the knee. Have someone help you. If you bend even a little while trying to do it yourself, the measurement will change.

Would you like us to add a strap and buckle? If yes, checkmark the box below:
Add Strap & Buckle ($15 extra)

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