Riding in cars with kilts

[BonnieT100]

How do you guys keep from wrinkling the pleats while sitting in a vehicle? I have a truck, so I can't really just drop into the seat.

[Iolaus]

I don't worry about it too much; I just try to make sure I don't close it in the door!

In the Bronco, I sometimes brace my back against the seat, lift my butt, and try to get the mass going in generally the same direction, but that's about it; I'm always afraid I'm going to break the seat when I do that.

[davedove]

There are several little tricks you can pick up from the different threads, but the bottom line is that if you spend any length of time in the car, the pleats will be wrinkled. Kilts just weren't designed with car seats in mind.:confused:

[Blu (Ontario)]

Do the butt sweep. Sweep your hands under your backside to pull the pleats smooth before sitting. It works best with both hands. Use both hands. With a bit of practice, it becomes quite natural. It works indorrs as well as cars.

[Archangel]

Do the butt sweep. Sweep your hands under your backside to pull the pleats smooth before sitting. It works best with both hands. Use both hands. With a bit of practice, it becomes quite natural. It works indorrs as well as cars.

(Pontiac Vibe) I've given up worrying about it. My previous car was impossible to get into with a kilt, (every car designer should try getting into a Saturn in a kilt, no wonder they don't repeat sell to women.) This one is simpler but, with a full kilt, it's hard to get the bulk material to be comfortable without fussing. (If I have to fuss, it's a fashion statement, not clothing.)
I prefer to drive in shorts. If the drive is going to be much over an hour, I'll wear shorts and change there. That's easy enough to do right in the parking lot (the concept that started Sportkilt).

Now, loading the Vibe for a picnic in today's wind was a challenge.

Way too many parenthetical statements.

[Iolaus]

Do the butt sweep. Sweep your hands under your backside to pull the pleats smooth before sitting. It works best with both hands. Use both hands. With a bit of practice, it becomes quite natural. It works indorrs as well as cars.

It's a little difficult for him to do that while he climbs into a truck.

I'm with Archangel on this one; I may do a cursury sweep for comfort, like I described, but if I have to worry about the pleats too much, it becomes a fashion statement, not clothing.

[Yaish]

With my UK's its not very difficult, just sort of lift like Iolaus does and then sweep. Its a little harder in a traditional because their are more pleats and the material is softer. If I am wearing my traditional kilt its actually easier to just be the passenger if that is an option (since the pleats get closed in US vehicles on the passenger side, vice the drivers side where sliding in opens them up.)

If I am wearing a sporran and I am a passenger I dont have to worry about it interfering with the wheel either.

[morrison]

How do you guys keep from wrinkling the pleats while sitting in a vehicle? I have a truck, so I can't really just drop into the seat.

Typically, with one hand-the right-I deftly slide it down the backside and to the edge of the seat while flopping into the seat. Then I reach across to make sure the left side pleats are inside the threshold and not on the step plate so they won't get caught in the door, and from there I grab the seat belt, fasten it and close the door with left hand in usually an easy flow of motions.

[Pleater]

My DPM material kilt is very prone to creasing, so I wear a khaki and black scarf with it, and when getting into a car I hold the scarf to keep the pleats in place and to act as a skid, so I can sit and swivel.

other kilts which are less prone to creasing can be smoothed down as I sit - one foot in, smooth and lite down on one cheek, then bring in the other foot, smooth the other side and return to upright.

I wear a reverse Kinguisse style pleating which means I can do the same when traveling as a passenger or driving.

Some fabric is far more crease resistant than others. I have a poly cotton kilt which is made from a fabric intended for bed linen and it might get slightly rumpled if sat on on a hot day for an hour's drive, but it soon smooths out and looks none the worse.

I hope to do some reserch and find a material which is crease resistant for use making lightewight but smart kilts for sale one of these days. As it is at the moment I am having too much fun making them for myself.

I do feel that there is a real need for a non creasing, or at least crease resistant fabric for kilts so they stay smart when seated, but not because they are rigid denim type cloth.

[Hamish]

I have a padded 'turntable' cushion permanently on my car seat. It was designed for the elderly (which I am - sort of!) and the handicapped to make it easier for them to get into cars. I simply sweep as I drop back into the car seat then lift my feet and swing round into the driving position. The pleats stay perfectly in place as a rule but, if I fidget to get more comfortable, I may have to raise my bottom, leaning against the back of the seat, and give another quick sweep before settling down.

Aircraft passenger seats are far worse than car seats to get into whilst pleated - there is simply insufficient room for sweeping or any other form of pleat arranging. Answer: wear an unpleated kilt!!!!!