The lonely but mighty box-pleat

[lukeyrobertson]

It was a beautiful summer day at the Foothills Highland games, Okotoks, Alberta(no camera...forgot) but you guys have seen lots of photos of pipers, dancers and pipebands. I know there's lots of imagination out there that can more than compensate for my forgetfulness. Next year... I say. Next year, I bring the camera!

Now to the subject at hand. Most, if not all of the kilted were members of the competing pipebands with all manner of knife pleats, some PV, some 13oz, some too long, some 16oz... you know.

I was surprised by how few men other than band members were in kilts. I counted maybe.... 6 including me. I was the only lad in a box-pleat. Now I would like all of you to know that I suffered the solace of the box-pleat really well. I was comfortable, dressed with Xmarks summer wisdom in play, and when appropriate drew some conversation about the box-pleat and its historical roots. It drew some quizical looks. And I'm sure that in a veritable sea of pipeband kilts, it looked a little odd. But hey, I was pleated to the stripe! And that helped me feel like a I "belonged".

Yes, I have an 8 yarder. And its good. However, the lonely but mighty box-pleat made the day just that little bit more special. Wishing all my fellow-Xmarkers a wonderful end of August.

[Chirs]

All hail the mighty box-pleat, standing proudly against the tyranny of knife-pleats everywhere!!

Okay, that's all well and good however...who made it? what is the tartan? Details! It's bad enough that you have neglected the pictures. tsk

No mercy for you.

[lukeyrobertson]

Ok, Ok... I know, I know. Here's a couple of images with the box-pleat by Matt Newsome. It's 16oz DC Dalgliesh custom weave in Wilson's colours Robertson Tartan. I just threw some things on in a hurry. It's my go-to kilt right now! The dandelion in the pocket (no cap) just goes to show my XMTS solidarity!



And the pleats!



Ta Da!

[xman]

Shoes need a buffing up. Nice overall turnout, Lukey. It's beautiful weave from where I'm sitting. You must be proud.

[Chirs]

Very nice (but it's a Newsome so of course it's nice; what did we expect?!)

I lived in Calgary for ten years and never got to the Okotoks games. Just one more reason to miss the area.

[Kiltboy]

I think you look wonderful.

I have a few box pleats, and yes, we are usually one of a kind, even at a highland games.

[lukeyrobertson]

I'm like NOT one to post a lot of photos, but after I posted the ones above I remembered a shot that my wife took after we came home from an evening wedding reception. Here's the mighty box-pleat with a different get up. Even the shoes look good in the shade! Yup, it's a Winnie the Pooh tie.

[Ancienne Alliance]

Looking great !


Best,

Robert

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Whenever I wear one of my four yard box pleated kilts out to a Highland Games (or any other Scottish function, for that matter), I have to say that I rarely get a comment. I find that most people, even those men in kilts themselves, either don't notice the difference, or don't care to comment if they do.

The ones who do comment generally fall into one of two categories.
1) They are observant and notice that my pleats "don't look like everyone else's" and want to ask me about the difference.
2) They have done some research into the history of the kilt and recognize the style, and just want to compliment my kilt.

Either way I'm happy to have a conversation about it. (What, Matt likes to talk about kilts? You're kidding!) :-)

[MacMillans son]

Looking good LR!

In addition to your overall appearance, I specifically like the shade of your kilt hose. They appear greyer than my ancient blues, yet bluer than my medium greys. May I ask what color they are known as, and where you purchased them?

Regards,
Brooke