Fringe or no fringe

[Domehead]

Just curious, and in know way judgemental...are you all saying all your kilts contain fringed edges?

[Grizzly]

Just curious, and in know way judgemental...are you all saying all your kilts contain fringed edges?

Mine does and so will my next kilt, but thats not to say that not having one is wrong. Its just a matter of personal taste.

[Domehead]

Yes, Yes. Again, not passing any judgement. When I was deciding on my first kilt, I began drinking up much of Matthew A.C. Newsome's research on the historic edifices for the box-pleated kilts. When I found the images of the earliest examples, I never gave it another thought. Over the years, I've come to realize that the "norm" is an 8yd knife-pleat, most likely with a fringed edge...fair to say? I guess I did'nae realize the 4yd box-pleat is still (relative, again) a tad avante gaurd, even among kilties. Now, I've developed an internal image: me in highland dress (whether realistic or not) and I can't see myself wearing anything else - which may or may not be a good thing.

[MacSpadger]

From my own experience I've always associated Fringe = civilian, No fringe = military

I exclude the London Scottish here, who wear a blue fringe down the Hodden Grey.

[Domehead]

MacSpadger & Tobus,
I have a follow-up question re: the likely origins (not practicalities of) civilian: fringe / military: no fringe. But, I do not want to offend the OP with a hijacking, or the MODS for that matter. Any advice?

[Tobus]

I wouldn't know beans about the origin of fringe. That's a question for Matt et al. As for hijacking, you could always just start a new thread to talk about the various fringe issues you're thinking of.

[Melfice]

various fringe issues

I am not sure whether to laugh or cry. That was a horrible pun.
Well done!

[sailortats]

I prefer the look of a fringe on the apron. To me it adds a "finishing" touch. However, that being said, I have one casual kilt with no fringe on the edge of the apron but a very small fringe along the bottom of the kilt. I understand that some mills, at least used to, finish their material that way.

[Tobus]

Just curious, and in know way judgemental...are you all saying all your kilts contain fringed edges?

The only kilts I've ever owned that didn't have a fringed apron are my military kilt (these are not made with fringed edges) and a PV casual kilt. All my traditional kilts, plus my box-pleated kilt, and even my cheapie acrylic kilt are all made with a fringed apron. It's by far the norm to see fringe on a civilian wool kilt.

[Dale Seago]

Just curious, and in know way judgemental...are you all saying all your kilts contain fringed edges?

I have nine made-to-measure wool kilts: Four by USA Kilts (fringed) and five by Matt Newsome (unfringed). I can't really say I have a preference or feel that either looks wrong, and I happily swish both ways.





(Edited to add postscript: I should also mention that at no time when I've worn any of the Newsome kilts has any observer ever seemed to notice that there was no fringe.)