Pleats tied to formality?

[artificer]

As Jock Scot mentioned earlier- we're definitely in danger of over-thinking things here.

Of course there are multiple situations where sett size, the size of the wearer, etc will help dictate size and number of pleats.

My PRIMARY observation was that **the following for sake of clarity** for adults of average size, and assuming that the sett isn't freakishly large or small there is a world of difference between a handmade 'tank' (which tend to have somewhere between 20-30 pleats depending on the sett and wearer) and a low-yardage, lightweight, casually built kilt which might only have 10-12. I also mentioned that this difference would only be obvious to others who have some knowledge of kilts- In a room full of people with no kilt knowledge or experience a kilt is a kilt is a kilt.

- a really well-made traditional kilt will go ANYWHERE. YMMV with less traditionally made kilts.

So my low-riding, "casually cut" Aberdeen District, with it's freakishly large 23" sett (but dozens of pleats) and pants-waist gap between kilt and waistcoat, would look good with a Prince Charlie? Not to belabor a point, but I just don't see it. ;) Interesting perspective, though! I appreciate the point of view!

I think we can consider the point well and truly belabored.
I'd argue that your kilt as you've outlined above (low riding, casually cut) isn't really TRADITIONAL in cut (even if it is handmade), so it wouldn't be quite what my point was, no?