I think i'm turning into a kilt snob...

**Woodsheal** · 19th February 08, 05:06 PM

Depiction of belted plaid from the 1742 "Cloathing Book" of the British Army:

Philabeg ca. 1750:

Philabeg ca. 1775:

In all cases note that the pleats are obviously in the front part of the kilt! In the last example, rather crisp box pleats....

**Woodsheal** · 19th February 08, 05:26 PM

Finally, one of the clearest examples of all-round pleating - Lord George Murray painted around the time of the `45 Rebellion:

**BoldHighlander** · 19th February 08, 05:44 PM

Originally Posted by Woodsheal

Finally, one of the clearest examples of all-round pleating - Lord George Murray painted around the time of the `45 Rebellion:

Brian, in looking at many period examples of belted plaids (such as you've provided, etc), I think it's the nature of the beast (so to speak) that they end up pleated all the way around.

I wonder when tailored kilts took on the apron in front?
Late 18th century? Certainly by the Victorian era they were the norm.

**Woodsheal** · 19th February 08, 05:56 PM

Originally Posted by BoldHighlander

Brian, in looking at many period examples of belted plaids (such as you've provided, etc), I think it's the nature of the beast (so to speak) that they end up pleated all the way around.

I wonder when tailored kilts took on the apron in front?
Late 18th century? Certainly by the Victorian era they were the norm.

By the 1780's-90's the flat aprons were evident in portraiture and surviving kilts. If the earlier plaids and philabegs were utilizing drawstrings, as many now postulate, the all-round pleating makes sense, as you say, as one would be scrunching 3-4 yards of fabric along the cord around your waist....

**Rogerson785** · 19th February 08, 06:51 PM

This is what makes belonging to this forum so great, the effort that we all put into either being historically correct, or wearing the modern day kilt properly and looking good for the public. I am honored when a young woman I know says, that's hot in reference to my kilt. What I would never want to hear is a tailor state that those basting stitches should be removed b4 wearing your kilt, now, that would be embarrassing to me.

I wear the kilt to celebrate the Scottish spirit, honor my past ancestors, and it’s a great change from tight jeans.