Questions on the Newsome 4yrd Box Pleat or 8yrd Knife Pleat?

[Sir William]

Perhaps the best way to get past the concept of the box-pleated kilt slightly resembling a school-girl's skirt it to wear the box pleat more often so that it no longer appears to be an unusual style. If more box-pleated kilts are seen they will be considered to be just another style of kilt.

I'm not overly worried about the reactions of Scots, since I only go over every few years and, following Jock's advice I keep to just one clan kilt and it just happens to be knife-pleated. Besides, as Jock has frequently stated, the Scots are too polite to make an issue of it (as they secretly smile about seeing yet another Yank tourist wearing a kilt). And if they do ask, it provides an opportunity to discuss kilts and their various styles.

I find the reactions of my fellow kilt-wearers (ie, the self-appointed kilt and/or tartan police) at the local Scottish gatherings to be more negative and rude. When I wore my double box-pleat to a dinner recently, I was "questioned" by one gentlemen, who could not be persuaded that it was a historical style of pleating. After all, everyone knows (so he said) that real kilts are knife pleated, use exactly 8 yards of fabric, and are made in Scotland.

I've got three box pleats, with another on the way. I like them and since most people don't know anything about kilts, whether I wear a box-pleat or a knife-pleat isn't an issue.

[iustus]

Many Great thanks to everybody who contributed to this thread.
Here is what I’ve gleaned from this discussion on 4yrd Bx Plt and 8yrd Knf Plt kilts in comparision.

Some have said that the 4yrd more suited to Hot and humid weather though by no means restricted to that weather as the experiments of our own XMarks scientists have investigated.

The 4yrd is more balanced in weight and is lighter as a whole, even while the tartan is 16oz fabric. For some this has an advantage on long days, standing on your feet since some feel the volume of tartan on an 8yrd kilt’s rear pulls down on the backside of your hips, working your pelvis to rotate forward. Also the 4yrd has less of a “back brace” feel to it after a day of said standing and what not.

The lesser yardage also has an economic advantage since Tartan requires a considerable commitment of resources. With the lesser yardage a custom weave tartan comes into reach of more people, which I mark as an advantage.

The 4yrd Bx Plt is not the “standard” kilt of Highland (not previously in question though good to include in this collection) and is a revival of an old dropped but not broken tradition. This aspect makes the kilt less-common in the Highland diaspora and even-less-common in the Highlands, Lowlands and the UK in general.
The less-common appearance mixed with the knowledge of kilt evolution is an attraction for some.
The less-common appearance mixed with the similarities in the remembrances of Girls School Uniforms is a detraction for some. (On this note, I can remember in my younger years being very taken by our own Field Hockey team’s skirts, which were knife pleated and a tartan of sorts, but then that had more to do with MacLowlife’s sentiment and the Old Nannies; I was much more interested in the girls… but now I’m getting off topic)

I have noted in this discussion that there is “less of the swish & swing” compared to the higher yardage kilts. Some prefer it this way, others... well prefer it other-wise.

The 8yrd Knf Plt is preferred by some in the colder months (North America "Cold" not Scotland "Cold"). My guess is this preference is related to the “back brace” affect of the higher yardage.
The 8yrd has recognition as the “standard” kilt (and I don’t just mean standard issue but this is the kilt that other kilts will be compared to).

There is the Swish & Swing.

There are other preferences for the 8yrd Knf Plt kilt though since it is the "standard" you no doubt can find them outside this thread.

A surprise to me in this discussion was brought up by davidlpope; his "hands down favorite" is a 6yrd Knf Plt by Mr. Newsome’s hand.
Interesting: some of the benefits of a lower-yardage kilt (less weight, better balance, less resources required) in a Knf Plt kilt. This actually offers a 3rd option (the 3rd increase the ease of making choices in many marketing studies).

Thanks again to everyone who has contributed their experience to this thread.

Peace,
justin

A Mhuinntir ionmhainn, gràdhaicheamaid a chéile, oir is ann bho Dhia a tha gràdh.

[davidlpope]

Iustus,

What a great recap. I think you hit all the points.

Here's a previous thread on low-yardage knife-pleats:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...ge-tank-28591/

David