Which is best kilt for daily/driving wear

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I too have an 8yd tank in 16oz Locharron Strome and a Newsome 5yd box pleat also in 16oz Locharron Strome. The only difference in the fabric is the tartan pattern. Let me say that I love both kilts! I have been wearing the box pleat more lately, but I think that is mostly because it is new, so it is the first one I reach for.

I have noticed that the box pleat seems (from my experiences) to wrinkle more, or at least hold the wrinkles. In addition, due to the shallower pleats, the boxes seem to want to “curl”, and are begging to be pressed flat. I have not pressed either kilt as long as I have owned them.

Regarding comfort while sitting, I notice a difference feel, but I don’t find either one more comfortable that the other.

My suggestion is to buy one of each and test them out for yourself. That will make a couple kilt makers happy.

Thanks for the feedback. I do want to comment that as both of your kilts are made from the same weight fabric, from the same mill, one should "hold the wrinkles" just the same as the other. I wonder if you may simply be noticing it more on the box pleat because, as you say, the pleats are not as deep.

And, it could just be that as the box pleated kilt is new, you are not used it sitting in it, as you are the knife pleated kilt.

At the end of the day, no matter what the pleat style or the amount of material, I think the biggest factor as to whether and how much your kilt wrinkles is how you sit in it. If the pleats are smoothed out flat beneath you, it makes a world of difference!

[chrisupyonder]

Having recently seen a kilt made in the Caithness tartan, I am very impressed so I am going to have a word with our local kilt maker and see if they can make a 5 yard in 16oz knife pleat (they are currently making me a 8yd 16oz strome in MacLaren ancient)
I think a 5 yard-ish would be better for daily use (and cheaper on my pension). I will wait until I get my tank.
Thank you all and will post pics.

Chris.

[azwildcat96]

Thanks for the feedback. I do want to comment that as both of your kilts are made from the same weight fabric, from the same mill, one should "hold the wrinkles" just the same as the other. I wonder if you may simply be noticing it more on the box pleat because, as you say, the pleats are not as deep.

And, it could just be that as the box pleated kilt is new, you are not used it sitting in it, as you are the knife pleated kilt.

At the end of the day, no matter what the pleat style or the amount of material, I think the biggest factor as to whether and how much your kilt wrinkles is how you sit in it. If the pleats are smoothed out flat beneath you, it makes a world of difference!

Matt, don't get me wrong, I love your kilt! I would have another in a heartbeat, if surplus cash wasn't an issue.

I am very self-concious of wrinkling the pleats in both of my kilts, because I want them to always look perfect, the way they did the first time I wore them. I dread sitting in them, mostly because I fear having to attempt to press the pleats myself, and don't trust anyone else to do it. Unfortunately sitting in the car to get to and from events is inevitable, and most restaurants serve their meals while the diners are seated.

Oh well, there are worse things to worry about, I guess.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Matt, don't get me wrong, I love your kilt! I would have another in a heartbeat, if surplus cash wasn't an issue.

I am very self-concious of wrinkling the pleats in both of my kilts, because I want them to always look perfect, the way they did the first time I wore them. I dread sitting in them, mostly because I fear having to attempt to press the pleats myself, and don't trust anyone else to do it. Unfortunately sitting in the car to get to and from events is inevitable, and most restaurants serve their meals while the diners are seated.

Oh well, there are worse things to worry about, I guess.

Don't be afraid to do a bit of touching up with the iron to keep the pleats neat. By smoothing the pleats out beneath you, doing a sweep from your buttocks down your legs, you can keep wrinkling to a minimum.

But inevitably you will want to neaten up the pleats. A few minutes with a hot iron, high steam, will do wonders. Just go by the crease lines already in the pleats and press any wrinkles right out. Don't be afraid to try!