Box or Knife Pleats?

**chasem** · 2nd February 10, 08:26 AM

Tobus- typically box pleat kilts do not overlap. Standard box pleats make for a roughly 4-yard kilt, and double-box pleats make for a roughly 6-yard kilt. The goal in a box pleated kilt isn't to add more material, really (not that that's the goal in a knife pleated kilt, but you catch my drift).

With a knife pleat, you're right, overlapping more will add more material, thou you're mostly left to the tartan itself to determine the overlap/pleat depth.

Now, in the other type of box pleat - a military box pleat - you do get overlap and use roughly the same as a knife pleat, since this style is basically a knife pleat turned back.

You're pretty spot on with your thoughts on drape/fan. More material will give more swish.

**fluter** · 2nd February 10, 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by chasem

Now, in the other type of box pleat - a military box pleat - you do get overlap and use roughly the same as a knife pleat, since this style is basically a knife pleat turned back.
.

Note that when OC Richard refers to military kilts' being "boxpleated" this is what he means. It is a different creature than the garden variety box pleat of our X-kilts. Frequently we say "military box-pleat" to avoid confusion.

**Lokishadow** · 2nd February 10, 12:04 PM

That's a lot of info, and I had no idea this would get so big so fast. Answer me this, please:

What is a double box pleat? Does anyone have a picture or diagram?

And, what is this military box pleat? I'm not getting a good picture from the descriptions.

Off to Google I go!

Oh, and I'm getting very tempted by that USA Kilts ad up there. Does anybody have any feedback on their casual line? I don't have the cash for a wool kilt yet. Being a laid off single dad will do that to ya.

Thanks!
-Loki

P.S. I posted a pic of me in my kilt, and I'm working on my third kilt. How do I post a picture in the forums? I plan to post in the DIY forum and the intro forums.

**chasem** · 2nd February 10, 12:08 PM

Originally Posted by fluter

Note that when OC Richard refers to military kilts' being "boxpleated" this is what he means. It is a different creature than the garden variety box pleat of our X-kilts. Frequently we say "military box-pleat" to avoid confusion.

Absolutely, I was trying to explain the difference for Tobus' sake. Probably wasn't clear enough.

**Tobus** · 2nd February 10, 12:16 PM

Oh, and I'm getting very tempted by that USA Kilts ad up there. Does anybody have any feedback on their casual line? I don't have the cash for a wool kilt yet. Being a laid off single dad will do that to ya.

I have one of Rocky's casual kilts. I love it. Very nice kilt for the price, and his service was above my expectations.

What is a double box pleat? Does anyone have a picture or diagram?

And, what is this military box pleat? I'm not getting a good picture from the descriptions.

Lady Chrystel has an excellent explanation:
http://pagesperso-orange.fr/lady.chrystel/kilts.html

**St. Amish** · 2nd February 10, 12:46 PM

Here's a description of the double box pleat in another thread.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/t...x.html?t=51420

**Tartan Hiker** · 2nd February 10, 02:43 PM

Originally Posted by Lokishadow

P.S. I posted a pic of me in my kilt, and I'm working on my third kilt. How do I post a picture in the forums? I plan to post in the DIY forum and the intro forums.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/p...096/index.html

**tooltruckguy** · 4th February 10, 02:45 PM

I have both knife pleat and box pleat kilts. I find the box pleat kilts to be a little more evenly balanced when wearing them as the amount of material is more evenly distributed.

Hope this helps.

**KiltShot** · 4th February 10, 05:22 PM

Originally Posted by Lokishadow

Oh, and I'm getting very tempted by that USA Kilts ad up there. Does anybody have any feedback on their casual line? I don't have the cash for a wool kilt yet.

I spent months selecting the features of my first kilt and who I would buy it from. I considered the tartan, the pleating, the material, the price, the availability of pockets and the comments of others on this forum about the kilt makers they had done business with. I decided on the USAK casual in American Heritage. I was not disappointed in the least.

I have a question about pleats for the rabble:
Given the same material, how would you rate the warmth of the various pleating styles?
1) knife pleat
2) box pleat
3) double box pleat
4) military box-pleat
5) Kingussie pleat

Any thoughts?

**Tartan Hiker** · 5th February 10, 08:35 AM

Originally Posted by KiltShot

I have a question about pleats for the rabble:
Given the same material, how would you rate the warmth of the various pleating styles?
1) knife pleat
2) box pleat
3) double box pleat
4) military box-pleat
5) Kingussie pleat

Any thoughts?

Well, here's a start on answering your question.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/e...hlight=yardage

I would speculate that there wouldn't be much difference between 1, 3, and 4 assuming yardage and fabric weight were roughly equivalent. The wild card would be the Kingussie. I'd like to test one of those someday!