The lonely but mighty box-pleat

[seanachie]

Whenever I wear one of my four yard box pleated kilts out to a Highland Games (or any other Scottish function, for that matter), I have to say that I rarely get a comment. I find that most people, even those men in kilts themselves, either don't notice the difference, or don't care to comment if they do.

The ones who do comment generally fall into one of two categories.
1) They are observant and notice that my pleats "don't look like everyone else's" and want to ask me about the difference.
2) They have done some research into the history of the kilt and recognize the style, and just want to compliment my kilt.

Either way I'm happy to have a conversation about it. (What, Matt likes to talk about kilts? You're kidding!) :-)

I strongly agree with these comments. I have a solid green knife pleat from Stillwater, but the remaining wool kilts I own are all box pleated. I have worn them to a number of events and never once has anyone had any difficult identifying it as a kilt not has anyone commented about it being box rather than knife pleated. It seems the only place this becomes a point of discussion is in this and other kilt forums. What I find even odder is that box pleats are very much a part of the history of the kilt, and have strong historical footing yet raise so many negative comments. For these reasons I would think they would be embraced rather than derided. No matter, I love my box pleats.

[Phil]

Looks great from the front, good length and hangs well. Not so sure about the pleats but can see the cost benefit from the material saved.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Looks great from the front, good length and hangs well. Not so sure about the pleats but can see the cost benefit from the material saved.

What's not to be sure about the pleats? It's a traditional pleating style (box pleated), done to stripe, as it also traditional. They are the correct size and number given the amount of cloth, the size of the sett, and the wearer's measurements.

You might not personally care for the look of box pleats, but no one can make the argument that they are incorrect or untraditional.

[TheBrus]

Well, I, for one, have been won over not only by MAC Newsome's explanation/description of the box pleat kilt and its history, but also by all of the beautiful photos of proud XMarkers in box pleated kilts. Even if my efforts to learn to make kilts are not successful, I will be purchasing one of these someday soon. Thank you for sharing your photos.

[Jock Scot]

What's not to be sure about the pleats? It's a traditional pleating style (box pleated), done to stripe, as it also traditional. They are the correct size and number given the amount of cloth, the size of the sett, and the wearer's measurements.

You might not personally care for the look of box pleats, but no one can make the argument that they are incorrect or untraditional.

Historically correct no doubt, but like Phil, I can't say that box pleats, or pleats to the stripe enthuse me much. Still, each to their own.

[zirrow]

looks great - I've found that I tend to like pleating to the strip more & more and I've got a box pleat on my short list. I also really like the belt in the first two pics; the stitching breaks up the width of the belt without making it stand out - nice & simple

[Cowher]

I LOVE box pleats and I think you look great.

[Fitzy]

Having recently received two box pleats, one from Matt - a kilt-skirt for my Girlfriend, and one from John Hart (Keltoi) - a four yard for me, she and I both like them for several reasons.

First off is the traditional aspect, which ties in with our both researching our Scottish roots.

Second, for me is that I like how the box pleat shadow lines are the same no matter which side viewed from, of where the light is coming from.

Third, they are less expensive to make, yet give up nothing in quality.

Forth, they are lighter. Yet they still retain all the pluses of being made out of 16 ounce wool. This makes them not only less heavy, but much more comfortable in warm weather. I have a five yard 16 ounce wool knife pleated, and it is noticably warmer than my 4 yard box pleat.

I was skeptical about wearing any weight wool in hot weather, but after e-mail exchanges with Matt, I was convinced otherwise. Now, the Girlfriend and I have had the chance to wear 4 yard, 16 ounce, box pleated kilts in hot weather, and we were pleasantly surprised at how comfortable they are.

Paul

[NeightRG]

Not so sure about the pleats but can see the cost benefit from the material saved.

I really hope you're not suggesting that economy is the reason that somebody would get a four yard box-pleat?

I bought twelve yards of double-width Gordon Dress, and before it arrived, I knew that the first thing I wanted to make out of it was a four yard box-pleat. The eight yarder I'll eventually make from that fabric is a very low priority for me - not because of fabric cost, of the time it takes to make them, or anything of the sort. Instead, it's because a box pleat has more of the comfort of casual, everyday clothing, and feels less like a pretentious military costume.

[lukeyrobertson]

Thank you everyone for your kind words and appreciation. For me, the decision to go with a box-pleat was about capturing the essence of its historicity--that there is a kilt that predates the knife pleat and this is what it looks like. Plus, I like to talk about kilts and a box-pleat is a neat way to get a conversation with a little history attached to it.

MacMillan, the hose are from Steve at Freedom Kilts. They are Gaelic Themes, I believe in "Lovat Blue". I find the shading somewhat fascinating because even close up, it's hard to tell what colour they are. Anyway, they seem to work with Red and the Hunting tartan I have.

And so the ode to the box-pleat continues...