Knife pleated V Box pleated

[Norbo]

whets the main difference . I've looked at both and cant really see a big difference can some one please enlighten me. if the Box a little wider pleats ?

[McMurdo]

They are two completely different pleating styles. You can choose whichever you prefer. I would say most people are more used to seeing the knife pleat as the box pleat is an older style. One other thing about box pleats is you can normally get a box pleated kilt in 4 yards whereas the smallest yardage knife pleated kilt I've ever seen is a 5 yard.

[Steve Ashton]

Here is actual fabric folded in the same was as McMurdo's illustration.

Here are knife pleats pleated to The Sett.



And knife pleats pleated to the White Stripe.




And here are box pleats pleated to the Yellow Stripe.

[KSmedic]

Is there a difference in when the various types of pleating would be used? I'm mainly wondering if one type is considered more formal than another, or if it's really just a matter of whatever the wearer prefers and/or the whim of the kiltmaker.

[Father Bill]

The box pleats were more common until around the mid 19th century. Knife pleats are now the norm, but there seems to be a small revival of box pleats. I love mine; they're cooler, lighter, and cheaper!

[KSmedic]

Gotcha. That makes sense. I could see from Steve's pictures that the box pleated fabric wound up making a thinner kilt, but I didn't know if they were considered old-fashioned, or formal, or what. I can also see that the tartan pattern could wind up as a factor in which pleating style winds up looking the best.

[Father Bill]

Actually, a good kiltmaker can usually take most tartans and pleat either to the sett or the stripe with a box or knife pleat. Frankly, my box is to the stripe and I love it dearly that way. My two knife-pleats are to the sett and again, I love them!

[TheOfficialBren]

Father Bill, how would you describe the swish of a box pleat? I've always worn knife-pleats.

[Norbo]

Very interesting Thanks Steve for the pics they show the differences very well . .

[Father Bill]

Father Bill, how would you describe the swish of a box pleat? I've always worn knife-pleats.

Well, I've never walked behind myself to watch it move and you don't see a lot of them around to notice, but they feel very much in motion. Having said that, there's a lot less cloth so it simply can't be quite as active. That's got to be compensated some by staying away from lighter weight cloths.