Kilted trip

[johnnym]

I recently returned from a rather lengthy auto trip. It was two full days of driving thru the midwest, a total of 1,800 miles. I decided to weat my kilt (McKenzie tartan) as I have heard (on the forum) that it is more comfortable. I have worn it while driving in the past, but never on a trip of this distance and duration. I must state that Yes, it is! I expected stares or comments at rest stops or refueling. I got neither. No one seemed to notice. Next trip, I'll definitely wear it again.

[Alan H]

If it works, wear it.....though I'd be inclined to wrinkle up a knockaround kilt rather than a beauty of an 8 yard wool kilt, but *hey*.

[Graham]

Travelling and kilts are like peaches and cream, well done, kilts are kinder to the 'tackle' sitting in cars. remember to slide into the seat and keep the pleats nice.

[turpin]

Travelling and kilts are like peaches and cream, well done, kilts are kinder to the 'tackle' sitting in cars. remember to slide into the seat and keep the pleats nice.

Maybe that works with a dexter-sided steering wheel , and you can slide in with the direction the pleats fold. With a sinster-sided wheel the pleats tend to roll over. This is the biggest negative about kilted driving, especially with fabric seats that grab the material. I have to raise up and settle the pleats. That being done, however, all is comfort.

[Kilted_John]

Leather interiors do help... Recently have been driving a car with velour interior. My wool kilts tend to get stuck with most of the pleats hanging to the left. I do find that I can make it work, though. Just have to get the rearend in the right rear corner of the seat, then spin around while your hands are underneath the pleats. If that's done, it works well.

-J

[keepoffgrass]

I tend to have a hard time getting up into my truck and sitting without smashing the pleats or wrinkling all up. I guess it'll take more practice. Im sure its easier climbing in and out of a midsized car though.

[chasem]

I recently finished my macfarlane box pleat... took it out for the first day... 35 minute drive, 50 minute class, 35 minute drive back home... and the pleats were horribly wrinkled. I gathered it was from the drives.

I wore the same kilt this past saturday to a musical in louisville after having spent the night in lexington. So, I wore the kilt on a 2-ish hr drive to louisville, around town for 1.5 hrs, sat through a 2.5 hour musical, then rode another 2 hours back to lexington, and another 2.5-3 hour drive home from there.

pleats were in great shape when I got home this time. I just had to be a little extra careful to make sure I always swept them well.

[TheSp8]

I've generally been using the UK for long distance. For the two hour drive to Heidelberg I wrapped a towel around my hips to hold the pleats in place with one hand at waist level and the other slightly below the bottom of the sporran. Pull the towl tight and sit in the car. Once in position I just push the towel to the side and fasten the seat belt. I think someone mentioned something similar before but it works.

YMOS,
Tony

[Hachiman]

I recently finished my macfarlane box pleat

Ohhh!! I'd be most interested in viewing the results of your labours. I believe that my paternal surname (Miller) is a sept of the MacFarlane clan. I'd love to see what that tartan looks like as a "finished" product.

Any chance of a pic?

cheers

Hachiman

[Blu (Ontario)]

If you get the pleats at the back properly flattened, it shouldn't be a problem. I drove 500 miles one day this summer in a 13oz traditional wool kilt with no significant wrinkles.

I 've never tried it but the kilt could be swung around backwards for the trip and then repositioned at the destination point.