Review of Matt Newsome 4-yard Box Pleat

[andyfg]

I have already posted pics of my new kilt, but I wanted to do a more formal review for folk who might be thinking about appraaching Matt Newsome. The project was to have a registered tartan in the name of Fitzgibbon and a 4-yard box pleated kilt. There is good reason for seeing this type of kilt as traditional (pre-8-yard knife pleats). I don't think it will replace the latter, but is a great kilt nonetheless for formal and informal wear. It's not less of a kilt. If you check out Matt's web site you can see the process. To be honest it is not cheap. I was fortunate in that MacSimoin had desigend a tartan and had the material already made by Dalgliesh, but not yet registered. So, for me that part was a bonus. I could not have wanted a better tartan for the family name.

General Fit

Of course, this in part depends on measuring yourself properly. With several other kilts I know my size (36/43/24 if anyone feels like sending me one for free!). Those were the measurements I sent to Matt and the kilt is perfect size. Fits me exactly as I would want.

Material

It is a 16 oz single width. The material is quote stiff (more so than my 13 oz kilts) which helps it hang well. The pleats are razor sharp. Being box-pleated it has a slightly different swing to knife pleats, but very pleasing.

Detail

Overall, the attention to detail is excellent.

The pleats are exactly aligned and the stitching is virtually invisible:



This shows the neatness of the buckle attachment



Detail of the lining. You will see that Matt follows the stripe perfectly. And this is on a part of the kilt nobody sees.



Another pic of detail work:



Kilt fastening

This is Matt's own design. There are only two buckles. The left is fastened inside the kilt. It means there is no hole for the kilt strap to pass through. This will be helpful if the kilt needs to be resized in the future. It works very well. There is really no need for the third (hip) strap. This is the internal strap.



Service

Matt Newsome is always very courteous and fast at answering e-mails. When I ordered the kilt sometime September, Matt said it would be ready for Christmas. It came first week in January. I didn't get to wear it for Christmas dinner or New Year's Eve. But kiltmaker's are busy people these days. If you are planning on a hand made kilt like this, reckon on waiting. Have patience. It is well worth it.

Overall

This seems to me to be just about as close to perfect as I could want in a kilt. Wearing it feels very "balanced." I would recommend anyone going this route. Of course, when you spend serious money, there is a tendency to justify your purchase (post-purchase cognitive dissonance, I think it is called). In this case, I cannot find anything wrong with either the process, interaction with the kiltmaker or the finished product. Thanks Matt! (And I'm not on commission! )

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Wow, Andy! Thanks for the great review. The check will be in the mail this week.... lol...

I have to say, I'm a bit embarassed. I honestly didn't remember you requesting the kilt by Christmas. This was my own mistake as I must have neglected to write it down on your measure sheet. If I have a written "need by" date, I always do what I can to meet it (so long as it is within reason, of course!). So please accept my apologies for dropping the ball on that one.

I'm very glad, however, that you are so pleased with your kilt.

I do have to make one correction -- the interior strap & buckle closure is not my own design. It was shown to me by Bob Martin, who himself saw it on a Civil War era kilt from the 79th New York Cameron Highlanders in a museum in Gettysburg. So I cannot take credit for it!

But I really like it because, as you suggest, it makes any future alterations that may be needed that much easier.

Wear it in good health!
Aye,
Matt

[Panache]

Excellent review! I have a 5 yard 16 oz. knife pleat kilt from Matt and heartily agree with your comments on Matt's skill and attention to detail.

He makes a quality product and is a very nice fellow to boot.

You will be enjoying this kilt for years to come.

Cheers

[McMurdo]

Very good review, thanks for the close up shots, they really show the kind of workmanship you get from Matt.

I'm glad you are enjoying it, I'm sure you will wear it for years to come.
One of these days I'll have to place an order.

Congratulations again on a fine kilt.

[Tattoo Bradley]

It looks great Andy. Congrats!

[Oldhiker]

wow here only one day and I am learning a lot, thanks for the pics

[Warhoover]

Thanks for the review Andy! Posts like this are worth a great deal.
Definately some A+++ work there Matt. Can tell you do take a great deal of pride in your work and justifiabley so.

[starbkjrus]

I have to weigh in on this one. I have a four yard box pleat (more WILL be ordered) and a five yard (XMarks tartan) knife pleat from Matt. The workmanship he offers is EXCELLENT and the experience is really good.

There are many other kilt makers on this board - some I have dealt with and some I have not - ALL have been good experiences (Ok, save one) but I do have to say that if you order from Matt you are going to get a good first class product.

Congratulations on your kilt!

[Robin]

Great review!

...and my wish list keeps growing

[Abax]

You guys are killing me. I have a box-pleat on order from Matt that will probably be done soon . . . just about the same time my wife and I fly to Australia for two weeks vacation!

At least I should have a nice consolation to my vacation being over when I get back (19,654 statute miles later). I can't recall looking forward to the *end* of my vacation before!

The review and pictures are appreciated. It gives me a good feeling about what's in store.

Abax