Responses to Box Pleats

[Jim H.]

I'm in the process of making my first kilt and I've been debating whether or not to make it a box pleated one. I'm in a conservative area and I'm not too sure how everyone will react to the whole "hey that guy's in a kilt" concept. I'm doubly unsure about making a box pleat. Personally I recognize it as a kilt and I think it looks cool, but can it be interpreted as a skirt? What responses have you guys gotten from wearing a box pleat as opposed to a knife pleat? Prior to coming to XMarks I didn't have the slightest clue that a box pleated kilt existed. How does a box pleated kilt swing when compared to a knife pleated kilt?

Thanks,
James

[Tattoo Bradley]

As far as I can tell, nobody around here notices a difference between my box pleat kilt and my knife pleated ones.

[Kiltman]

As far as I can tell the majority of folks don't even notice the difference. To me the box-pleated kilt is a much cleaner look kilt and takes less wool.

[Abax]

I don't think anybody who is unfamiliar with kilts will even notice the difference between box pleats and knife pleats. They'll see the tartan and your kilt hose and your sporran and never get beyond that.

I've been wearing a box pleated kilt for about 4 months, and lots of people have commented on my "kilt." Nobody except one or two smart alecks have called it a skirt - and they knew better.

Abax

[Fedgunner]

I wear both out and about. The uniniated do not see the difference. In my mind the box pleat has a more "Roman" feel. I like the feel and look of knife pleats better.

You need to remember. You have made the decision to wear a kilt. Anyone's opinion after this point is either garbage to be cast out, or Ego re-inforcement, to be cast out.

You wear a kilt for you.

[GMan]

Sort of reminds me of the commercial many years ago, only her hairdresser knows for sure. In Kilt talk that would be only a Kilt wearer would know for sure.

[David Dalglish]

I prefer knife pleats, but I am very much a traditionalist, when it comes to my kilts

[Raptor]

While I personally prefer knife pleats, I believe the WW2 Cameron regimental kilt was box pleated, so there is a precedent.

[Mumbles]

I prefer the knife pleats as well.. but as far as people noticing, like the other members, I don't think anyone will notice. In fact, until I started actually WEARING them, I didn't notice the difference.

[Fearnest]

I haven't had any comments at all about the "box vs. knife" issue (nor the "plastic vs. paper" issue). OK, had to toss that last part in there.

There is certainly less fabric in the box pleated than in the knife pleated - which is both a positive and a negative. Less expensive? Box pleated. Less weight to wear around? Box pleated. Perceived as more "traditional" (though Matt will undoubtedly weigh in on that)? Knife pleated. More "swish, sway, and play" of the pleats? Knife pleated. A "cleaner" (less "busy") look from the rear? Box pleated.

Tis a struggle to figure it out!


So it all depends on what you're hoping for out of this kilt... hope this ramble helps a bit.

No matter what you decide to sew, enjoy it and wear it well!

(Oh, and thanks for not asking the "sett" or "stripe" question.)