To Box, or not to Box - that is the question...

[Steve Ashton]

In all fairness to Howie Nicklesby the owner of 21st Century Kilts.

I see your point, re: some purveyors. However, in fairness to Geoffrey's they do a very modern and up to date line of 21st Century Kilts which includes all kind of Utilikilts and "other" alternative fabrics. They simply balked on Box pleating as a matter of principle which, I did find rather curious.

Is not totally correct. Yes Howie is the son of Geoffrey (Tailor), but the two are totally separate and distinct companies.

Howie also does not make Utilikilts or any type of modern or alternative kilts. He makes full, traditional style kilts from alternative fabrics.

[Carlo]

In all fairness to Howie Nicklesby the owner of 21st Century Kilts.

Is not totally correct. Yes Howie is the son of Geoffrey (Tailor), but the two are totally separate and distinct companies.

Howie also does not make Utilikilts or any type of modern or alternative kilts. He makes full, traditional style kilts from alternative fabrics.

I thought that Howie only makes

HIPSTER FIT — No traditional rise, the Kilt will sit at the top of the hip bone for formal and can be loosened for a more modern look. Unless otherwise stated, Kilts are machine stitched, with a traditional hand finish.

Still strange that neither of them would make a box pleat kilt.

[Truitt]

I've got a 'classic' 8yd knife pleat as well as a 5yd box pleat, both in ~16oz fabric.

The box pleat is a joy to wear if you'll be sitting or driving or even standing still for long periods. The huge wadge of fabric in the back ISN'T there, so you're not sitting on it. The weight is more evenly distributed.

That said, nothing beats the swish of an 8yd kilt.

If you've already got a good 8yder (and we know you do ) a different option might be nice.

ith:

on all the above. I also have both and think both are fantastic.

My box pleat kilt is one of Matt Newsome's 6-yard kilts. It doesn't have a much swish to it as does my 8-yard kilt, but it has enough. And it is a lot more comfortable for driving.

[Truitt]

That should say "+ 1 on all the above." For some reason it would not post.

[seanachie]

I do not own an eight yard knife pleat. I have 2 smaller yard tweed kilts that are knife pleated. I also own both box and kingussie pleated kilts from John Hart of Keltoi (a forum sponsor). So I can not offer a comparison with an 8 yarder, but I love my box pleated kilts.
I think Matt is correct as they do swish, just not the same as higher yardage kilts. They are quite comfortable and I have not found them higher maintenance. Another benefit, and for my first box pleat it was a big deal, is the cost savings over an 8 yarder.

I do not understand the idea of being proud of one's heritage but not of one's history when it comes to box pleats

[Walter82]

This thread may help with the ultimate decision:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...52/index2.html

In that thread one of the finer sex noted:

"As a woman, I can say I love to watch a man in a kilt walking, the swish of the pleats is mesmerizing! A man in a kilt just looks like a MAN!!! "

There is no doubt the swish is a very big factor in the kilt being sexy and the greater the swish......

[Paul Henry]

I thought that Howie only makes


Still strange that neither of them would make a box pleat kilt.

You are correct Carlo, Howie's kilts are not "traditional" in the sense that they hang from the hips, and without a high rise. Box pleated kilts with the exception of a military box pleat are almost unknown in the UK, they are not a standard style of kilt, that being the knife pleated one

[kiltedwolfman]

I have fallen in love with box pleated kilts and now own four of them. I find they present themselves every bit as elegantly as my knife pleats and have the added bonus of being a bit more manageable when getting into my vehicle ( less to square away under me ) and a bit lighter for wear on very warm days. I've had nothing but compliments by anyone that has seen them and I intend to add a few more to the collection fairly soon.

[Spartan Tartan]

A lot of much smarter answers have already been provided. i can not speak to construction in the least, but did somewhat recently get a 4-yd box pleasted kilt. For a long time, i was a knife pleat only kind of guy. Do to a lack of material (and not wanting to pay even more for another custom weave), I had to consider lower yardage options. In the end I got a 4 yd BP.

It certainly has a different swing and feel to it, but absolutely love wearijg my low yardage BP.

Just my thoughts... But hindsight is 20-20 and I am happy things worked out to end up with my BP.

[KiltFitz]

When I first saw box-pleat kilts, I was quite intrigued and I confess that I do like the way they look. I am considering box-pleat for my next kilt but I was going to opt for military box pleat as opposed to anything lower yardage becuase I am unsure how well it will look on a man of my size.

The biggest consideration for me in kilt construction is to ensure that I am able to pick up any loose change I might drop without being arrested for indecency. To that end (excuse the pun), my current tank is 11 and a half yards pleated to the stripe.

So my question is, how do smaller yardage box pleated kilts look on big (or in my case - fat) men. Is there a modesty issue to consider here?