Quote Originally Posted by Jimmy Carbomb
Quote Originally Posted by Hamish
I must to say that I have yet to see a kilt where this is not done. :o
Ham... it's pretty common on casuals in the States. I'm guessing that the makers find it more "flexible" in the hang, if there's nothing to bind-up in the hips. Simply taper at the waistband, then let the pleats "do their thing".

I know in designing the USAK Philabegs, that the sewing-down of the hips not only kept the thing looking a little more "authentic" but it tended to make the pleats "keep their place" and not curl out.

Hopefully, those that make the kilts without the sewn-down hips will educate the group?!

That includes the kilt companies that haven't posted as of yet but are browsing.
"Wink, wink, nudge, nudge"
All of my kilt cuts, (classic cut, grizzly cut, raven cut), have not had their pleats sewn down and all the tapering was in the 3" - 4" waistband. Now with my formal cut, I'm starting to make kilts with sewn down pleats and a minimal waistband.
The unstitched cuts are definately more comfortable for active wear. For formal wear, a jacket can't foul pleats that are stitched.