Considering a Feilidh-beag

[Planopiper]

"Our more economical kilt is made from non-family tartan wool blends or less expensive wool. The style and construction are much the same except that they are "self-lined"."
Ha ha. I love that phrase. In other word "not lined".

"But would a tartan that was created in "authentic colours", yet not containing a sett that has been proven to have existed at that time not be a "viable" scheme?"
No. It's the wrong word. It's like saying "My dog is very algebraic." A better phrase would be "made up, but not historically impossible."

Viable:
Regarding living things - Capable of living
Regarding a plan or system - Capable of success or continuing effectiveness
There is no application of the word for a thing or pattern.

[Andrew Green]

But capable of living could more or less equate to "capable of existing" depending on who you talk to, and how they intepret it; and dictionary.com straight up lists "possible" as a synonym...which would equate to the words being roughly interchangable in common speech. But we really shouldn't banter over whether or not the use of the word is correct or not... we aren't here to debate the vernacular... we're here to chat about kilts, no?

[AllenJ]

Is it just me or do the pleats on this box pleat look way too wide?
http://www.kilts-n-stuff.com/Kilts/phillabegs.html

[Andrew Green]

They do look a bit wide... but it might have to do with the tartan that was chosen for the garment. I am leaning towards getting it unpleated...so that would entail pleating it each time before wearing it. Not as pretty perhaps, but likely to be the more historical method of donning the little kilt. I was thinking of permanent box pleats initially...just cause I like the look of hte pleating...but from further research, the feilidh beag was worn in a similar fashion to the belted plaid...which would = no permanent pleats.

[Woodsheal]

Is it just me or do the pleats on this box pleat look way too wide?
http://www.kilts-n-stuff.com/Kilts/phillabegs.html

Not really. Consider the wide pleats on this period image of belted plaids:



...And this philabeg from the 1770's. Note that the wide boxpleats are the full circumference of the kilt, not just the rear:

[Cinnabar]

I don't have any historical info but I just wanted to say I've ordered several items from CC (not kilts) and always had good customer service from them. I hope that helps your decision.

[Andrew Green]

Well, I sort of have made up my mind to give them a try... I am just trying to figure out how they measure the 'beag. Whether it is from the naval to the knee (and the belt overhand would be calculated by them), or the navel to the knee + some overlap (which would be calculated by you). Lorie said "Pantswaist" but that is a bit different for everyone it seems. I wear my pants very differently than I wear kilts (pants around the hips, kilts up on the natural waist, where your pants are supposed to go), so I have some clarifying of measurment methods to still do.

[Cinnabar]

Good luck with the kilt. I've always seen them in their catalog and wondered. I look forward to seeing how your's looks but I'm sure it will look great.