New (to me) box-pleat kilt

[Mickey]

Cowher, it's weird... I've been told that many times before. That I look like someone famous, but like you, no one can ever pin it down to a name.

That was my initial thought too. It's right on the tip of my tongue. It'll come to me though.

I'm also not a big fan of the box pleat, but that looks really good on you. Very nice tartan too. I wish I could pull off that color green.

Very sharp look, and it does look quite comfortable.

[Tobus]

My son-in-law says I look like Ed Norton, but I can only see a vague similarity, and only at certain angles (which these pics don't show). *shrug*

[longhuntr74]

First...to Tobus...Pics look great! It's a very nice kilt and I'm sure you'll get alot of use out of it.

Looks great Tobus!

I have tended to prefer the look of knife pleated kilts, but the more I see nice looking box pleats the more interesting they look. I guess exposure to new things can do that to ya. But really, that's the last thing I need, another kilt related option to spend my money on!

Brooke...while I think I might have a slight (very slight) preference for the look of an 8 yard, knife pleated kilt, the kilt I wear most often is the 4 yard box pleat that you saw me wear at the Sacramento games. Why? It's just so practical! The reduced amount of fabric makes it lighter and easier to get in and out of cars, restaurant booths, etc. It's lighter weight and cooler. I do have the itch to make another kilt or two...so maybe, given my preference toward knife pleats, my next one will be a 5-6 yard "casual" knife pleated kilt...or should I be bold and attempt a Kingussie? Hmmm....choices are so hard!

Anyways....Tobus...I'm quite sure you'll find yourself reaching for the box pleat quite often as you discover it's practicality and comfort.

[Mike_Oettle]

Tobus, that’s a fine-looking kilt!
I looked the sett up on the SRT, and found a rather contradictory entry.
It clearly states (in the heading) that it is MacDonald, Lord of the Isles (not simply Lord of the Isles), but the text certainly indicates a royal connection:

HRH Prince Charles holds the title Lord of the Isles is often to be seen in this tartan when he visits Scotland. Commercially it will appear in darker colours of green than those worn by the Prince. This tartan was also worn by Edward VIII (Duke of Windsor) and his father.

Make of it what you will.
Regards,
Mike

[Kiltboy]

I think that's a great tartan. Yes, the 4yrd box is different than a 8yr knife, but you'll really appreciate it during the Texas Summer months. During the heat of the day, it's the only way to go.

[Eck]

Looks great on you, love the colour.

Yes indeed, it is a MacDonald tartan and is worn by The Right Honourable Godfrey James MacDonald of MacDonald, 8th Lord MacDonald and 34th High Chief of Clan Donald. He can be seen wearing it at the recent gathering of the clans in Edinburgh.

Armadale Castle on Skye where the tartan was discovered was a former home of The MacDonalds and today houses the Clan Donald Centre and Museum Of The Isles.

[cdarwin]

Very nice looking kilt. I have been strongly considering SHO for a box pleated kilt in the future.

[Highlander31]

That's a nice looking kilt. Should fit the bill with those Texas summers. I prefer a knife pleated tank, however, I must admit the box pleat does look nice.

We only have a few days when the temps are above 90* here. I'm thinking seriously of my next kilt being made of 18oz material to counteract the rain and cooler temps (as well as the heavy winds.) My 16oz tank has on more than one occasion lost the battle with the strong coastal winds here.

[CMcG]

Looking good Tobus. Nice kilt and I like the rest of the outfit too, especially the epaulettes on your shirt.

Now that you can do a comparison, do you prefer box pleats or knife pleats? Or is that somehow comparing apples to oranges?

[Tobus]

Looking good Tobus. Nice kilt and I like the rest of the outfit too, especially the epaulettes on your shirt.

Now that you can do a comparison, do you prefer box pleats or knife pleats? Or is that somehow comparing apples to oranges?

Well, I suppose my preference for either style would really depend on the situation. I still prefer the feel of 8 yards of wool if the temperature allows it. For some reason, putting on a lower-yardage kilt just isn't the same. I like the look of knife pleats better too.

I can really feel a lot more air moving down there in the box pleat, though. When I walk, my knife pleated tank just feels like it's swaying forward and backward. And even though there is a bit of 'swish' with a knife-pleated kilt, there's just way too much overlapping wool to do much for airflow. With the lower yardage box pleats, though, they move really easily and the expanding/contracting action of the pleats acts like a bellows. It really gives me some fanning of my legs, helping keep me cool.

So I'd say that in hot weather, especially for active outdoor stuff (like hiking), the box pleat is the way to go. And I could see it also being OK for casual events, or even dressing up a bit. But to be quite honest, if I were going to a Highland Games or anywhere else that I knew other kilties would be paying attention, I'd probably go with my tank in my clan tartan.

Of course, you never know. The more I wear the box-pleated kilt, the more I could fall in love with that style. I just haven't worn it enough to know for sure. All I know is that right now my tank retains 'top dog' status in my wardrobe, and the only reason I wouldn't choose it is if it was just too hot, or I was going to do something that might mess it up.