Belting the Plaid: How'd They Do It??

**Graywolf** · 8th August 09, 02:02 PM

Originally Posted by QMcK

They would probably have slept in the plaid, but I don't think they would have had it belted around them (except when they anticipated having to get up at the drop of a hat). I wouldn't want to sleep with something belted around me. But if you were used to it, you probably wouldn't even notice it.

I did it just last weekend at Bushy Run, PA - at a re-enactment of the Battle of Bushy Run. All I did was take my knife out of its sheath. Kept the kilt belted and just wrapped the excess around me. Wasn't uncomfortable, since it rained overnight, I was up and dressed in no time.

**QMcK** · 10th August 09, 04:16 AM

Ok. Perhaps they did sleep with it belted on, then.

**Nighthawk** · 11th August 09, 06:41 PM

I am back from the weekend festivities, with pleat shots as promised:

This is my friend in his great kilt.

The pleats close up:

They are not pressed, and they do naturally fall that way.

**Nighthawk** · 11th August 09, 06:45 PM

...and just for giggles:

Big sword!

**SteveB** · 11th August 09, 07:50 PM

5 yards of tartan, a paved driveway, 2 belts, 7 minutes.

**Nighthawk** · 11th August 09, 08:37 PM

The discussion was how the pleats could look crisp in those paintings. Do you have any pleat shots?

**McMurdo** · 11th August 09, 10:58 PM

Great photos Nighthawk, the pleats sure look crisp on your friends great kilt. Thanks for the photos.

**Nighthawk** · 12th August 09, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by McMurdo

Great photos Nighthawk, the pleats sure look crisp on your friends great kilt. Thanks for the photos.

Thanks! I've been told I have a good eye. I'm not sure I believe it, but I try. So anyways- Curtis keeps his great kilt pleated even when he's not wearing it. The pleats have picked up natural creases. I figure it works the same way as when I sit on my modern kilts and get new creases pressed into them from the weight of me bum. Similar process I would guess.

**KiltedSwede** · 14th August 09, 04:11 PM

Would sewing in the pleats or attaching belt loops not take away from the versatility of the kilt if this was an item of clothing that could be used as a shelter, bag, etc.? I can see how gathering the pleats in a similar fashion on a daily basis would create natural creases/pleats in the wool (not to mention that I highly doubt they were washed all that often).
I tend to favor the thought that the paintings show more of a "staged" and formal wearing of the kilt than a representation of how the average Scot would have wrapped and worn it. My outdoor gear/garb certainly hangs and fits differently than a suit.

**Nighthawk** · 14th August 09, 04:16 PM

Originally Posted by KiltedSwede

Would sewing in the pleats or attaching belt loops not take away from the versatility of the kilt if this was an item of clothing that could be used as a shelter, bag, etc.? I can see how gathering the pleats in a similar fashion on a daily basis would create natural creases/pleats in the wool (not to mention that I highly doubt they were washed all that often).
I tend to favor the thought that the paintings show more of a "staged" and formal wearing of the kilt than a representation of how the average Scot would have wrapped and worn it. My outdoor gear/garb certainly hangs and fits differently than a suit.

In the case of belt loops, I don't see where it would detract from the functionality at all. All you would have to do is remove the belt from the loops. Sewn in pleats, on the other hand, would change things a lot. I personally have a long plaid that I use to sleep under when at reenactments. That actually works really well, and is more versatile than a great kilt- wee kilt with a long plaid, I mean.