Advice on pleating choice for Macleod of Harris

[Kurt]

Hello everyone,

First off I want to thank everyone for the wealth of information you have made available on this forum. I have spent the last few months pouring over posts here and have found that many of my preconceptions about highland attire were blatantly wrong. It has been a wonderful experience and I hope my knowledge will continue to grow. Now on to the topic...

I am having a kilt made for my wedding from Macleod of Harris ancient tartan. I am leaning toward pleating to the line at the red stripe. I have read over and over about how many tartans just don't look right pleated to the stripe and among other problems can produce the "lawn chair effect". I have to admit I am still confused about what makes them look "wrong". So I figured instead of reading through more and more posts I would simply put up a picture of what I planned to do and ask....how does it look?

I would really appreciate any positive or negative feedback anyone has to offer on this pleating choice.




Thank you,

Kurt

[MacMillan's son]

I like it a lot!!

I believe "The dreaded lawn chair effect" occurs, for some people, if there isn't a strong vertical element in the pleat. When that is the case, you are left with a dominant horizontal bar which can accentuate a wide rear....bumper

Your dominant red stripe reduces the likelyhood of that.

I think you've made a fine choice, and one, if I were to wear that tartan, would likely make myself.

I say: Go for it!

[Jock Scot]

I have to declare an interest here, I wear MacLeod of Harris too. To my mind pleating to the stripe is far too busy and frankly rather brash and for myself, pleating to the sett is much quieter and pleasing to the eye. However, each to their own and may I wish you all the best at your upcoming wedding.

[rondo]

I think it looks fine. The red verticle stripe keeps it from looking too much like a lawn chair. You'd be fine either way in my opinion.
Rondo

[McElmurry]

I have to declare an interest here, I wear MacLeod of Harris too. To my mind pleating to the stripe is far too busy and frankly rather brash and for myself, pleating to the sett is much quieter and pleasing to the eye. However, each to their own and may I wish you all the best at your upcoming wedding.

Brash

8. Scot. and North England Dialect .

a. a sudden shower or burst of rain.

b. any sudden, minor sickness or indisposition, especially of the digestive tract.

c. an assault; attack.

I hope you get to feeling better Jock.

Perhaps Kurt lives on the brash side of the pond.

Seriously, do you suppose pleating to the stripe is more dominant in North America because folks here mostly see the kilt in a parade setting either military or pipe band?

[Jock Scot]

Brash

8. Scot. and North England Dialect .

a. a sudden shower or burst of rain.

b. any sudden, minor sickness or indisposition, especially of the digestive tract.

c. an assault; attack.

I hope you get to feeling better Jock.

Perhaps Kurt lives on the brash side of the pond.

Seriously, do you suppose pleating to the stripe is more dominant in North America because folks here mostly see the kilt in a parade setting either military or pipe band?

I think you may be right there. The tartan pleated to the stripe used to be thought as a military thing over here. As I understand it, the tartan, in civilian wear, was not too long ago was just pleated---not to the sett, or the stripe----- and I think it was about a 100 years ago that pleating to the sett became the norm. I think it probably still holds true here, that unless you direct your kilt maker otherwise, your kilt will arrive pleated to the sett. Something people need to be mindful of when ordering a kilt from Scotland.In fact I doubt that many Scots know that there is an option and I doubt that many kilt makers here make a point of actually offering that option.

[Duke of Delrio]

I am one of many who prefers pleating to the set, however I occasionally make exceptions. Your tartan, to my eye, takes pleating to the red stripe very well. Your kilt looks very nice just as it is pleated, and I wish you the very best every time you wear it.

[Brian K]

I like the look of it but, most of all,

[tulloch]

I think it looks fine - really nice. Congratulations. Wear it in good health for many years and I hope it does not shrink.

[Chukta]

I had my MacLeod of Haris pleated to stripe, and I love it! I've gotten lots of compliments on it.



Of course, mine is weathered and the colors are more subtle, but I think the kilt in the photo you posted looks great. Wear it proudly!