Elastic bands on inside of pleats - Seaforth?

[attworth]

I've noticed these before, but have never thought twice about them. I donned my kilt this weekend after adjusting the buckles again (think I finally got it right,) and for some reason these elastic bands really popped out at me as weird.

Anybody seen them, or know what they're for? They run the entire length of the pleated section, about 2-3 inches above the bottom of the kilt.

[Dan R Porter]

Are they on the inside or outside of the kilt?

[attworth]

Are they on the inside or outside of the kilt?

Inside, stiched to the inside of the pleats, probably every 3rd or 4th pleat. They're so worn that they don't do anything. Only thing I can think they were used for is to limit the pleats opening.

[sydnie7]

I've heard of them being used on the military box pleat to keep pleats under control.

[Monkey@Arms]

What Sydnie said. Way2Fractious has discussed the elastic on the inside of a military kilt's pleats once, including pictures of same. You might be able to dig that thread up, its a few years old.

Best regards,

Jake

[The Wizard of BC]

According to two military Kiltmakers that I have talked to the elastic is there to prevent inadvertent blowing up of the Kilt while on parade.

Because members of a military band on parade cannot reach down to hold their pleats in the wind without breaking formation they started putting the elastic there to serve that function without totally destroying the swish.

You can leave it in or remove the elastic if you wish. It serves no purpose on a civilian Kilt.

[The Barry]

I've heard tales of the kilts that Wizard is speaking of. The elastic was put in to keep everything down without killing the swing of the kilt.

[attworth]

Ahh, makes sense.

Thanks. As the elasticity has pretty much used itself up, I think I'll remove them.