Letter Regarding Casual and Traditional kilts

[xman]

Dear Pandora,

Thanks for trusting me to look after your box. I hope you don't mind that I unclasped its latch. It was such an interesting looking mechanism that I just had to try it out. The smooth humming sound it made as it released was so joyful to my ears. I had never heard anything quite so wonderful until I lifted the lid. Really I know you said not to, but I had opened it before I even realised what I was doing and it seemed like it sang to me as it opened. Wonderful.

I was actually surprised to see what you have been keeping inside, that little description of the difference between a casual five yard kilt and a traditional 'tank'. Before I looked in there I didn't even know there was a choice and now I'm left to decide, but I have a problem. I can't find any YouTube clips of how they move differently or what the feel is with the casual kilt. Having worn a traditional kilt before I like the weight and secure coverage for modesty (seriously, lifting the back of a traditional kilt from any one point along the pleats still doesn't really reveal anything) and having a built in seat cushion is great, but I just don't know what's right for me. If the casual kilt looks good enough I'll probably go that way, but I'm still unsure. Most of the tartans I really like are only available in wool and I just can't justify half a dozen traditional kilts in my wardrobe (can you say, 'second mortgage'?), but maybe a few casuals.

Write soon,

X

PS Was that a box pleat explanation as well?

[DougC]

I'm pretty sure the difference between the 5 yard casual and a tank (8 yard knife-pleat) is 3...

[pdcorlis]

Not only is a "Tank" an eight yard kilt - it is a hand sewn eight yard kilt. Now, along with the added fabric usually comes some very different and far more complicated internal construction which - when done correctly should allow you to pass the kilt down through generations of use.

[Riverkilt]

If you click on the USA Kilts banner above you'll find a video of Ham's pleats moving at the bottom of the semi-trad page and video of some old fat guy in a casual showing pleat movement at the bottom of the casual kilt page.

Those might be helpful in your consideration. Check out my galleries here or my photobook link if you wanna. Still don't show swish well but many pics do show some swish - and even more fun - wind dancing in the pleats.

[mbhandy]

If you click on the USA Kilts banner above you'll find a video of Ham's pleats moving at the bottom of the semi-trad page and video of some old fat guy in a casual showing pleat movement at the bottom of the casual kilt page.

Those might be helpful in your consideration. Check out my galleries here or my photobook link if you wanna. Still don't show swish well but many pics do show some swish - and even more fun - wind dancing in the pleats.

Jes Ron you could have made the pic a little smaller it won't resize on my monitor.

MrBill

[Riverkilt]

Sorry, surprised me too...it "was" much smaller. Working on it.

Me of all people on dial up...

Tinkering, should be smaller soon....

Okay, think its fixed now...

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Most of the tartans I really like are only available in wool and I just can't justify half a dozen traditional kilts in my wardrobe (can you say, 'second mortgage'?), but maybe a few casuals.

...only one of which fits, replies:

Why the need for so many kilts? One or two well made kilts (proper tanks) will more than last you a life time. Cheap (okay, inexpensive if you are offended by the word cheap) kilts are the worst sort of false economy, especially in the present tight economy.

And as to the six kilts in my wardorbe? One was made last year by Barbara Tewksbury, one was made 15 years ago by Stewart Christie, three date from more than 30 years ago, and one probably would have fit me when I was about 8 years old!

For the cost of "a few casuals" you can probably have another tank...

[sydnie7]

Your decision-making process should also include consideration of when and where you wear the kilt. For example, each year our clan association has a beach party -- on a real Southern California beach. Many of the members show up in je@ns, because they don't want to subject their tanks to sand, salt-laden air, BBQ coals/fumes, etc. Bob typically wears one of his FlamingoKilts in demin or poly/cotton -- cool, comfortable, washable, and very replaceable should it somehow be damaged.

There are many other posts on this forum about folks in hot, humid climates who prefer less yardage and lighter fabrics for the heat and humidity of summer. Those who kilt on a daily basis may prefer to have a range of garments similar to the closet of a daily p@nts-wearer.

And there are those for whom one, or perhaps two, 100% traditional tanks will do. But IMHO it's all a matter of personal wants, needs, and preference, with no one "right" answer.

[dfmacliam]

I am one who lives in Texas, and I prefer the 4 yd box pleat. The summers get very hot... we experience temperatures over 100F or 38C on regularly, so a box pleat is very comfortable.
This is a US Marine Corps Leatherneck, in a 16 oz Lochcarron Strome, made by Freedom Kilts.
This is an Irish Saffron, in a 16 oz Marton Mills Jura, made by Keltoi Gaelic Clothing.

I like the box pleat, not only because it uses less fabric, it is a historically traditional kilt. I believe Matt has an article that states earliest surviving examples of the kilts, from the mid 1700's, are box pleated.

Both kilts are very nice to wear, made to measure, and the Keltoi is handsewn. Both cost significantly less than a tank, but are made to very high standards. There is definately options you can take, and if you catch John at Keltoi, when he is having a special sale (this month, all Irish and Welsh kilts and accessories are seriously discounted), you can keep the costs even lower.

[NewGuise]

Amen, Brother Peacekeeper83, to your praise of the Keltoi box pleated kilt. I await my second...