The kilt is actually a three dimensional shape, the top of the pleats needs to be rounded to follow the shape of the body if it is to be a perfect fit.That sewn part is called the fell.

Below the fell the pleats should fall vertically, forming a half cylinder when worn.
The fell should reach your widest contour.

When laid out flat, the pleats should be slightly unfolded outwards to follow the arc shape, and ought to fall back into the vertical when the kilt is picked up.

The aprons are shaped at the edges where they meet the pleats, and the outer one is shaped on both edges. This creates the optical illusion of a straight apron, without it the apron would appear narrower at the bottom.

With a wool kilt it is possible to shape the top of the apron, narrowing it to reduce the top edge if you have a bit of a 'bay window' in front. That is the skill of tailoring, shaping wool cloth to make a perfect fit.

Kilts obey the normal rules of clothing, but they do have a few idiosyncrasies entirely their own.

They do have some straight lines, but they also have curved ones.

Anne the Pleater :ootd: