Sweeping your pleats for that long car ride!!

[Jock Scot]

I just wonder why you chaps "over there" who insist on driving cars, etc. with the stearing wheels on the wrong side and drive on the wrong side of the road, just don't get your kilts made with the pleats going the wrong way too?

In all seriousness why not?

[Grizzled Ian]

I've been wondering that for a while now Jock. But Barb T says in her wonderful book on kiltmaking that knife pleats run around to the right. I wonder, though, if the fundamental reason is that "that is the way it's always been done", or if there is a logic that stems from the making process. I wonder how long it would have taken unknowing observers to work out that there was a difference, and what the difference is.

[Spartan Tartan]

I can not see any reason why NOT to pleat the other direction. I would bet that the largest majority of people would never notice.

[Nik]

Well I'll definitely try the suggestions offered here and see what works best for me. Though I've found that the biggest issue I have, and it could be the kind of wool my kilt is. But from the getting in an out of the car I build up some static cling. I don't like feeling the pleats constantly on the back of my legs. The wife suggested hair spray, but this is a wool kilt not a cotton skirt. So I wants too keen on the idea she offered.

Once I get this one thing fix, I'll be cruising in my kilt with style, confidence and no worries.

-Nik

[McElmurry]

I can not see any reason why NOT to pleat the other direction. I would bet that the largest majority of people would never notice.

But then I would have to learn to sweep with my left hand whilst maintaining modesty with my right.

[AJBryant]

I'd like to add my voice to "that belt thing... it's BRILLIANT!"

Being a (currently) large fellow, getting my hand back there to sweep anything more than part of one cheek (you understand what I mean... too much to work with ) is impossible. But having the belt there to sit on ans sweep the pleats in with... that's just frelling outstanding.

Tony

[cck]

I knew there had to be a reason for sitting on that side of the car - so your pleats won't fall out the door!

[artificer]

I just wonder why you chaps "over there" who insist on driving cars, etc. with the stearing wheels on the wrong side and drive on the wrong side of the road, just don't get your kilts made with the pleats going the wrong way too?

In all seriousness why not?

I did try driving on the left side of the road, but the local constabulary very rapidly disabused me of the idea, once they caught me.

To speculate on your question- Possibly because kilt makers (and other craftspeople) tend to be a traditional lot, and you do what you were taught. So unless someone asks for a "left-hand-drive" kilt, you get the standard issue pleating.

Driving or sitting for a long event is a treat in a lower yardage kilt- I've got a 5yd box pleat that's lovely for such instances.

ith:

[Chas]

I just wonder why you chaps "over there" who insist on driving cars, etc. with the stearing wheels on the wrong side and drive on the wrong side of the road, just don't get your kilts made with the pleats going the wrong way too?

In all seriousness why not?

Isn't it something to do with the majority of men being right handed?

Regards

Chas

[Pleater]

A large silk square or piece of Cire (there should be a / accent on the e) laid half way on the seat means that you can sit down, slide back, then swivel through 90 degrees with little friction - the material moves with you keeping your pleats unruffled. You can even use the fabric to lift the edge of the kilt inside if necessary

Anne the Pleater :ootd: