Traditonal vs. Historical

[TheOfficialBren]

I agree.

The jabot is an example of the shift happening in front of us as we watch.

I would say that the fly plaid might be another example but it could also be considered a another animal--a fashion trend within the kilted world that are neither historical or completely traditional, yet they come and go over the years.

Box pleats...hmm...as much as I like them (I really do like them a lot) I do not see them realistically returning to their former prominance. I know of only a few well-known makers offering them (and those are expensive kiltmakers--although you will get top-shelf quality from them). Many people might never own an heirloom kilt and if they do they'll spend that money on one good 8-yard (a more modern affectation, surely) tank. The additional money they spend will likely go toward a fancy sporran, a nice jacket, some VERY high-end hose, and perhaps a custom sgian dubh (if they even bother with the latter).
Realistically, most men will only ever own one or two kilts (bet your bum that the overwhelming majority are knife-pleated). I fit into that category. I love my kilts but I don't have the "collect them all like trading cards" mentality. I'm not knocking folks who do, it just isn't my thing. Kingussie-Rev-K pleating options, again, historical (and now, according to US Patent law, dangerous territory with regard to proprietary rights in relatin to Utilikilt from what I've read) but not likely to really catch on.

Truthfully, even over here across the pond, we look to Scotland to see "how it's done." if it's considered odd-ball or "just not done" then the majority will say, "oh! Gotcha! It's just not done that way," and move on. I have gathered from other threads that pretty much anything that looks historical (including box pleats [so it pains me to say this] would be considered quite out-of-the-ordinary in Scotland (and treated like a 'costume' porentially earning you a Glasgow Kiss).

Just a few well-meaning thoughts worth the value of the photons expended.