Choosing the options for a new kilt.

[Sir Didymous]

A few months back I purchased a Clergy ancient kilt from Sportkilt. It's not a bad kilt for what it is, but it's just not the best for attempting to dress it up. Anyhow, I'm going through the options on a slightly higher end kilt in the same tartan. I'm asking advice before I take the plunge though. First, what are some opinions on the apron fringe. The options I am being given are: none, double, or triple. I have double on my Scottish National and Freedom tartan kilts, single on my brick red belted plaid, none on my blue great kilt, and triple(?) on my current Clergy tartan kilt. Does anyone have an feedback? I'm leaning toward double, but am still uncertain. Also does anyone know what looks best for the Clergy tartan when pleating: stripe or sett? I haven't been able to find any pictures to help with this decision, and many on here are more knowledgeable than my self in these matters. Any thoughts and opinions are welcome. Even if it's just your own preferences.

[chasem]

can't speak to the pleating, but fringe is just personal preference.

[davidlpope]

My preferences:

No fringe, no belt loops, two buckles (one of those a hidden internal buckle).

I generally think pleating to stripe looks nice, particularly with a busy sett like the Clergy tartan.
I'd either pleat to the light blue/black/light blue stripe on blue or the light blue stripe on black, depending on the sett size and the yardage in the kilt.

Matt has an example of a 6yd kilt pleated to the light blue on black stripe here:
http://www.newhousehighland.com/kilt_gallery.html

[Father Bill]

My clergy's pleated to the sett and I really like it that way.

[plaid preacher]

I think David has been reading my mind! My Lamont tartan is a two strap (although both are buckled on the outside) and pleated to the stripe; but that's my bias. I like pleating to the stripe because I have a strong military gene and most military kilts are to stripe...and I also think it emphasises the swish. Either way, it will look great. Clergy is probably next on my list (unless I can get hold of some of that Heather Lamont... then it may get bumped down one).

Can't wait for the picts to see what you ended up with!

[TheOfficialBren]

Can't wait for the picts to see what you ended up with!

(Bolding mine)

Ah ha! I see what you did there. Fun with puns. Clever chap!

[McMurdo]

I do like what David has to say, however I prefer to have a double or triple fringe on an 8 yard kilt but no fringe on a 4 yard kilt. Who are you having make it or is that still to be decided? If you know who you are getting to make the kilt I would suggest discussing the finer points with them.

[ASinclair]

My kilt has double fringe, no belt loops, and one buckle on the right, the left side has two narrow, short strips of Velcro.



It is pleated to the sett.

[TheOfficialBren]

My wool kilt has double fringe. My P/V kilt has no fringe. I can take or leave it. It's almost a non-issue to me. In fact, as long as it's made well, fits decently, and looks good on me, I really am pretty easy to please with Highland wear, come to think about it.

[bonnie heather]

Here's a photo of a kilt I made in the Clergy Ancient tartan, pleated to the sett, in Lochcarron Strome.