Subtle difference?

[Downunder Kilt]

Was looking for something else and came across this 2007 thread that maybe of interest re military box pleating
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...at-kilt-27980/

[Riverkilt]

The military box pleat that my kiltmaker sews is very intricate - would guess same as the sketch. She went back to kiltmaker's school in Scotland to take a course focused entirely on the "proper" way to make a military box pleat. From what I understand it is a difficult - or at least taxing - pleat to sew, costs extra for that craftsmanship, and is a thing of beauty when done properly.

[Father Bill]

Wow! That's a lot of information, Matt. I'm considering a box pleat for my next kilt, and wondering how to choose between all the options. I was thinking I wanted something simpler than a knife-pleat, but now I'm not sure and more than a bit confused.

I hear fellows saying that a box-pleat is lighter, cooler, and less expensive due to the lesser amount of cloth... but now I begin to doubt that.

What factors should be considered here other than simply personal preference?

[Chas]

Good graphic, Downunder. Thanks. I've stolen that for future reference.

Regards

Chas

[Downunder Kilt]

Good graphic, Downunder. Thanks. I've stolen that for future reference.

Regards

Chas

That's how I got it Chas, so your welcome

It was actually posted here on a thread some time ago, but by who I don't know. So thanks to the original poster, things like this always tend to come in handy

[English Bloke]

That's how I got it Chas, so your welcome

It was actually posted here on a thread some time ago, but by who I don't know. So thanks to the original poster, things like this always tend to come in handy

The graphic is originally from Lady Chrystel's website and is used in the description of her wonderfully innovative
"double box pleat Kilt © ".

[Downunder Kilt]

Thanks John, and a big thankyou to Lady Chrystel

[seanachie]

The graphic is originally from Lady Chrystel's website and is used in the description of her wonderfully innovative
"double box pleat Kilt © ".

So I take it John that the copyright means they are exclusive to Lady Chrystel and the only source for double box pleats?

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Wow! That's a lot of information, Matt. I'm considering a box pleat for my next kilt, and wondering how to choose between all the options. I was thinking I wanted something simpler than a knife-pleat, but now I'm not sure and more than a bit confused.

I hear fellows saying that a box-pleat is lighter, cooler, and less expensive due to the lesser amount of cloth... but now I begin to doubt that.

What factors should be considered here other than simply personal preference?

They are most likely talking about a four yard box pleated kilt. When one compares a four yard box pleated kilt to an eight yard knife pleated kilt, then yes, most definitely the box pleated kilt will be lighter, cooler and less expensive. But all of that has to do with the fact that it is made from four yards of cloth versus eight -- not with the particular style of pleating.

One thing that contributes to confusion is the fact that most kilt retailers and kilt makers keep their offerings fairly simple. For example, at the STM giftshop, we offer our "standard" gent's 8 yard knife pleated kilt; we offer a "casual" kilt made from nominally four yards of cloth; and we offer the traditional four yard box pleated kilt.

So if you are looking just at our on line catalog and what we have listed, you'd assume that a box pleated kilt necessarily is made from four yards, while a knife pleated kilt has eight - unless you opt for the casual style kilt, which is made with less. And that would be true as far as the offerings from our catalog go. But that certainly is not the end of the story.

It helps to think of pleating style and amount of yardage as two independent factors. It is entirely possible to have your kilt made from four, five, six, seven, or eight yards of cloth. And however much cloth is used, you can have it box pleated or knife pleated.

Now, just as when most people say "knife pleated kilt" they intend the eight yard variety, because that is what is most common today, when people simply say "box pleated kilt" (at least here on this forum) they generally intend the four yard variety because that is what was the norm in the early nineteenth century and that's the style that has been revived somewhat.

Note that in certain circles unfamiliar with the current popularization of the traditional four yard box pleated kilt here on X Marks, if you simply say "box pleated kilt" they will assume you are talking about the higher-yardage, modern day military variety.

So when in doubt it always help to be as specific as possible with the details, especially when talking with your kilt maker!

[Father Bill]

Matt, as always... you're the best! Thanks so very much!

Bill+