Do Large Setts Look Better on Large Men?

We were asked if a tartan with a larger sett size looks better on a larger frame, and vice versa.
The "Sett" of a tartan is one full representation of the thread-count. That is, one completion of the pattern of colors and stripes - one "square". Some tartans have a very "open" looking sett with a lot of empty space among the lines. Others are very dense designs with many stripes and small squares within each repeat of the pattern ie. "busy".
Why? Simply the vague nature of tartan design down the years - someone just thought it looked good.
Some people also wonder if pleating a kilt to the Sett or to the stripe looks better or worse on larger men. Pleating to the Sett means the pleats of the kilt will overlap in such a way that to the viewer, the entire Sett pattern is visible. Pleating to the stripe means one single line on the Sett is centered on each pleat resulting a row of vertical lines. This is a style which was adopted by many military units over the years.
So...can the size or complexity of your sett, or the way it's pleated, flatter your body? Make you look more trim? Or is this overthinking?
Tartans in this video:
Rocky - County Leitrim
www.usakilts.c...
Erik: Kilts & Culture Official
www.usakilts.c...
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Started in 2003, USA Kilts is a team of kilt makers and artisans located in Spring City PA. In 2017, we made it our mission to build community and bring kilts and Celtic culture to the forefront with our YT show: Kilts & Culture.
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[@danielrickel8807]

Personal preference should be the first priority. I’m a big man but prefer smaller more intricate patterns.

[@jonlilley2832]

Most commonly sett size is scaled by the mills and to an extent, the designer & weaver, but the average sett size for kilts these days are 7" give or take and inch. However, there are always exceptions to the rule, for example, then Black watch is 10.25" and the the ancient Ferguson is even larger. In those cases, the kiltmaker has to either sew a lot of pleats, cheat a pleat, or luckily with Black Watch, can be pleated to no sett pattern. The other thing about flattering your wearer is to avoid the Lawn Chair Look if at all possible by using over check stripes in white, yellow, cream, etc. to offset the horizontal lines. Hope all's going well there! I always enjoy your commentaries.

[@slydermartin6008]

I asked my wife if size matters.... the answer is private....but.....
Been a while since I've posted my appreciation of your videos. Always good fun even when Mack#2 is holding down the digital fort. 👀

[@kahn04]

In your own opinions, does set size/pleating style affect the level of formality?

[@joelcarden-gibson6761]

So I bought my first kilt not too long ago and it is a 26, i haven’t been able to find any other that’s my size. How can I work with that. All the sizes I see are a 30 minimum.

[@timothycook7388]

I like big setts and I cannot lie, the other tartans can't deny

[@Theblankwindow]

One of the things I noticed, is you wear the plaid tartans but not the pleated ones. I think the black fronted pleated tartans with something about 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 down red plaid or blue with purple tints is a more casual to semi dress and is more fun to wear than the everyday ones. So, how do you feel about that? And do you like to sport the pleated ones without trying to be dressy? I can certainly send a link to a pic of mine if you wish. Just need a link to send.

[@coveygroff]

I'm not following this at all. All tartan is plaid (warp and weft). A pleat is a fold in the cloth that is sewn in and doesn't relate to the weave of the cloth.

[@susangrande8142]

Are you talking about kilts made with a solid-colored or tweed fabric?? And, umm, all kilts are pleated around the body except for the apron, which is in the front…. What??

[@Theblankwindow]

@@susangrande8142 Yes, the front is solid black, then it has the folds with the red tartan within the folds that run around the back in black on the outside and inside has the tartan in the folds. Looks very dressy and fancy. You know what? If I could show you a pic, then you would know what I'm talking about. I can't describe it. It's an unusual kilt.

[@susangrande8142]

⁠@@Theblankwindowthat doesn’t sound like a traditional Scottish kilt at all. It sounds like a hybrid of some kind, or a utility kilt. Like a fashion kilt. 🤷‍♀️

[@straycat1674]

So basically what you’re saying is overthink even more! Got it!