wearer's height?

**Martin** · 26th July 07, 11:20 AM

Here's something that has always puzzled me.

Some kiltmakers, when taking measurements, ask for the wearer's height as well as waist, seat and length.

What is the purpose of this and what adjustments does the kiltmaker make to the kilt as a result?

**Moosedog** · 26th July 07, 11:30 AM

Hi, Martin,

Good question!

One reason is to confirm that the buyer has measured properly. Of course one can't tell by height alone what the kilt dimensions should be...But if the buyer's height seems out of proportion to the other measurements at least the kiltmaker can probe to determine if the measurements are accurate.

If someone requests a 22.5 inch length but is 6 foot 4, I know to ask some additional questions to make sure they have measured themselves properly and that their expectation of where the kilt will ultimately ride is clear.

Moosedog

**Martin** · 26th July 07, 11:45 AM

Ah, I see, a kind of error checking procedure.

As it happens, I wear a 22.5" length kilt and I'm 5' 8". Hopefully that works out right!

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 26th July 07, 11:52 AM

Yup, I usually ask for height and weight, if it's not a person I have seen in person, just so I can tell if the measurements provided are what I would expect or not.
M

**RockyR** · 27th July 07, 05:09 AM

Ditto what everyone else said... if I get measurements that seem too long or a bit short, I ask the height.

As a VERY GENERAL rule of thumb... a kilt should be 1/3 the wearer's height. Work it out with the math... if you're 6', that means you're 72" tall. 1/3 of 72" would be a 24" length.

**Martin** · 27th July 07, 05:13 AM

Thanks for the info chaps. I can sleep at night now!

As for the general rule of thumb, i.e. a kilt's length being one third the wearer's height, that works out almost exactly for me.

5' 8" = 68". 68/3= 22.6

I have a 22.5" kilt on order!

**ChattanCat** · 4th August 07, 09:29 AM

1/3 of the height = kilt length
1/3 of the kilt length = fell... Hmmm, If only the world were divided into thirds.... but wait, I think the kilt came first! So... just some rambling thoughts before I get to kilting.

**James MacMillan** · 4th August 07, 11:23 AM

Hey that's really neat! 1/3 of the height. It works for my frame, and I'll be able to give rough estimates when some of my mates come over from the dark side.

Who wudda thunk it could be that simple?

**RockyR** · 4th August 07, 03:01 PM

Originally Posted by James MacMillan

Hey that's really neat! 1/3 of the height. It works for my frame, and I'll be able to give rough estimates when some of my mates come over from the dark side.

Who wudda thunk it could be that simple?

It's really NOT that simple... the 1/3 thing is just a rough guide to make sure the person ordering the kilt is IN THE BALLPARK when it comes to their length. Again... do NOT use that rule to tell your kiltmaker your length... use their measuring instructions.

**ChattanCat** · 4th August 07, 05:28 PM

Originally Posted by RockyR

It's really NOT that simple... the 1/3 thing is just a rough guide to make sure the person ordering the kilt is IN THE BALLPARK when it comes to their length. Again... do NOT use that rule to tell your kiltmaker your length... use their measuring instructions.

Aye Rocky, you are correct. It is a good reference check to the measurements given. I took my brothers measurements for a kilt. I guess I had a few because I mixed the hip dimension with the waist. I asked for a recheck and glad I did. Measure twice, cut once.