highland warrior's kilt

**Riverkilt** · 15th July 07, 10:30 AM

I'm in line to sign up too. KNEE FREEDOM!

Tell you what, wearing a kilt above the knee is just plain common sense. The kilts I have that are a tad longer - mid knee - "beat up" the back of my knees when I walk. Most noticeable on a hike, which is what our ancestors did a lot.

Ron

**MacWage** · 15th July 07, 10:50 AM

Most (I think all) of my kilts are worn "at the top of the knee" to slightly higher.

Also, depictions of "highland warriors" in the days of the belted plaids depict the lengths as ANYWHERE between lower calf to mid-thigh. There were also contemporary complaints of highlanders showing immodesty by exposing themselves with their short kilts/belted plaids (The basis of my comments in the "mini-kilt" thread).

However, like it or not, we now are post-Victorian kilt "rules," SO there are ways things "are done" and "not done." One of these elements is the length of the kilt, which is usually mid-knee to just above the knee. No matter WHAT your opinions are, a kilt 6 inches above the knee WILL be considered "too short" by many, many people.

As much as I have aversion to many of the arbitrary "rules" used to kilts and kilting (inc. non-functional sporrans and a few other odd elements), the length one works pretty well for modern kilt-wearing in both utility and keeping modesty.

However, we should NEVER forget that things were NOT always the way they are now. In times past, kilts were worn doing things most people would be shocked at today. Before the re-legalizing and 1820-ish "romanticizing" of the kilt, they (kilts/philibegs and belted plaid) were seen as "rough" and more of a feral or savage image than most see kilts today.

We also live in a world of SHORTS cut VERY long too. Most just don't like kilts shorter than they wear their shorts.
Maybe, it tastes and mores change where men are again in shorter shorts, maybe shorter kilts will again become acceptable.

It is VERY interesting comparing and contrasting views, picts, and mores from various times and seeing similarities and STARK differences between then and today.
(Side note: many of the "puritan" notions are more Victorian than anything taught or believed by the Puritans themselves.)

Martin, THANKS for creating THIS thread. It has had interesting discussion and brought back memories. Most importantly, it has made me (and others) think.

**Perldog007** · 15th July 07, 11:05 AM

I tend to wear mine too long. I like the idea of just above the knee, but my right knee has some pretty scary damage. Tend to be a bit self concious about that.

**Captain** · 15th July 07, 01:15 PM

Originally Posted by M. A. C. Newsome

Some people remain convinced that "proper kilt length" is determined by measuring from your waist to the floor while kneeling, but this usually results in a kilt at least 2" too long

That's the only way I've been told to measure for kilt length... Is there a better way?

**pdcorlis** · 15th July 07, 01:31 PM

Put me down for the top of the knee I think that looks and feels great. Too much shorter and I'm afraid I'd feel like a member of the girls field hockey team - what you choose is of course entirely your business.

Thanks for the topic!

**Mr. MacDougall** · 15th July 07, 01:49 PM

When I was young and strongly muscled, I shared a berthing compartment with other young and strongly muscled lads. I remember a discussion one day, when one of my shipmates came out of the shower with a towel wrapped around his middle, about the fact that most of us rescue swimmers had better legs than most girls who wore short skirts, and what a shame it was that society didn't let us show them off.

Now I'm old and fat... but I still have nice legs. I don't mind showing a little more of them.

**Ozman1944** · 15th July 07, 02:53 PM

The idea of men wearing kilts like their shorts is probably true. I've always worn 'shorter' shorts - 6" inseam-I reckon those ugly, baggy long Cargo things worn now defeat the whole purpoise of staying cool. So my Kilts are always at the top of the knee. ( Like Mr.Mac Dougal, I might be older & fatter, but I still have cute legs-ahem!- so don't mind showing them off, it distracts from the aging face). If undies are worn, a REALLY short "kilt" shouldn't be a problem, but beware of leather car seats in summer.....or lay a towell on the seat.

**Ozman1944** · 15th July 07, 02:55 PM

PS. The Avtar pic was an exception to give a more 'Formal' look.

**GlassMan** · 15th July 07, 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by Captain

That's the only way I've been told to measure for kilt length... Is there a better way?

Visit your kilt maker in person and have them measure you!

Sorry, had to say it.

In truth I never wear my kilts lower than the top of my knee and I've got a couple cut higher than that. I have no problem showing my legs, even though they are not the best looking things in the world.

My partner Nope has taken to wearing a couple of very high set kilts lately. One of them stops a good 3 inches above the knee. When we were out one day (he was pushing me in my wheelchair) a lady came up and stopped the two of us. I had thought that she would be giving us a hard time about our clothing, but instead she simply wanted to express her frustration that Nopadon's legs were good enough to pull off a short kilt but her's couldn't!