Hemlines.....

[Dakotan]

My SportKilts hit me at the top of my (very knobby)knee-caps, which I always considered somewhat short. Passable for it's use, but short.
I just recently got a traditional kilt from StillwaterKilts.com (which, by the way, I can recommend VERY highly ) and this hemline hits me below the center and above the bottom of my knee-caps, which I consider to be perfect. With a proper pair of kilt hose, my Stillwater kilt did a fine job of hiding those knobby knee-caps at the Burns Supper!

More random ramblings! - Dakotan

[Blu (Ontario)]

I don't mind the look of the hemline at the top of the kneecap although the kiltmakers I've dealt with also say that mid-knee is correct.

Re: Stillwater kilts...The kilts look like they are well constructed judging by the photographs. How is the fabric for swing and wrinkle resistance? I like the wide straps. Is that a sewn hemline or selvedge? They look quite good when worn with all the accessories. Can you elaborate on your critique a bit.

Blu

[Kilted_John]

For me, I like it just above the kneecap, which is how I was measured by my kiltmaker (North Channel here in the Seattle area, btw). Besides, our knees are supposed to show when we're wearing a trad. kilt. The kilt hose I usually do wear about 1/4-1/2" below the cap, since, in my personal opinion, having it 1" or more away from the cap looks a bit strange.
-J

[Dakotan]

Blu, even though this is my first traditional kilt, I am extremely impressed with my Stillwater kilt, even though I‘ve only had occasion to wear it twice so far. I got mine off of eBay for all of $75.00, not expecting a great deal more than an “ok” traditional kilt…. OOPS! I seem to have gotten a LOT more than my $$s worth.
The kilt has three straps that are fairly thick 1 ½” wide leather, well secured to the material with strong buckles to match. This was a big selling point to me.
The kilt has 30 pleats, each one 2 ½” deep, crisp, perfectly pressed to the sett, and in there for life! It came with the pleats hemmed down in 2 rows which, I might add, were perfectly done and easy to remove. I believe the bottom “hemline” is selvedge, but it’s the straightest selvedge I’ve ever seen, so NO complaints there.
The fabric is an “acrylic blend“, nicely woven, and very hard to tell from the Scottish wool Royal Stewart tartan kilt another gent was wearing at our Burns Supper. The drape and swing are excellent, and a new experience to me, since I’ve only owned SportKilts which are quite stiff comparatively!
The kilt will wrinkle, but only after sitting on the pleats the wrong way for a long time! And they seem to have simply “hung” themselves out! I went to press the pleats a day after the Burns Supper, but the wrinkles I thought were there… were gone. All in all I’m quite pleased. This is a kilt that will go with my Prince Charlie jacket for formal occasions, and equally as well with my Tam and Poet shirt for Renn Faires.
The only problem is that the kilt is much nicer than I expected! I’m almost afraid to wear it to Renn Faires!
Oh well! No point in having a nice kilt if you don’t wear it!
Just the “view from here!” ,
Dakotan

[Macwizzard]

There are three main styles of kilts-and consequently three main lengths due to their respecitve wearing methods.

In this world, you have your Straight Up traditional kilts, your modern traditional kilts, and your modern kilts. Traditional being 8-9 yards hand-sewn woll,tartan-and for purists, made in Scotland; Modern Traditional Being 6-9 yards hand/machine sewn poly/cotton/blend in a tartan pattern; Modern-anything resembling a UK, Amerikilt, or the like in a non-tartan pattern.

Traditional kilts are best worn mid knee at the bottom and right around your belly button at the top. When the knee is bent, the hem should be just above the ground, not touching it. That bit of"kilt should touch the ground" jazz began during World War I when large numbers of Scottish Recruits had to be measured for their Uniform kilts. Instead of measuring each lad standing for the perfect fit, the tailor could zip along measuring the distance from the waist to the ground to make things a good deal quicker. Also, most military kilts are just hemmed along the bottom-not custom made, thus a mark, a quick change of hem length, and you have a kilt.

The Modern traditional and Modern kilts are worn all three ways-either traditionally about the waist to the mid knee-or in one of two "hipster" styles. Many Modern and Modern Traditional kilts are made to the same specifications(more the latter than the former) as a traditional kilt, yet are worn lower. Consequently, the longer length beyond the knee is there. Or, if measured differently, the kilt is measured to rest on the hips and end about mid knee level. In both cases, Modern and Modern Traditional kilts are usually worn about the hip-in what many consider a more comfortable area for a waistline. Thus you have the longer hem even with Full-on Traditional Kilts.

Personally, I like the Traditional fit. That is the same region I have always worn my belts and seems more comfortable to me. But then, not being the most "Hip" of gentlemen, I do prefer a higher waistline to a lower one. Just my two bits.

--Macabus

[Blu (Ontario)]

Well, everybody seems to be pretty much in agreement on the issue. I've seen men on occasion wearing kilts that are both far too short (several inches above the knee) and waaaay too long (a hand width or more below the kneecap). I'm not sure which looks worse...but I do know that it looks Baaaad.

[benkilt]

I prefer my kilts at mid-knee, nothing to do with tradition, just coz I've got knobbly knees
all the best

[Robin]

I like top knee cap best...mid knee at the lowest.

my personal opinion...long kilts look terrible

[cessna152towser]

My kilts vary in length from 21" to 24". Generally, my traditional kilts tend to be shorter than my modern style ones as I prefer to wear a tartan kilt at mid knee or a non-trad kilt to bottom of knee.

[David Thornton]

I always thought top of the knee, but my wife says it has to be longer so as to preserve my modesty.

David


OK I'm lying, but you thought it was funny too.