a shocking confession

**Alan H** · 30th November 11, 11:43 AM

Regarding kilt length....

An inch is irrelevant, IMHO. I wear tartan kilts that hit me at the top of the knee, in the middle of the knee and at the bottom of my kneecap. If you don't like where it hits you at the knees, hike it up an inch or yank it down an inch.

While an inch is irrelevant, even an inch and a half, THREE inches is not, in my opinion.

I know, horrors.

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 30th November 11, 12:14 PM

I'm with you, Alan. The kilts I own and wear vary in length from 24" to 25" and I don't really have a preference one way or the other.

I think the trick is not to have the kilt be too long or too short. But there is a range that is considered appropriate (from the middle of the kneecap to about 1" above the top of the knee, in my opinion), and anywhere within that range is fine.

I know some people will agonize over a quarter of an inch difference in their kilt length, but really I think we sometimes tend to over-think things a bit...

**Dixiecat** · 30th November 11, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by M. A. C. Newsome

I know some people will agonize over a quarter of an inch difference in their kilt length, but really I think we sometimes tend to over-think things a bit...

As Mother always said when I wailed about a sewing mistake that she couldn't see...'Walk fast. No one will notice.'

**Cygnus** · 30th November 11, 12:57 PM

Yes, but you know what they say, "Give people an inch, and they'll take an ell."

**be da veva** · 30th November 11, 12:58 PM

I've sold my first kilt for 1/2'' .... I've been hitting myself over the head ever since.....

**Tobus** · 30th November 11, 01:03 PM

To me, an inch makes a big difference. If I'm hiking my kilt up higher on my waist just to keep the bottom where I want it, it means my kilt doesn't fit me correctly. And while it may not be worth "agonizing" over, it should at least tell me that I need a better fitting kilt. I see no reason to walk around all the time adjusting my kilt up or down because it's not sitting where I want. I can tell when the top is sitting at the correct place on my waist, and if the bottom isn't where I want it, shifting the top up or down will make it not as comfortable to wear.

I figure that if people didn't give a rip about whether their kilt was the right length, they wouldn't be here talking about it. The fact that they are here, though, means that they do care. And length is important. End of the world important? No. But worth talking about.

It's really no different than any other article of clothing. If your sleeves are too long on your shirt, it annoys you. Sure, you can button it tighter at the wrist, or push it up on your arm, but it's a constant struggle when you know it's not "right" and it annoys you to have it slipping down over your hand. Why go through that aggravation? It's worth some initial agonizing over the correct sleeve length to make sure that all your shirts fit you well from there on out. Right?

And I would think the same applies with kilts. Some folks just don't care if their sleeves are too long on their shirts, or their kilts are hanging down over their knees. And that's fine for them if they are not very discerning about having it "just so". But for those who want to wear it to a different standard, and ensure that it's comfortable and a pleasure to wear with their sense of correct fit, I see no harm in the endeavour to get it right.

**ForresterModern** · 30th November 11, 01:09 PM

Alan, I never thought the day would come, but I am in absolutely 100% agreement with you. Gasp, I was actually able to type that without getting nauseous or anxious. What is happening to me? Must go take my temperature to make sure I am not in a fever.

jeff

**sydnie7** · 30th November 11, 02:55 PM

Tobus, if I may, I don't think Alan is saying you should live with a kilt that needs to be hitched up throughout the day. I think he's saying, strap it on an inch higher than normal -- adjusted so that it stays there -- and get on with it.

I agree with you, any article that needs to be "fussed with" all day is a pain.

**davidg** · 30th November 11, 02:59 PM

Originally Posted by Tobus

To me, an inch makes a big difference.

I'm right with you on this one. I get extremely irritated at the discomfort

**Panache** · 30th November 11, 03:07 PM

Originally Posted by Alan H

Regarding kilt length....

An inch is irrelevant, IMHO. I wear tartan kilts that hit me at the top of the knee, in the middle of the knee and at the bottom of my kneecap. If you don't like where it hits you at the knees, hike it up an inch or yank it down an inch.

While an inch is irrelevant, even an inch and a half, THREE inches is not, in my opinion.

I know, horrors.

Alan,

Don't worry my friend, it is just another part of your own personal style.
Everyone has their own personal fashion and this flexibility in kilt length is just a part of yours....

Cheers

Jamie