Kilt Terminology / Verbiage

**RockyR** · 13th April 12, 05:27 AM

Originally Posted by dea3369

I didn't know that, either. This brings up another question:

Why do some kilt vendors also ask for the wearer's height? They already ask for the usual stuff -- waist, rump, fell, drop, etc. Why height? And what's the consequence if one isn't given? Again, thank you for all your great help.

Originally Posted by seanachie

Because of novices. When I was new and ordered my first wool kilt John Hart of Keltoi came back to me and said, based on my height my measurements looked wrong. He was of course correct as I did not correctly add 2" for the rise. Had he not asked the question I would have had a kilt that was the wrong size and been heartbroken, but fully to blame.

Seanachie is right. A kiltmaker should ask height to make sure the person ordering is getting the proper length. Example: I could get a kilt order for 38 X 42 X 25. I may think "Gee, that seems a LITTLE long, but the guy might be 6'3" or so tall, which makes it fine". If the customer includes the height of 5'6" tall with that order, I have the chance to email / call them to check that they did the measurements correctly.

Most people don't realize HOW IMPORTANT the length measurement is. As a kilt maker, I want to be sure our work is 'well represented' and will therefore go the extra mile in double checking the customer's measurements where I can to be sure of a proper fit. Nothing like having a customer email or call after they get their kilt, only to re-order b/c they sent us measurements WAY too short and now need a new kilt to replace their 'mini kilt' they ordered. That can usually be avoided by a simple double-check of their height - length proportion.

BTW, here's the general rule of thumb we use:

5'3" = 21" length
5'6" = 22" length
5'9" = 23" length
6' = 24" length
6'3" = 25" length
6'6" = 26" length

Other kiltmakers will skew the length slightly higher or lower (i.e. someone 5'10" = 24" length), but I have found these estimates work pretty much spot on.

Another small tid-bit. As discussed earlier, the length of the fell should be 1/3 the overall length of the kilt. ALSO, the length of the KILT should be 1/3 the wearer's height. Someone 6' tall is 72". 72 / 3 = 24" Funny how math works out so nicely.

**McElmurry** · 13th April 12, 06:42 AM

Originally Posted by RockyR

BTW, here's the general rule of thumb we use:

5'3" = 21" length
5'6" = 22" length
5'9" = 23" length
6' = 24" length
6'3" = 25" length
6'6" = 26" length

Other kiltmakers will skew the length slightly higher or lower (i.e. someone 5'10" = 24" length), but I have found these estimates work pretty much spot on.

Another small tid-bit. As discussed earlier, the length of the fell should be 1/3 the overall length of the kilt. ALSO, the length of the KILT should be 1/3 the wearer's height. Someone 6' tall is 72". 72 / 3 = 24" Funny how math works out so nicely.

Rocky,

Do the length guidelines include the rise? The reason I ask is I am confused by the measuring directions on your website which say "Put the "0" end of the tape measure at the top of where your kilt WILL BE (the same height you took your waist measurement from)."

I understood the waste measurement coincides with the centerline or prong of the buckle not the top of the kilt; the difference being the rise.

**RockyR** · 13th April 12, 06:52 AM

Yes, when we ask for length, we include the 2" rise (drop + rise = length).

**McElmurry** · 13th April 12, 08:25 PM

Originally Posted by RockyR

Yes, when we ask for length, we include the 2" rise (drop + rise = length).

Thanks for the clarification. Unfortunately, not all kiltmakers use consistent terminology.

**dea3369** · 14th April 12, 02:27 AM

Originally Posted by RockyR

Another small tid-bit. As discussed earlier, the length of the fell should be 1/3 the overall length of the kilt. ALSO, the length of the KILT should be 1/3 the wearer's height. Someone 6' tall is 72". 72 / 3 = 24" Funny how math works out so nicely.

To quote Arte Johnson (from Rowan and Martin's Laff-In), VERY INTERESTING. Thank you for this insight. This makes me feel a bit better about the kilt I ordered about a month ago. I've been reading lots of posts and books lately and run into many comments about "not too short, not too long, just right" about where the bottom of the kilt should hit the wearer (top of kneecap).