Newly Kilted

[Naesk]

Thanks gentlemen, I've almost got it! Cheers!

[Mudge]

Welcome to Xmarks from Indiana!! I think both of your attempts look fine if they feel good to you. I have the same problem with the kilt being higher on one side(I have scoliosis and my right leg is shorter than the left). I just adjust when I think about it and go on.

Let the madness begin!!!

Mike

[McFarkus]

from Chicago! We are so used to wearing p@nt$ around our hips that the higher rise on a traditional kilt makes us feel like Urkel. Your second picture is a definite improvement. If you would rather wear a kilt with a lower waistline, you might try a Utilikilt. Or, with for a traditional kilt, you could eventually spring for a custom made job. OTOH, you look great!

[Java]

Naesk, based on the last picture you posted, I'm insanely jealous of how well the 24" kilt fits you. (I am also a mis-shapen 5'9" dwarf.) If I were you, my next purchase would be a sporran strap. Not because of the look, but because the chain is harder on the material of the kilt. My favorite budget-but-nice one is sold by USA Kilts (link at the top of this page) and runs $20. The trick is, it doesn't appear to be listed on their page right now. On their website if you search "sporran strap" it will magically appear! Honestly, based on the typical North American casual kilt wearing style, you're already looking pretty good!

[Jock Scot]

Well yes the second attempt is better, but not much better, now be brave draw a line accross the centre of the knee cap and just lift the whole shooting match up untill the "hem" is just above it.Get used to that around your middle for a wee while and then TRY the just above the knee cap level and see how it feels? Don't worry too much about the belly button measurement, within reason, and if its five inches above then ok, you are near the top limit for most people, and by the looks of it, it wont be that high on you. I doubt very much that you will notice the difference around the middle, but the overall look will improve greatly. Remember no one sees the top of the kilt when wearing a jumper(sweater) or even(much) with a waist coat and/or jacket. Go on, try it!

[Naesk]

...draw a line accross the centre of the knee cap and just lift the whole shooting match up untill the "hem" is just above it....and if its five inches above then ok, you are near the top limit for most people...Remember no one sees the top of the kilt when wearing a jumper(sweater) or even(much) with a waist coat and/or jacket. Go on, try it!

It is probably the angle of the camera, but the "hem line" was at just about half knee. I had planned on wearing a tad higher as it is, but I think any much more may end up looking odd to me! How high can it go without looking silly and being uncomfortable? Ha.

Also, while I love the look of a kilt with a sweater or jacket, we don't have much of a winter here in Southern California. Our seasons change from fall to summer, that's usually about it. Haha.

[Jock Scot]

It is probably the angle of the camera, but the "hem line" was at just about half knee. I had planned on wearing a tad higher as it is, but I think any much more may end up looking odd to me! How high can it go without looking silly and being uncomfortable? Ha.

Also, while I love the look of a kilt with a sweater or jacket, we don't have much of a winter here in Southern California. Our seasons change from fall to summer, that's usually about it. Haha.

Well OK, you are the boss. However, just to humour me, try raising the kilt another inch(a real genuine inch) and see how you feel?

[Tobus]

Welcome to the board, Naesk. I have to agree with the others - your second pic is a definite improvement! Though the first one would be perfectly fine for pubbing or other casual activities here in the States. Even the kilt length, while low by Scottish tradition, isn't going to be out of place.

As for the kilt appearing higher on one knee than the other, I think I see where the issue comes from. It seems to my eye that your kilt is indeed sitting slightly higher on your right side than your left, not only at the knee, but up around your waist as well. It could be that your natural waist is not exactly even. Don't worry too much about it; nobody is perfectly symmetrical. I notice the exact same thing when I look at photos of myself wearing the kilt. I'm just naturally crooked too. If it really bothers you and makes you self-conscious, just learn to adopt a relaxed stance where you keep one knee straight (locked) and let the other one bend a bit. This naturally tilts your hips to one side, and can offset the existing tilt.

If you don't have any structural/spinal issues, you may actually be able to even yourself out a bit by visiting a chiropractor. You'd be surprised how an adjustment can make you stand straighter, more even, and with better posture. In a lot of cases, we stand or sit crookedly to accommodate other issues that are going on in our bodies, and an adjustment can sometimes clear them up. If you were to tell a chiropractor what you're seeing, he could likely tell you pretty quickly whether it's something he can help with or not. I'm not a medical professional, though, so take my advice with a grain of salt. But it might be worth looking into.

Anyway, Jock is giving you good advice on the height. Don't go by where the top of the kilt is in relation to your navel. That varies from person to person. Feel with your hands by digging into your sides to locate the tops of your hip bones. When you strap on the kilt, the top buckle should be above that, so that it rests on it. The top of the actual kilt will be about 2" above that. Think of your body like an hourglass (even though that's a shape we typically associate with women). The narrowest portion of the hourglass, which relates to the hollow area above your hip bones but below your rib cage, is where you want your top kilt buckle to rest. If the kilt length is correct for you, this will put the bottom edge (selvedge) right at the top of your knee.

When taking photos of yourself, place the camera down at waist height. This way, you don't get a skew from the camera angle that hides your knees!

Last but not least, I would find an actual kilt belt that's 2-1/4" to 2-1/2" wide, instead of trying to wear a regular trouser belt. Trouser belts just don't have the right proportions to go with a kilt. You can 'make do' with it for now, but a kilt-specific belt can be had pretty cheaply and will greatly improve the look.

Kilt on!

[Father Bill]

Welcome to the Great Rabble!

[Naesk]

Alright gents, third wear/attempt. I think it's finding itself situated better with time. Per Jock, I raised it another nudge like I was planning to do and it's all okey dokey! As McFarkus mentioned, I think it is my mind telling me, "Hey Urkiel, quit it!" Not great photos, but I think they'll do for "educational purposes". Thoughts? Also, I know the socks are short, I'm waiting on hose. Haha. I think I'm about to find myself busy with the wonderful job of pressing these pleats, as they were a little ruffled when they shipped. They're adequate but could be sharper, especially on the sides.