Is my kilt the size I think it is?

[Rachel]

I don't feel like you're pulling the website apart It's surely a good thing to pick up on something you don't feel is correct?

These are just general guides to help people actually put the items on. Not everyone will wear a belt or buckle but we need to let people know if they're wearing one.

Just out of interest, how would you wear your kilt hose? I've always had people and seen them at the bottom of the knee.

[Calgacus]

Hi Rachel,

Firstly, thanks for taking my comments as constructive criticism, and also please note that I am not any sort of voice of authority, nor do I always get it right myself! Having said that, here's my tuppence worth

Personally, I don't like ghillie brogues, and always wear ordinary brogues myself, though I would wear a pair of buckled brogues for more formal occasions if I owned a pair. I noticed after posting that you also sell buckled brogues, so it's a bit of a pity that you don't mention them in the 'how to'.

I have always believed that the belt (if worn) should be worn over the loops, with only the sporran strap passing through the loops. The loops are only there to keep the sporran in place, the belt doesn't need anything to do that, it will stay in place by itself. I also noticed after posting that you state elsewhere that the belt is generally not worn with a waistcoat. I'm guessing the photo is more for 'illustrative purposes', so fair enough.

As for the hose, I believe they should be worn with the tops "around the thickest part of the calves", which in practical terms means having a gap of about three fingers between the bottom of the kneecap and the top of the hose. Combine that with my preferred kilt height which is at the top of the kneecap, and I have about 12cm or 5" of leg exposed.

[Rachel]

I really like the buckle brogues, good choice.

It's quite hard just to have one page to show everyone how to wear every option. We're actually in the process of creating an information centre, so you've given me ideas on features. Sites such as this (well in fact only this one) do help in educating people further, this post in particular I find very interesting.

We have the same debate in the office over the gap between the hose. The most anyone suggests it should be is 4 fingers below the knee.

[Calgacus]

I suppose it depends how fat your fingers are!

The range of what looks 'right', both in terms of kilt height and hose height, is surprisingly narrow. For me personally, it's top of kneecap to middle of kneecap for the kilt, and three +/- a half fingers for the hose.