One half-inch

[Cameron of Texas]

Well, fellas, humbly I submit my first photo in my first kilt.

My son took the photo above my eye line so it's difficult to see where the kilt falls at my knee but I think the length is ideal. Also, the photo might suggest a kilt more rich in hue than as it actually appears. The Loachcarron Cameron modern is more muted than the same tartan from other weavers, which is what made me choose Lochcarron. You'll note that my [empty] sporran is 'pushing in' on the kilt. Perhaps this is a downside to a lightweight material more suitable to Texas summers. Is my sporran too low?

The strange look to my shirt is the result of me folding it under so that it wouldn't hang over my sporran.
kilt July 19.jpg

[The Wizard of BC]

Your photo prompts me to ask a question.

When you measured for this kilt - did you specifically ask for the bottom of the kilt to fall so far below your knees?

The reason I ask is that it is quite common for people to measure for a kilt and not understand one of the basic design features of the kilt.

When the design of the kilt was established, men's trousers were worn much higher than they are worn today.
The kilt is one of the few garments today that retains this older styling.

The top strap is designed to be worn cinched into the anatomical waist. This is up, just below the ribs. The top band of the kilt will actually be higher yet going up, over the bottom of the ribs.

All the rest of the kilt is designed around this high waist. For example - in the back, there is the portion of the kilt that is tapered and sewn down. This area is called "the Fell". The bottom of the Fell is designed to end right at the crest of the buttocks and hips with the waist worn higher.

If you put the kilt on with the waist lower than it was designed to be worn, the bottom of the Fell will not fall in the right place to look good in the back.

Will you do an experiment for me please.

Reach back to your butt and slide your finger up one of the pleats to where the sewn-down portion ends. Is you finger at the crest of the buttocks? This just happens to be right about the same level as the hip joint so that is a good second reference.

Where the bottom of the Fell falls , and where the bottom edge of the kilt hits the knee is actually more important than the waist height.

The kilt is one of the only garments where the wearer must change their expectations and conform to the design of the garment.

Kilt measuring instructions seldom address the because it is just assumed that you are measuring the waist, up high, where the design of the garment dictates it should be.

When the bottom of the Fell and the bottom of the kilt are based on a high waist - if you try to wear the waist where you usually wear trousers - the garment will look odd or develop unsightly puckers and ripples.

The sporran will also not fit well and look like it does in other photos. So this may be why the sporran seems too low.

[Cameron of Texas]

Your photo prompts me to ask a question.

When you measured for this kilt - did you specifically ask for the bottom of the kilt to fall so far below your knees?

The kilts falls right at my knee. The camera height was nearly equal to the top of my hat. It's also possible that by the time this pic was taken, my kilt had fallen to, or slightly below my navel .

[The Wizard of BC]

One of the misunderstandings that many people encounter when measuring for a kilt is the tendency of some sellers to reference the navel in their instructions.

The navel is soft tissue and may be in a different place on different people.

What is a more accurate way is to reference the bones as they don't change.

Here is a photo that may help.

The top strap in this photo is at the anatomical waist. Where a kilt is worn.
The center strap is at the level of the navel on me and I am a fairly thin guy. The navel of a guy with a bit of a belly may be quite a bit lower than mine.
The lower strap is at the level of the waistband of my jeans.



So, in actuality we use the back of our body not the front at the navel.

Here is one of the photos from the 1 kilt-10 looks thread showing a good waist height, selvedge length at the top of the knee cap and sporran height.



And here is the same kilt from the back showing the bottom of the Fell without puckers or large shower curtain folds in the pleats.

[Cameron of Texas]

Here is one of the photos from the 1 kilt-10 looks thread showing a good waist height, selvedge length at the top of the knee cap and sporran height.

I plan on getting a belt soon and I may be able to upload a photo similar to this where the camera is undoubtedly much closer to the ground compared to my original photo.

[The Wizard of BC]

I understand that my posts may come across like I am criticizing or laying done rules. I'm sorry if I come across a bit harsh. I am just trying to help you look better.

Many new to the kilt do not understand the basics of how to wear a kilt. This is quite common.

But the facts remain. While it is your kilt and you may wear it any way you want, it will look better, swish better and present a better impression when worn the way it was designed to be worn.

The belt is totally decorative. It serves no other function than looks. The belt does not hold the kilt up. The kilt straps and buckles do that. There are no belt loops.

[Cameron of Texas]

I'm sorry if I come across a bit harsh...

Harsh? no.
Condescending? That's how it feels

Many new to the kilt do not understand the basics of how to wear a kilt. This is quite common.

That's why I've been spending the past several weeks reading all the posts I can on your message board to build a foundation of understanding, with the hope that those with a calculated eye will find me reasonably well kilted.

I'll proceed, hopeful that most people who see me in my kilt in won't be as prepared to scrutinize as yourself.