Whats the right lengh for a UK

**binx** · 29th May 05, 05:38 PM

My demin and postal blue UK trads are above the knee. But I have found my just-below-the-knee Mocker to be more appropriate for wearing at work. It still reveals the knee while walking and sitting, and has more of a swing to it.

binx

**Yaish** · 29th May 05, 11:35 PM

I'll just say Hamish, that having sold approximately 500 UK's myself in the last year most American men dont wear them anywhere near midcalf.

I think I may have sold less than a dozen that length total, and most were to younger boys who had quite a bit of growing to do and didnt want it to be too short in 6 months. (ever see a 16 year old grow?!)

By far most guys who buy a Utilikilt get them to fit somewhere between the top of the kneecap and the bottom of the kneecap. Rarely they will choose a bit longer or a bit shorter, but almost never more than an inch above or below.

**Daneel** · 30th May 05, 03:45 PM

The reason I asked the question was based on photos of guys wearing the UK in what I thought to be a very long size, and like Hamish thought they looked much to "Skirty", Needless to say, I mean no offence to anyone who preferes them long.

**Hamish** · 31st May 05, 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by Daneel

The reason I asked the question was based on photos of guys wearing the UK in what I thought to be a very long size, and like Hamish thought they looked much to "Skirty", Needless to say, I mean no offence to anyone who preferes them long.

Nor do I of course, Daneel and Yaish. My comment was based purely on my experiences when touring the USA two years ago, with what I saw at the Utilikilts 3rd Anniversary Party outside of Seattle and from the photographs that appear in the Utilikilts albums and other kilting websites.

OK "mid-calf" might be a slight exaggeration, although I have certainly seen Utilikilts being worn that long over there. A couple of inches below the knee is much more commonly seen. Personally, I think any kilt worn below the knee has a tendency to look 'skirty', especially when it covers the top of the hose. That's just my opinion.

**James** · 31st May 05, 11:55 PM

I quite agree with Hamish regarding length-top of the kneecap gives that bit of dash and style that is a part of wearing the kilt. Rather than the sloppy appearance of an over long kilt.

There is however another point-what will you be wearing the kilt for: casual wear etc the length as above fine. But if for hill walking/out in all weathers etc-then I'd suggest a shorter kilt-with a least a good inch between the top of the kneecap and the hem.

Why?

It makes the stride/crossing obstacles easier-and cuts down the battering/chafing which a wet kilt can inflict if too long.

Too I can assure you that such a length is no more immodest than any other kilt-nor does it give rise to such problems.

James

**KiltedBishop** · 1st June 05, 09:56 AM

well I am one of those americans who wears his UK a little "skirty" LOL. I wear mine about a half an inch below my knee. Now before everyone jumps on me I do have a reason. first off I just enjoy the feel of it and second I have HUGE legs, so huge I can't get hose or socks much over the bottom part of my calf so regardless I show a lot of leg. But it's just what is comforable to me, also my knees are not what I would consider worthy of being shared. Perhaps once I have been in the UK a while and started my hking and walking I will "bring the hem up" a little.

**Yaish** · 1st June 05, 07:34 PM

I dont like the look of either a kilt too high above the knee or below the knee. Sure there are arguments for both, and for guys who tell me they want to do a lot of hiking in their kilts I tell them go shorter, above the knee for the reasons James mentioned.

I also wanted to point out that wearing a UK anywhere around midcalf or even much below the knee at all is an exception, rather than the rule. By far the majority of the Utilikilts I see are somewhere on the kneecap, either near the top, the middle or the bottom. Its more rare to see it either well above or below, especially more than an inch either way.

I'd also like to point out that looking 'skirty' is a cultural value, not an absolute. Here in the US its the short kilts that look 'skirty', more so than the long ones. For a guy to wear a kilt here anything more than an inch above the knee would get him lots of looks, and probably more than a few comments. In fact when we DO sell utilikilts anywhere near that length it is almost always at a gay pride event and the wearer only intends to wear it to clubs and fetish parties.

Kilts that are overlong just look stupid IMO.