Democracy and patternmaking- the Inverness Cape

**kevinkinney** · 24th April 07, 11:50 AM

Hello kilted masses,

Would you help me solve a problem? My wife and I do not agree on the length of an Inverness Cape. Each of us has produced several examples in print and on the internet to support our choice. I prefer the knee length, and she favors a longer cut that reaches the calves.

I've agreed to abide by the forum consensus before committing to a new pattern.

Cheers,

Kevin.

**Panache** · 24th April 07, 11:54 AM

Kevin,

Welcome to the forum.

The purpose of such a cape is to protect your fine kilted outfit from the elements. Therefore it would make sense that the cape be longer than your kilt.

Cheers

Jamie

**McMurdo** · 24th April 07, 12:00 PM

As I understand it longer is better.

**Dreadbelly** · 24th April 07, 12:04 PM

Longer is better to take in to account things like wind. If your cape is right at kilt level, when the wind and rain hits, and a gust raises it a few inches, kilt becomes exposed.

So longer is always better. I've seen a few at ankle length. Probably keep your legs and hose dry, but it seems cumbersome to wear.

**cavscout** · 24th April 07, 12:15 PM

I said reach the calve as I believe you would also want some protection between the kilt selvedge and the hose top. But not so long as to reach the flashes on the leg. So in my case, if the kilt stops at the top of the knee, the knee cap is about 3.5 - 4" , the hose cuff starts about 3" below the knee cap and is about 3" down to the bottom where the flashes are now visible...I'd say the bottom of the cape should fall about 6" below the top of the knee.

$.02

**GMan** · 24th April 07, 12:46 PM

As far as length, what everyone else said.

Yet I want to say WELCOME

**LK-13** · 24th April 07, 01:58 PM

of course,
just brushing the ground is always cool......

**Nick** · 24th April 07, 02:06 PM

Welcome to the forum!

In my opinion, the cape should be just longer than your kilt. There's nothing wrong with longer, but I like the shorter looks.

Of course, with a greatcoat, the longer the better, but that's a whole 'nother animal.

**thescot** · 24th April 07, 02:06 PM

I doubt that anyone would care if the thing stopped at the knee, but for protection, . . . well, see above.

On the other hand, I'm impressed that you can afford one of them suckers! I want one, too, but the price is a little too much for me so far. At least until I score another couple of kilts that I'd like to have.

**PiobBear** · 24th April 07, 02:07 PM

I just donned mine...the hem comes to 9" below the bottom of my kneecap; the cape almost to my fingertips. I can assure you it wouldn't work nearly as well if it or the cape were any shorter.

(BTW, I sent you an email with some patterns & design details. Best of luck, and post pictures of the finished product!)