Wearing the kilt...

[M. A. C. Newsome]

most of the folks i see wearing one use a belt to control the billowing folds. i leave them blowing to have their use as pockets for bulky items that won't fit in a sporran. less than six yards would leave me without those useful pouches.

Oh, I don't know about that. Mine is just over 4 yards and I am able to arrange it to give me pouches a'plenty!

I've seen speculation that the feilidh-mhor could be anywhere from 3 to 6 yards in length (and certainly there was no "standard" length -- people likely used what they had). However, since all the earliest tailored kilts we know of contained around 4 yards, and these were the direct development out of the feilidh-beag, which was just the lower half of the feilidh-mhor, I have to assume 4 yards was the average length for those, as well.

M

[RossCroft]

Oh, I don't know about that. Mine is just over 4 yards and I am able to arrange it to give me pouches a'plenty!

I've seen speculation that the feilidh-mhor could be anywhere from 3 to 6 yards in length (and certainly there was no "standard" length -- people likely used what they had). However, since all the earliest tailored kilts we know of contained around 4 yards, and these were the direct development out of the feilidh-beag, which was just the lower half of the feilidh-mhor, I have to assume 4 yards was the average length for those, as well.

M

you're probably right, six yards is just my preference for the great kilt. then again, i have more money to spend than the average highlander did 400+ years ago. (don't we all!) there's probably always going to be disagreement on what was actually used and when, but i appreciate your postings. they're obviously based on research and as one who tries to be historically accurate i think that is important. when we're at games our guild tries to educate people on highland life and ways and accuracy is critical. thanks.

[way2fractious]

RossCroft, it was good to meet you at the Livermore Games last weekend. I see from the above exchanges that you now have met Matt, at least online here at XMarks.

As for me wearing the great kilt, I have only experimented with donning one at home (except for one Halloween Beer Night. Dearie me!) Making and wearing the tailored "little kilt" suits me better; otherwise, I'd have to start all over collecting the pieces of an appropriate outfit.

w2f