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[DWFII]

I just finished So You're Going to Wear the Kilt.

The author advises that the proper way to wear the kilt is above the kneecap and maybe even an inch or so above the knee cap. In fact, he literally dismisses the technique of kneeling and measuring yourself from the floor to the navel.

I wonder what others who are serious about wearing the kilt in formal and daywear settings have to say about this and why most kilt sources still use the floor to naval method.

[ChattanCat]

As a kiltmaker, I prefer the middle to top of the knee cap. Now, it is whatever the customer wants! ]
Cheers,
CC

[Macman]

My grandfather (and by extension my dad) swore by the kneeling method. I think that this method generally results in too long a kilt. Also, we all have different knees, so I don't think it will always result in an accurate measurement. The best way is to have someone measure you from where you want the top to be to where you want the bottom edge to be. You will get lots of discussion on where people want the top to start and the bottom to end!
My own opinion (and it is just that, an opinion that applies to traditional kilts only) is that if you measure from your navel to the floor while kneeling, you will have a kilt that sits too low around your body and hangs too low on your knees.

[ChattanCat]

My grandfather (and by extension my dad) swore by the kneeling method. I think that this method generally results in too long a kilt. Also, we all have different knees, so I don't think it will always result in an accurate measurement. The best way is to have someone measure you from where you want the top to be to where you want the bottom edge to be. You will get lots of discussion on where people want the top to start and the bottom to end!
My own opinion (and it is just that, an opinion that applies to traditional kilts only) is that if you measure from your navel to the floor while kneeling, you will have a kilt that sits too low around your body and hangs too low on your knees.

While this may be true, there is a rise above the navel, ~2 inches. So the real drop is from the navel to the top (or middle) of the knee to the navel. You then add 2" to the kilt to get the total length.
CC

[James MacMillan]

I wear my kilts at the top of the knee, not because that's what the fashion police say, but because if I wear them lower, I don't like the way that they hit the back of my legs when I walk. If that makes me right in the eyes of the fashion police, then OK.

I never tried the kneeling to measure system. My first kilt was re-tailored by the women folk, and I have taken measurements from that one to transfer to others, and then augmented that by having somebody measure me. Marks on walls or doorframes also help.

[beloitpiper]

I like mine right in the middle of my knee. But I measure kneeling down anyway, because I like them a bit above my navel too...

[berserkbishop]

I have found that I like my kilts to fall at the top of my knee. Dont really have a reason for this, but it is what I am most comfortable with. That being said, I have some that are mid-knee including my new Cunningham tank that I am infatuated with. I have measured by both methods, and really didnt find much difference in numbers.

BB

[SteveB]

I like my kilts at the top of the knee. I use the recommended method of measure by the kilt maker. Although that is the floor to kilt waist measure whilst kneeling for some, the kilt has come out perfectly every time. One kiltmaker I have used, automatically adjusts the measurements to how the kilt is to be made. He prefers the floor measurement, when by web or mail order, as that takes out many possible variables in where the tape lands. From that he adds about two inches to the measurement to get the total length and sews the fell so that it sits about 1-1/2 inches higher. Thus the kilt winds up at the top of the knee. In person he can measure exactly to the way it should land.
The best rule is to follow the kilt makers instructions. It has worked for me every time.

[Andrew Breecher]

My traditional kilts hit the tops of my knees. My modern kilts are halfway down my kneecaps. I definitely recommend the tops of the knees for a traditional kilt.

Andrew.

[The Wizard of BC]

The kneel on the floor method is the old Traditional way of measuring. But what you are not seeing is the adjustments to those measurements that the kiltmaker then added and subtracted.
Remember that a Traditional Style Kilt is not worn with the waistband at the naval. It is worn with the center of the top straps cinched into the natural waist. On an average male the natural waist is about 1" to 1 1/2" above the naval. The kilt then has two inches of rise above the top straps.
So, if the length from floor to naval is used and then the kilt is actually worn at the natural waist this raises the hem to just above the top of the kneecap.

The reason the naval to floor while kneeling system works is because those kiltmakers had not watched my video.

They had a system that worked for them and it produced a kilt that was designed to be worn at the natural waist with the hem at the top of the knee.

Remember this method is "Old School" There were lots of little rules and tricks that only the kiltmakers knew or cared about. Each trade had it's own language and standards and rules. These were the "tricks of the trade".

Just because they measured all the way to the floor does not mean that the kilt would reach to the floor when worn. But the floor is a pretty good "O" or reference point from which to work.