Kilts Worn at Long Length

[Jock Scot]

Perhaps a kind and alert mod. may help to bring an old thread of mine onto here----I don't know how to do it-----. Failing that, have a look at "an interesting letter" in my old threads----it may give you all some food for thought.

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EDIT:

Here is the link to your old thread, I hope this helps

I am obliged to you McMurdo.

[Highlander31]

I wear my kilts a little above mid knee.

I am not sure which is worse, a kilt worn too long, or one that is too short.

[MACKAY]

...As far as I'm concerned, the target is the knee. As long as it's not above or below, it's good enough.Personally, I prefer mid knee with most of my kilts ...

I have to agree. In all the years I have worn a kilt, or been exposed to those wearing a kilt, the mid knee (or just slightly higher) seems more natural, comfortable, and better looking in my opinion. I cringe when I see photos of traditional kilts worn like a pair of baggy pants (trousers).

As far as the Utilikilt, I personally wear them at the same length as my traditionals. But, the Utilikilt is its own fashion statement, and it was originally designed by Steve to drop just below the knee. For those of you who remember the original UK web site, the photo of Steve in his monster boots clearly showed the UK hanging just below the knee. If the designer wore it that way, then it is a good assumption that it would be sold that way.

Brian

[Pleater]

Wearing a kilt where the lower edge hits the crease of your knee is the worst of all lengths if you are out in the weather we have around here - it is not severe most of the year, but it can be wet.

With the wind blowing on your back climbing a hill or going over rough ground the wet cloth is caught at every step and it takes only a little while for the affected skin to feel that it has ben sandpapered.

I was away on holiday at a folk festival at the beginning of August, and saw eight kilts. They were all worn long, so that with hose there was either no or hardly any visible skin. Even the Exeter pipes and drums.

All my kilts are worn shorter, and even on my rather dumpy shape I couldn't help but survey the effect in the many large plate glass windows in the town centre.

Maybe they are shy.

I went for a cup of tea at the Rugby Club one morning and a young man came out of the showers wearing only a black kilt - and as he noticed that I was wearing my own eight yards of darkness I winked at him.

He blushed pink all over.

Well - I assume that as it started at his ankles and appeared above the waistband and continued on up, that parts I did not check on were also involved.

Maybe it was a hot shower.

Anne the Pleater

[JakobT]

I wear my ordinary kilts mid-knee, but I think the UK looks much better at the bottom of the knee, where it's designed to sit.

[arrogcow]

My first kilt (tank) was measured for me by a kilt maker in the shop of Thomas Gordon and Sons in Glasgow. It falls (when worn properly at the right hight) to right at the bottom of my knee, and is the longest kilt I own.

When ever I have sold UK's I always said middle of the knee or shorter, but that it also depended on what the customer wanted. Many opted for slightly longer. Why, because the bottom of the knee is where most shorts these days also hit, and guys are comfortable with that length.

Adam

[george7]

Perhaps kilts are better too long than too short. Best at proper length, but better not too short.

[Cassidy]

I wear mine pretty traditionally for a couple of reasons. One, I think a kilt looks better when you can see a good amount of the knee. Two, it's only comfortable to strap the thing on ABOVE my love handles, which is slightly above my navel.

The only downside is that being 6'2", it tends to ride up quite a lot when I sit down, even with a firm sweep.

[george7]

To clarify, I do wear my kilts between mid-knee and top of the knee. I'd just prefer to see a dude wear his kilt lower than showing off his quads. As for ladies kilts...

[Colin]

I’m six-foot tall so in a traditional kilt design 24” length is fine.
But for hot summer nights particularly, my casual kilts are comfortable at 22.5" (Sport Kilt) or 23” (Celtic Croft Homespun) or even 22” (AmeriKilts that I wear at jeans waist.)

There is no traditional kilt length standard in inches, but rather a guide on where the kilt should fall on your leg when it is made. Traditional kilts are made to measure and that includes the length. For me it has always been top of the knee. I find if I measure to the top of the knee, it sits comfortably right below the top and before mid.

We see more kilts that are too long because people are buying off the rack kilts that only come in standard sizes. Unless you are made the same as the design model these kilts will never fit like a made to measure kilt and that is why they sit too long on most people. Well that and that they are being worn on the hips and not on the waist.