Physiometrics and standard lengths

[Carolina Kiltman]

Just a couple of comments: On a man, the waist is almost always at the naval. On a woman it is somewhat lower. This is pretty much a constant, with only very slight variations. (Don't ask my why, ask the designer!

In the Navy we used to have a joke about a pregnant woman and a 20 year Chief (Petty Officer, MSGT to you Army types) having the same figure problem.

If the kilt is made to fit you, then these measurements are critical. Since all the off the peg kilts are too short for me, I cannot say where the best place to wear them is, my guess is where they feel comfortable.

I agree it is easier to shorten a kilt than to lengthen one, at least until they get a Kilt Stretcher. So just wear it wherever it is comfortable. Just remember not to have the length below the middle of the kneecap. That just looks sloppy in my book.

[Tim Little]

Tim I just recieved a SWK Standard Weathered Mackenzie last week a made the adjustment to the length no problem.
There is a thin red line allmost four inches from the bottom that is red running over the other colors,so this is what i did.
From the inside,I turned the material under two inches to where it just barely covers the red line inside an pressed it all the way around.
Then I machine stitched through the red line on the outside( Using red thread that matched of course),and you cannot tell at all where the stitch is.
Turned out about 22 and a half inches long in length.

Cant do this on my other Mackenzie because the stitching would show in the white stripe.Been thinking of trying to hand sew it on the inside.

Great tip; thanks!

[Tommie]

Tim if you are shorting a SWK standard,make sure you press the fold on the inside not the out side.Will leave a shine on the material.

[Nanook]

Just a couple of comments: On a man, the waist is almost always at the naval.

I'm sorry but if you mean "natural waist" (the most narrow part of the torso) I must disagree. Its typically about 1" above the naval but can be much higher. The lower, of course, the hip/waist ratio the less "natural" the waist :-)

On a woman it is somewhat lower. This is pretty much a constant, with only very slight variations. (Don't ask my why, ask the designer!

Women are typically shorter and their waists are, in general, more narrow (women tend to be more pear shaped while men more apple formed but that's just "tend" and no hard rule) but their waistlines are not lower or higher--- nor their legs longer (its an aim of clothing design and fashion to create the impression of longer legs, shorter torso and smaller waist to signal youth and fertility).

If the kilt is made to fit you, then these measurements are critical. Since all the off the peg kilts are too short for me, I cannot say where the best place to wear them is, my guess is where they feel comfortable.

Where the kilt should sit is a design criteria. Some kilts are like common skirts designed to sit on the hips, others at the "natural waist" ("traditional") and still others right under the ribs ("army"). Traditional and army kilts need to fit tight and snug--- so snug that if you don't pull in your gut and hold your breath it should not be able to move by tugging.

Just remember not to have the length below the middle of the kneecap. That just looks sloppy in my book.

But again it can be a fashion statement. Have a look at some of the offering from TFCK including over the knee models--- the difference between women's and men's being, at best, the perception of "minimum length" for "modesty" (with men, of course, extending somewhat lower).

[Ian.MacAllan]

Tim if you are shorting a SWK standard,make sure you press the fold on the inside not the out side.Will leave a shine on the material.

Preventing shine is one of the reasons for using a pressing cloth.

.

[Sciuropterus]

Me too! I'd be all over a SWK Standard Weathered Mackenzie in 22" or 22.5". Jerry...?

SWK does custom lengths all the time, just not thru the website. You would need to contact SWK directly. Lots of Xmarkers have custom-length SWKs.

[TheKiltedCoder]

SWK does custom lengths all the time, just not thru the website. You would need to contact SWK directly. Lots of Xmarkers have custom-length SWKs.

Yep. I just got a SWK Black Watch heavyweight 22" long custom in the mail today!! (I know, I know. Pics may have to wait until tomorrow).

I was also able to get in touch with Jerry this morning, and I'll have a 22" long Macrae inbound at some point.

Note that the nonstandard length kilts are made when ordered, so you don't get the typical "received it before you ordered it" service that you typically get with Jerry. I just couldn't bring myself to hem up a kilting selvege on a 16 oz wool kilt.

Brian

[Tim Little]

SWK does custom lengths all the time, just not thru the website. You would need to contact SWK directly. Lots of Xmarkers have custom-length SWKs.

Very interesting.... I'll have to look into that.

[Cherub]

SWK does custom lengths all the time, just not thru the website. You would need to contact SWK directly. Lots of Xmarkers have custom-length SWKs.

I'll have to look in to that as well, what does he charge for the hemming?

[Ivy]

I'm 6'2"+, 230ish lbs, with a (somewhat) athletic build. My SWK Standard settles just below my navel on my natural hip, and hits just below the top of my kneecap. Couldn't ask for a better fit in an OTR garment!