Interesting letter

[Dall_Piobaire]

I have heard it said that it is just the matter of an inch or so that shows you as a conservative, or more liberal dresser. Middle of the kneecap your conservative, top of the kneecap your more the trendsetter.

Now I have read that in much earlier times, when one took a knee, the kilt should just brush the calf. My grandfather told me that when on your knees it should just be about to touch the floor!

[Stratherrick]

First of all, what a lovely figure you cut, Jock! Very distinguished.

Well, all I can say on the kilt/knee debate is that the chap in Hector Russell's in Edinburgh who measured me up, having spent four hours discussing all matters kilted, said it was to fall mid-knee.

Now, maybe this is just the modern fashion. All I know is that it looks about right, in the way that an inch above or below the knee looks decidedly odd.

I get more uppity about folks who tie their ghillie brogue laces at the front instead of the side! Now THERE'S a discussion worth getting into!

Slainte

Bruce

[DWFII]

This is where tradition and history serves us best, as it helps to identify what is personal idiosyncrasy and what is tradition or convention.

Look at the wealth of vintage photos in the Show Us Your Pics Forum. With the notable exception of Edward the IIV, it seems to me that most of the kilts are being worn at the top of the knee cap...and the hose worn an inch or so below the bottom of knee cap.

[Standard]

Very interesting thread, thanks for reviving it. I too wear my kilt at the top of the knee to about an inch above. When I first started wearing the kilt the second measurement felt way too short, however it now feels proper on my leg.

I think that issue of length (IMHO) depends on several parts:
1. Not many wear the kilt as a day to day garment and therefor have relatively no idea how it should be worn, much the same as if I were to go white tie to an event. While I'd certainly try to wear my apparel in the proper manner I'd most certainly get some things not quite correct due to lack of education on the subject.
2. The waist of trousers these days are worn MUCH lower than they were historically, or even 20 years ago, and chaps are trying to wear their kilts where their trousers feel comfortable. This in turn puts the hem of the kilt much too low.
3. Since the kilt is not their normal mode of dress many tend to feel pretty selfconscious about showing any leg at all.

Anyhoo, just my observations. It is interesting to look at all the vintage photos and notice a difference of length, all be it within a "standard" range. Remember that in the military, unlike in civilian wear, things are much more regulated with the intent of uniformity versus personal choice.

:ootd:

[gilmore]

I try to wear the kilt at mid knee or at the top of the kneecap. However, I got a kilt on EBay in an appropriate but unusual tartan, and when it arrived was surprised to find that it is a good two inches about the knee. It's length is the most comfortable one of all of my kilts. Shorter is better.

[JRB]

I wear my kilts at the top of my knee and am very aware if they slip down during the course of the day. I find there is a noticeable comfort advantage in wearing my kilt at the top of my knee versus wearing my kilt over my knee. Consequently, on a hot day after I've been walking around I do a fair amount of kilt hoisting. I find that my kilt slips down a lot less in cold weather.

[Pleater]

Having been out in all weathers in my kilts recently, during a week away from home, I found when wearing a wet kilt you have to have it above the kneecap to get the best protection from the wind but not get pleats caught in the bend of the knee.

A wet kilt is surprisngly insulating - it is heavy and windproof, and it will dry out fairly quickly once the rain stops.

Although I took a longer length kilt I only wore it towards the end of the week when the weather improved.

I suspect that longer kilts are for fair weather and indoor wearing.

I did have a rain cape - but the rain was coming upwards off the pavements and splashing mud off the grass, and the wind blew it every which way.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[Kilt TN]

I wear mine to the top of the knee cap and no lower. Having noticed that when I wear a kilt that is below the top of my knee cap it doesn’t naturally fall between my legs when I sit down, but has to be pushed down in order to retain the mystery of what’s worn under a kilt. If it is fitted to the top of my knee cap I don’t have a problem, and I just have to worry about sitting on the pleats wrong.