highland warrior's kilt

[apack]

Matt, so what length kilt do you recommend for men of various heights? Is there a general rule of thumb for this? Or, to make it more personal, what would you recommend a guy who is 5' 11" tall with typical proportions (pant size 36"/32"), and with the kilt worn at the natural waist?

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Matt, so what length kilt do you recommend for men of various heights? Is there a general rule of thumb for this? Or, to make it more personal, what would you recommend a guy who is 5' 11" tall with typical proportions (pant size 36"/32"), and with the kilt worn at the natural waist?

There is a chart I used to have somewhere that gave what the "average" kilt length was for various height men. I don't think I have it any longer because I never really used it. Not all men are "average" and really there is no substitution for an individual measurement.

I'm 6'3" and my kilts are 24", which is a bit shorter than average for my height because I carry more of my height in my torso (rather than in my legs) than most men my height.

The average kilt length across the board is about 22.5". If you are 5'11" I'd say a 23" or 24" kilt would not be out of order, but that all depends on how you are built, and how long or short you want your kilt to be.

Matt

[Martin S]

Having seen how handsome Matthew looks in his knee-revealing kilts, I shall have no more hesitation about wearing mine.

Thanks for those photos, Matt !

Martin

[Riverkilt]

I'm in line to sign up too. KNEE FREEDOM!

Tell you what, wearing a kilt above the knee is just plain common sense. The kilts I have that are a tad longer - mid knee - "beat up" the back of my knees when I walk. Most noticeable on a hike, which is what our ancestors did a lot.

Ron

[MacWage]

Most (I think all) of my kilts are worn "at the top of the knee" to slightly higher.

Also, depictions of "highland warriors" in the days of the belted plaids depict the lengths as ANYWHERE between lower calf to mid-thigh. There were also contemporary complaints of highlanders showing immodesty by exposing themselves with their short kilts/belted plaids (The basis of my comments in the "mini-kilt" thread).

However, like it or not, we now are post-Victorian kilt "rules," SO there are ways things "are done" and "not done." One of these elements is the length of the kilt, which is usually mid-knee to just above the knee. No matter WHAT your opinions are, a kilt 6 inches above the knee WILL be considered "too short" by many, many people.

As much as I have aversion to many of the arbitrary "rules" used to kilts and kilting (inc. non-functional sporrans and a few other odd elements), the length one works pretty well for modern kilt-wearing in both utility and keeping modesty.

However, we should NEVER forget that things were NOT always the way they are now. In times past, kilts were worn doing things most people would be shocked at today. Before the re-legalizing and 1820-ish "romanticizing" of the kilt, they (kilts/philibegs and belted plaid) were seen as "rough" and more of a feral or savage image than most see kilts today.

We also live in a world of SHORTS cut VERY long too. Most just don't like kilts shorter than they wear their shorts.
Maybe, it tastes and mores change where men are again in shorter shorts, maybe shorter kilts will again become acceptable.

It is VERY interesting comparing and contrasting views, picts, and mores from various times and seeing similarities and STARK differences between then and today.
(Side note: many of the "puritan" notions are more Victorian than anything taught or believed by the Puritans themselves.)

Martin, THANKS for creating THIS thread. It has had interesting discussion and brought back memories. Most importantly, it has made me (and others) think.

[Perldog007]

I tend to wear mine too long. I like the idea of just above the knee, but my right knee has some pretty scary damage. Tend to be a bit self concious about that.

[pdcorlis]

Put me down for the top of the knee I think that looks and feels great. Too much shorter and I'm afraid I'd feel like a member of the girls field hockey team - what you choose is of course entirely your business.

Thanks for the topic!

[Mr. MacDougall]

When I was young and strongly muscled, I shared a berthing compartment with other young and strongly muscled lads. I remember a discussion one day, when one of my shipmates came out of the shower with a towel wrapped around his middle, about the fact that most of us rescue swimmers had better legs than most girls who wore short skirts, and what a shame it was that society didn't let us show them off.

Now I'm old and fat... but I still have nice legs. I don't mind showing a little more of them.

[Ozman1944]

The idea of men wearing kilts like their shorts is probably true. I've always worn 'shorter' shorts - 6" inseam-I reckon those ugly, baggy long Cargo things worn now defeat the whole purpoise of staying cool. So my Kilts are always at the top of the knee. ( Like Mr.Mac Dougal, I might be older & fatter, but I still have cute legs-ahem!- so don't mind showing them off, it distracts from the aging face). If undies are worn, a REALLY short "kilt" shouldn't be a problem, but beware of leather car seats in summer.....or lay a towell on the seat.

[Ozman1944]

PS. The Avtar pic was an exception to give a more 'Formal' look.