Interesting letter

[Na Heilthirich]

Good to find support from a fellow newbie, DP.

Alan H. I'm all for independent spirits, but it should be noted for the more rotund kilties that the wider you get, the wider the aperture at the bottom of the kilt relative to its' length. You then don't need to go many half-inches above the knee to be at risk of a serious loss of decorum or worse, arrest for indecent exposure!

[heilanner]

... the lion's share of the blame rests with the so called experts who measure customers and insist that the correct length is mid-knee.

I find a kilt that is too long chafes and rubs at the back of the knee, especially if one is shooting or hiking.

i have three kilts, all made-to-measure by a great kiltmaker in Aberdeen (Georgian Dress Hire) and they are all designed to be worn mid-knee. in fact, to ensure this and to make the fit comfortable, my kilts are 26" drop at the front and 27" at the back.

kilts i have hired from other suppliers (Phillip King and Scotts) were also long enough to be worn mid-knee.



to me though, when i see people with kilts at the top of the knee or higher i think it looks far too short and that they are not wearing it right.

[Dall_Piobaire]

Good to find support from a fellow newbie, DP.

Alan H. I'm all for independent spirits, but it should be noted for the more rotund kilties that the wider you get, the wider the aperture at the bottom of the kilt relative to its' length. You then don't need to go many half-inches above the knee to be at risk of a serious loss of decorum or worse, arrest for indecent exposure!

When you're right you're right! My pleasure to support the cause. I was told if you are going to wear the Plaide wear it properly and proudly.

Not a thing against anyone else's opinion or view, just what I was taught.

[sharpdressedscot]

As when I wear my shorts, I try not to show the knees. Just a personal preference, I personally don't like it short.

[Alan H]

I originally found 3 pictures of "gentlemen" from the 1920's, and put these photographs into this thread. I was going to point out differences in collars, jackets, pants lengths, shirts and so on....

... you know, I remember my father telling me about shirts with detachable collars. I remember reading funny stories by Robert Benchley (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Benchley) written in the 1920's which included bits about how tacky a PAPER DETACHABLE COLLAR was, and how a real gentleman would wear a starched linen collar of course.

And so, obviously, since I have never worn a detchable collar of any sort in my entire life, I must be a "trollop".

Anyway, I deleted the pictures and I'm writing this, instead.

The truth is that this argument is never going to end. Some guys figure that if something isn't worn in the manner it was worn in 1910, then it's grossly flaunting all tradition and an insult to everything Scotland is, was or will be. Some guys figure 1920 is too early, no, it must be worn the way it was done in 1850, or it's an insult and an abomination and those who do not comply are trollops.

Other people feel that the fashion changes, and while it makes sense to adhere to common sense, being bound to older styles is not important. Some guys just want to buckle on whatever, and go raise hell in it.


Honestly, personally, for me... the never-ending argument is just plain getting tiresome and dumb.

[Alan H]

Mind you, learning about how people have worn the garment at various times...that is of interest to me. You bet!.

But the never-ending squabbling about "what's correct" and how awful it is that things have not stayed the same versus complaining about the old fuddy-duddies....is...... *sighing*..

getting old.

[bigdad1]

Alan I couldn't agree with you more. These arguments about how something was worn or is worn or should be worn are endless, tiresome and meaningless. It is my not so humble opinion that within reasonable limitations what I wear, in what combination I wear it and where I wear it is my choice and mine alone. I really don't give a rat if you don't like my t-shirt and jeans or kilt and golf shirt. I look in the mirror to see if I am pleased and ask my love if she is pleased. I don't post a photo on line and ask if the forum is pleased.
Rant over.

[Jock Scot]

Alan I couldn't agree with you more. These arguments about how something was worn or is worn or should be worn are endless, tiresome and meaningless. It is my not so humble opinion that within reasonable limitations what I wear, in what combination I wear it and where I wear it is my choice and mine alone. I really don't give a rat if you don't like my t-shirt and jeans or kilt and golf shirt. I look in the mirror to see if I am pleased and ask my love if she is pleased. I don't post a photo on line and ask if the forum is pleased.
Rant over.

Alright then bigdad, you are a plain speaking man and I respect that,I also respect that you have every right to hold the opinions that you do. May I ask you a straight question? Do you have no thought at all of how you wear some one's national dress? I am very interested in your reply, however it comes!

[The Guy in the Kilt at UC]

Jock forgive me if already mentioned, but out of curiosity, and as acknowledged resident traditional expert, at what length do you wear your kilt. Might I add that of many pictures I've seen kilted highland regiments that they don't neccasarily follow this rule, again it could be camera angle. For the record I had my Newsome fall to above the knee and I to enjoy it that way.

Now the one picture I have seen of our resident expert has had his kilt at just above the top of the knee. Very nice picture by the way, Jock.

Anyways, that's how I like to wear my kilts. I'll take my cues from Jock on this one.

[Jock Scot]

Now the one picture I have seen of our resident expert has had his kilt at just above the top of the knee. Very nice picture by the way, Jock.

Anyways, that's how I like to wear my kilts. I'll take my cues from Jock on this one.

Come come chaps, "resident" is accurate and I will go along with that, but "expert" is overstating things more than a wee tad!

I am not actually sure if I answered the question! I wear my kilt so that it brushes the top of my knee. I think in my oft used picture the camera angle is a bit deceiving, also I had just returned from a fair stroll and the kilt may have slipped down(as they do) a tad. Don't forget that the pictures of the "highlanders at war" type thing, that they may have marched twenty miles or so before the picture was taken, even the best kilt in the world can "sink" a tad in those and similar circumstances.