Confused About Measuring.

[Frank MacDuffy]

I'm confused, when measuring the length for a kilt, should I measure to just ABOVE the knee or HALFWAY down the knee? The difference isn't much, but... I'm just not sure. Help?

[Canuck]

I'm confused, when measuring the length for a kilt, should I measure to just ABOVE the knee or HALFWAY down the knee? The difference isn't much, but... I'm just not sure. Help?

What kind of kilt are you measuring for?
Get someone to help you. Kneel on the floor measure from the waistband of your current garment to the floor along the side of your body. Generally that will give you a kilt breaking the middle of the knee. Some like to subtract an inch for a traditional look. Also depending where you want it to sit on your actual waist you will have to add a rise (about 2")

[Frank MacDuffy]

I'm measuring for a USAK semi trad and a standard 8 yard from scottishkilts.net

[Canadian_Kilt]

I did basically what canuck did. Get someone to help you. I measured from my navel to the floor and got 24". I just got my SWK, which is 24", and the length is perfect - could even be a bit lower.

[The Wizard of BC]

You should direct this question to the person who will actually be making your kilt.
A simple phone call or check on the kiltmakers website should give you the answer you are looking for.
Each kiltmaker uses a slightly different method for measuring, so go with what they say even if it means sending two different measurements to each maker.

And be sure you tell the kiltmaker how and where you took the measurements.
You may want the waist on your kilt to be up at traditional height(covering the short ribs), at mid-rise, and even hip-hugger or low rise. Your kiltmaker needs to know this.


For example; Some kiltmakers measure for the waist at the top of the crest of the hipbone and them add 1" to find the natural waist and then 2 more inches for the rise. (This is for a Traditional fit kilt.)
Another kiltmaker may use the naval to find the natural waist.

For the hem, some have you kneel and then subtract to get the kilt to hit at the top of the knee, and some ask you to take the measurement where you actually want the hem to hit.

Then there are us Contemporary Kiltmakers who throw all the rules out the window and measure where ever you tell us to.

So the best advice is, TALK TO YOUR KILTMAKER! And use their system.

[RockyR]

For our Semi Trad, measure your waist at the TOP of where you'd like the kilt to sit. Generally, this is about 1 to 2 inches above your naval.

For the hips, measure around the widest part of your butt. This measurement can be a little loose as your hips expand a little bit when you sit.

For the length... this one's a bit tricky and it's BETTER to have a second person measure you, but not necessary. If you have someone to help: Stand up straight with a pair of shorts on. Have them meausre down the SIDE of your body (your hips tilt forward and the side of the body the the "average" of the front and back). The TOP of the tape measure should be at the same level where you measured your waist from (1 - 2" above naval). Measure from that point to the middle (or top if you prefer) of the knee. That's the LENGTH measurement.

If you're on your own, it's still possible. Kneel down on BOTH knees. Down the side of your body, put the "0" end of the tape measure on the floor (JUST touching). Measure up the side of your body to the spot where you measured your waist measurement. Mark it with your finger on the tape measure and pull it up and read it. If you'd like the kilt to fall at the TOP of the knee, subtract an inch from this measurement.

As a "dummy guide", here are average heights and lengths...

6' - 24" length
5'9" - 23" Length
6'3"- 25" Length

Basically, the OVERALL length of a Semi Traditional, 5 yard wool, or Premier kilt should be 1/3 of your body height... If you're 6' tall (72"), divide it by 3 and you get your kilt length if you are of "average proportions".

If you're STILL having problems, give us (or the other kiltmaker for another kilt) a call and we'd be happy to walk you through the process!

Hope this helps!

[Frank MacDuffy]

Strange, I'm 5'10" and my measurements are for a 25" length! I hope I'm not messing that up, I've retaken my measurements over and over and over...

[The Wizard of BC]

Can you post a photo of yourself?

[RockyR]

Strange, I'm 5'10" and my measurements are for a 25" length! I hope I'm not messing that up, I've retaken my measurements over and over and over...

If you have very long legs (femur bones) or a high natural waist, that may account for it. However, I do think it's a bit long. I'm 5'11" and my length is 23.5". I would suggest not going longer than 24" or it the kilt may:

A. end up hanging below the knee
B. end up having to sit VERY high waisted at the top, making your torso appear short.

[Frank MacDuffy]

I'll try to post a pic later on today (emphasis on "try", I'm the college student who can't figure out computers, I know, in this day and age I'm doomed. Fallback plan, move to South Uist and start a farm!).