highland warrior's kilt

[Martin S]

Just came across a receipt from Geoffrey (Tailor) ltd.
It has a picture of a well-armed warrior whose kilt leaves a good 6 inches of thigh below the "hem"-line.
:-O
Real men are not ashamed of showing their legs.

Martin (new member of PFLKT*)
;-)

* Popular Front for the Liberation of Knees & Thighs.

[caig]

We sometimes forget that, originally, highlanders wore their kilt much higher on the thigh than we do today. This was much better for running and walking through the heather.

[Martin]

At last weeks Highland games in Harpenden we enjoyed watching the Black Watch re-enacting battle scenes. The uniform they wore dated back to 1815, and several of the soldiers wore shorter length kilts.

Perhaps the lads in those days were a little more daring!

[M. A. C. Newsome]

All of the men in the Black Watch photo shown above seem to me to be wearing the kilt at the proper length. None seem too short. I'd much rather see a kilt that's a bit too short (I said a bit!), than too long.

When I'm outfitting someone I tell them that "acceptable" kilt length (judged by modern day Highland fashion standards) is anywhere from the middle of your kneecap at the lowest to one inch above the top of your kneecap at the highest. My personal preference is for no lower than the top of your knee. I think the kilt looks best when the whole knee is shown.

Yes, Highlanders in the past wore their kilts even shorter than this! However, a lot of men today are wearing their kilts much too long. I see a lot of gentleman around the Highland Games wearing their kilts at the bottom of the kneecap, or below the knee entirely.

It could possibly be that they were measured too long. (Some people remain convinced that "proper kilt length" is determined by measuring from your waist to the floor while kneeling, but this usually results in a kilt at least 2" too long). Or it could be that their kilts originally fit and "middle age spread" has forced them to wear their kilts on a lower and somewhat narrower part of their torso, causing the kilt to appear longer. I don't know.

But in any case, let's not be afraid to let our knees show! As I always tell people when measuring them -- if you aren't going to show off your knees, what's the point of wearing a kilt!

Just for fun, here's me showing some knee:


You have to peek under my Inverness Cape for this one!

[Tattoo Bradley]

That shot with the MacGregor under the cape came to mind before I scrolled down. I completely agree.

[Hamish]

Real men are not ashamed of showing their legs.

Martin (new member of PFLKT*)
;-)

* Popular Front for the Liberation of Knees & Thighs.

Where do I sign, Martin?

[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?

[Martin S]

... highlanders wore their kilt much higher on the thigh (...) much better for running and walking through the heather.

and also for cycling. I was certainly more comfortable in my home made shorty, than my friend in his regular knee-length when we went out to celebrate the long-awaited arrival of summer yesterday.

Martin

[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