Military Kilts

**guitarmatt** · 29th March 10, 12:31 AM

This question is for all of you who own and wear military kilts. Could you give me a few of your thoughts comparing wearing a military and a civilian kilt? Things like comfort, fit, length, how high is the waist really, that sort of thing. I ask because I'd like to have a kilt in Gordon and buying military surplus looks like a cheap way to get a good quality kilt.

Thoughts? And also, any recommendations for buying military surplus, where to look, what to look for? Thanks a lot.

**Downunder Kilt** · 29th March 10, 12:51 AM

Hi guitarmatter. I purchased a replica military kilt from "what price glory" and the wool in it is heavy. It has the typical 4" rise and does sit that high. If you have a 8 yard tank and it sits at your navel then imagine two inches above that. I enjoy wearing it in the middle of winter and tried it on a summers day which was 23C and found it too hot. Although the WPG one is ok, I would recommend a real ex MOD one as the wool in the wPG ones are from Pakistan (I think) and are not as good as worsted ones I have seen from the UK.

All the best in hunting one down

**longhuntr74** · 29th March 10, 03:44 AM

Matt...I don't have a military kilt...but as far as the vendor's question goes and keeping in line with Downunder's post...check out Bugpiper's stuff on ebay. He normally has quality MoD kilts from several regiments...BW, Gordon, RHF, etc...I've been drooling over his Royal Stewart kilts for some time now.

**OC Richard** · 29th March 10, 05:51 AM

Originally Posted by guitarmatt

This question is for all of you who own and wear military kilts. Could you give me a few of your thoughts comparing wearing a military and a civilian kilt? Things like comfort, fit, length, how high is the waist really, that sort of thing. I ask because I'd like to have a kilt in Gordon and buying military surplus looks like a cheap way to get a good quality kilt.

About comfort and fit, I suppose that would vary from kilt to kilt.

Yes they're high, usually 27" in length even if it was made for a shortish guy.

I've owned and worn actual vintage military kilts, and I tried on a What Price Glory kilt, and I have to say that the What Price Glory kilt could never be mistaken for a military kilt. The Indian tartan cloth is completely different in look and feel from Scottish tartan cloth.

Here's a Gordon Highlander and his kilt:

**guitarmatt** · 29th March 10, 07:43 AM

Looking around a bit I came across that 27 inch length measurement as well. I'm short waisted and tend to wear my kilt rather high anyway, but even overlapping my ribs a bit I wouldn't want a length much more than 24 inches. I know shortening a kilt is a big job, but I may look into it and see what's possible.

**Hothir Ethelnor** · 29th March 10, 08:05 AM

Actually hemming a kilt isn't all that difficult (a bit time consuming but not hard.)

**Nighthawk** · 29th March 10, 09:37 AM

Personally, I order all of my kilts with what on me would be a military rise, meaning I wear my kilts 2 inches above my navel. For my body shape- I'm a barrel with legs- it works out better when I sit down. Were I to wear my kilts at my navel, I would need 22 inches overall length, but I get 24. As to the fit and comfort, that's all very subjective. I find it to be rather uncomfortable having my bare rear in contact with the surface on which I'm sitting, so the higher rise is more comfortable for me. And frankly, when the wind kicks up during a Rocky Mountains winter, it's nice to be able to snug it down so that it hangs below my knees- keeps them warm!

**Arnot** · 29th March 10, 10:35 AM

I have both military and civilian kilts. As far as comfort goes, my civilian kilts are a bit more comfortable as they are made for me. The military ones are comfortable enough, though. The thing about mine is that they have military box pleats. This makes them feel a bit different to sit down in. Unless I am mistaken, the Gordon military kilts have knife pleats. I would think they would be quite good and not so thick for sitting down.

**Stravaiger** · 29th March 10, 01:48 PM

My MOD issue Black Watch is made of a much heavier & tighter woven wool than my standard kilts, which makes it much more rain resistant - so it's my usual coice of kilt on the hill outside of summer. The extra height is an advantage in colder weather since it keeps my kidneys nice & warm

The downside to the extra height is that the kilt does look a bit odd if it's not being won with a sweater of waistcoat to cover the high waist. Of the couple of MOD kilts that I've tried, both have had a quite different combination of waist/height measurements - I think that they may be tailored to the original issuee? It may make getting one that really fits well difficult.

**guitarmatt** · 29th March 10, 01:51 PM

Originally Posted by Stravaiger

My MOD issue Black Watch is made of a much heavier & tighter woven wool than my standard kilts, which makes it much more rain resistant - so it's my usual coice of kilt on the hill outside of summer. The extra height is an advantage in colder weather since it keeps my kidneys nice & warm

The downside to the extra height is that the kilt does look a bit odd if it's not being won with a sweater of waistcoat to cover the high waist. Of the couple of MOD kilts that I've tried, both have had a quite different combination of waist/height measurements - I think that they may be tailored to the original issuee? It may make getting one that really fits well difficult.

Good to know. If I decide to order from someone I'll ask them to take a tape measure to the particular kilt in question first.