Contemporary kilt length, a minority report

[McElmurry]

The last several threads on the subject of kilt length quickly reached consensus. The agreed length being a bit above the top of the knee to no lower than mid knee. What I would like to know is how many folks wear their kilt covering the knee cap at least part of the time. If you do, how far below the knee do you wear it and what are your reasons for doing so. Pictures are encouraged.

[mookien]

I never do deliberately, liking the kilt to fall within the range you described. Occasionally, I'll look down and think, "Oops" and then hoist up my kilt a bit, ... just like I do with pants when I sense the dreaded plumber's crack.

[Big Mikey]

I wear my contemporary casuals just below the knee. Why? Because if I forget and bend at the waist young children and women don't run in terror and............................................

BECAUSE IT'S WHAT I BLOODY LIKE!!

[knotty]

I like my hem to sit at mid knee. If Im at Scout Camp like it at the bottom, for the same reason Big Mikey described.
My understanding has always been anywhere around the knee is acceptable.

[The Wizard of BC]

I think a lot has to do with the type and style of kilt you have and what you plan to do in your kilt.

If you are wearing a Utilikilt it is acceptable to wear it very low on the hips and have the hem well below the knee. That is how it was designed to be worn.
If you are speaking of a true Contemporary Style kilt you probably will want to wear it a bit higher on the knee. They are designed to be worn more like a traditional kilt.

One caution. If you are hiking or walking any distance I strongly suggest you keep the hem no lower than the middle of the kneecap. All those pleats swishing against the back of your calves has been known to chafe right thru the skin and draw blood!

[lukeyrobertson]

Yes, I wear both my Rkilts a bit longer... not past the knee but mid to lower part of the knee. There's something about the "line" of this particular style that looks good with a longer length. Mind you, my tartan clan kilts are mid-knee to top of knee. It's all about style and tradition, I suppose. To the bottom of the knee-cap is as low as I feel comfortable going, though. Beyond that, it's all about what Steve said in the above post re; ..."swishing against the back of your calves".

[Rob, ClanMacMillan, NM]

I never do deliberately, liking the kilt to fall within the range you described. Occasionally, I'll look down and think, "Oops" and then hoist up my kilt a bit, ... just like I do with pants when I sense the dreaded plumber's crack.

What he said.

Rob.

[Friday]

It is my understanding that the "proper" place for the kilt hem has moved up and down over the ages.

I prefer my hem to be at or below the center of the knee. I know that I run afoul of the kilt police with this, but, with my body design I believe that there is less chance of unexpectedly answering the "question" this way.

[Rob, ClanMacMillan, NM]

Somewhere else in these forums I learned:

If you wear it above the knee, you're a child.
If you wear it at the knee, you're a man.
If you wear it below the knee, you're a liar.



Rob.

[New World Czech]

I was leaving the VA Highland Games this past weekend and this fellow passed me wearing a black AmeriKilt, black ghillie shirt and black boots. I was amazed at the length or lack of length. It appeared that the kilt was riding on his hips but the bottom looked to be a little below mid thigh. I also noticed that the Athletics MC seemed to have on a kilted skirt because it hung well below the knees, the strap was on the left and the strap was extended with only about 9" of apron lap. You never know what you will see at the games.