How low is the waistcoat supposed to fall?

[Fit2BKilted]

I have an off-the-rack waistcoat, that I feel needs to be altered slightly... It's how much that I'm unsure of...

I like to wear my sporran somewhat higher (top edge above the pubic bone), and I presume that the waistcoat should not fall low enough to touch it; but, is the guideline anchored elsewhere, say relative to the waistline of the man or the top edge of the kilt? Do I just have to lower the altitude of my purse relative to the length of my vest?

[SoulFyre777]

Ya know, I'm in the same predicament! I'm interested to see what the rabble come back with.... I'll just wait here..... *grabs a bucket of popcorn and relaxes*

[Fit2BKilted]

Ya know, I'm in the same predicament! I'm interested to see what the rabble come back with.... I'll just wait here..... *grabs a bucket of popcorn and relaxes*

I never really thought of myself as a 'spectacle'... I stand corrected. :-/

[SoulFyre777]

I never really thought of myself as a 'spectacle'... I stand corrected. :-/

Forgive me, sir! My meaning was that I had the same question and hoped I might haunt this thread for a while and gather wisdom from the rabble. Nothing slanderous meant, I assure you!

[OC Richard]

It's extremely popular for pipe bands to wear waistcoats nowadays (gives a bit of a dressy look but cooler and cheaper than jackets) and I very often see the waistcoats worn too long or too short.

To my eye anyhow, it's not rocket science: if the waistcoat is covering up the sporran it's too long, if you can see a gap between the top of the kilt and the bottom of the waistcoat it's too short.

Our band gets our waistcoats from Higgins and what's nice is they come in several lengths so everyone can get one that's right for them.

Here's a band wearing waistcoats nicely: you can see the sporran and chain.



Now here's something I hate hate HATE and that's somebody wearing a belt under their waistcoat and the belt showing. Lose the belt!!! If you need support use braces. He could wear the sporran a tad higher and get a waistcoat that's a tad longer.



Here's a waistcoat that's too short combined with a kilt worn too low:



(Note the current fad for black socks in the pipe band world.)

[Fit2BKilted]

Forgive me, sir! My meaning was that I had the same question and hoped I might haunt this thread for a while and gather wisdom from the rabble. Nothing slanderous meant, I assure you!

I apologize for having given the impression of offense having been taken---it's a hazzard of text vs. voice communication---my response was intended as a wry jest.

[SoulFyre777]

...it's a hazard of text vs. voice communication...

Indeed! Never can tell sometimes... haha Would rather err on the side of caution if ever I think something I've said could have been misinterpreted...

*looks around in the awkward silence*

Well then.... *sits and resumes eating his half bucket of popcorn*

[The Guy in the Kilt at UC]

Your waistcoat should rest on your shoulders on top, and cover your waist on the bottom.

[EagleJCS]

I'm sure I'll be corrected for this...

Since the guideline for sporran wearing when wearing a standard kilt belt is about one hand's-breadth beneath the belt buckle to the top of the sporran, and a waistcoat generally covers the belt buckle (which is why one should not wear the belt with a waistcoat), I'd say the sporran should fall about one hand's-breadth below the bottom of the waistcoat. This should be about 4.5 - 5 inches below the top edge of the kilt.

[NewEnglander]

I'd say the sporran should fall about one hand's-breadth below the bottom of the waistcoat. This should be about 4.5 - 5 inches below the top edge of the kilt.

Sounds good to me...though pictures, of course, would be a good way for the rabble to nit-pick, I mean, assess your wardrobe challenge.