Would you sacrifice tradition for comfort?

[beerandtat2s]

I realize most of us don't wear traditional 8 yard kilts on a regular basis and that it seems like we mostly wear casual styles. My question is in regard to length. Of my 8 kilts I don't think any are the same length. They range from the traditional top of the knee to a couple of inches below. I find I am more comfortable with the length at the bottom of the knee. It just feels better getting in and out of my jeep. I feel like the apron tends to fall better when I sit. What's the board's opinion?

James

[Miah]

Well not that i am a major authority on it but my USA kilt i ordered a tad long because i thought i would feel weird with it only going to the knee and all the shorts i had worn went below. I still wear it and love it. as long as it does not get to low "I think" you will be ok but if it gets to low it starts looking skirtish i feel

just my 2 yen worth

[Jimmy Carbomb]

James, my personal preference is to have it hit the bottom half of the knee cap. My excuse is because I'm on-stage with the things, and I REALLY don't need to be sharing the boys with the front row!

I also know that once the dancing and jumping around starts, I won't need to worry too much about the sway. What's under the kilt... stays under the kilt (thanks to Las Vegas for that line).

I know that when I see a kilt above the knee in the USA, it's looks a little too "Britney Spears" for me. On a female... GREAT!!! On a guy...

[zeytoun]

I wear my traditional to the top of my knee, and my Utilikilt to mid-knee. The Utilikilt seems to be designed to avoid flashing people, especially when sitting down. But too long (esp. on a tartan kilt) just looks girly to me IMHO. I have a friend who wears a black workman's UK for carpentry work, he's a manly guy, but he wears it about an inch below the knee. That and sandals makes it look somehow "not right" to me.

Then again, it seems that the highlanders each wore their tartans according to personal preference, before the Victorian rules set in.

[GMan]

James,

After reading your post, I just had to go try on all my kilts (one at a time) to see where they all landed on my knees. All but two land at the middle of the knee. The one that is just above knee level feels great except when I sit down, a little bit of creeping going on. The one that is just at the bottom of my knee also feels great except for when I sit down, it stays below my knee and I feel that it is hanging funny or that my kilt is slipping down, an almost eerie feeling. I have noticed that when I stand more in a kilt, it is with these two.

As expressed by the others, it all boils down to your own thoughts and feelings. So just go with what you feel comfortable in with your own kilt wearing! And since you get in and out of a Jeep frequently, then a little bit longer may suit you fine.

[RockyR]

I am still learning, this is all to new to me to give anyone advice, so I will just share what my kilt is like and read to learn from others.

My Amerikilt comes to mid knee when worn at the navel. It has enough material that sitting is no problem as it fall between my legs, Shorter on the back side when sitting so part of my bare legs are in contact with the seat. When it drops to my waist, it hangs just below my knee.

My Preference.. Whatever My wife likes once she sees me in it!

To My eyes..If it is above the knee on me It looks too short to me and I don't like it, below the knee, it looks too long for a Kilt, . But I don't mind the look, I just want to be sure It looks right to please my wife first, Then others. I don't want to look silly in it.

As I begin as a new kilt wearer, I want the kilt I wear to look like a kilt should look to anyone that sees me in it.

I am glad you posted this because I want to hear from everyone so I know what's best as I enjoy this fantastic garment!
This Board is so pleasant!

[Graham]

James, your post is called "Would you sacrifice tradition for comfort?"

Sorry, but I don't see how an inch or two up or down can affect comfort.

I personally wear my kilts mid knee to top of kneecap, but the comfort of the kilt relys more on the weight, style and material of the kilt.

I don't like to see a kilt below the knee, in Australia we would use the word "daggy", but that's just me

[Freelander Sporrano]

My one and only kilt (At the mo')is 24 1/2" and goes mid-knee. See my gallery. I have no complaints I've got nothing to compare it with as yet.

What I was wondering when you said "in and out of your jeep" was.
Do you have a problem with it getting caught ? in the door ?(The kilt ...sorry)This has happened to me when getting in and closing the door of my car. I also twist the sporran to one side as I feel the seatbelt doesn't sir right. Have you done this?

[Casey]

For walking I am of the opinion that the kilt should be no longer than mid-knee and my favourite kilt for walking is actually just at the top of the knee. I need to be carefully with that one when I get in and out of the car.

Casey

[elijah]

My kilts are middle to bottom and that is more for modesty than anything else.