problems with the top half

**Moose McLennan** · 2nd June 06, 01:43 AM

I know the question of what to wear with the kilt (jackets, sweaters, rugby shirts and what have you) has cropped up often before, in various guises.

At a short 5'6" (and 130 lbs), I've found I hardly own anything that goes well with my kilt. Practically all of my T-shirts and polos are at least hip length and just look dreadful. Far too long. Same goes for sweaters; either too long or too slim fitting (that heavy Cameron kilt puts a good couple of inches on my hips and behind - anything slim fitting makes my hips look far wider than my chest. Unflattering). All I have is one ancient shrunk white T-shirt, one fairly short and boxy grey sweater and a hip length beige rain jacket. Not overly stylish really.

I can't really wear shirts or T's on their own tucked into the kilt either - it's military cut and reaches well up to my ribcage. I would look like a tartan lampshade.

So what's the answer, fellow short guys? Shell out for a properly cut kilt jacket? Waistcoat? Have a few T-shirts shortened?

I am desperate for ideas - going out kilted tomorrow evening (yippee!), casual but don't want to look sloppy!

Cheers
M.

**Bob C** · 2nd June 06, 04:48 AM

I posted this in another thread, so my apologies to those who have seen it:

Tuck in your damned shirt. Don't be a slob.

**Blu (Ontario)** · 2nd June 06, 04:57 AM

You might try wearing the shirts and polos - tucked in. I think that if a shirt is not tucked into the kilt, it just looks sloppy. Bomber style jackets work... and a jean jacket might be worth a try if its short enough.

good luck.

**randyrandy** · 2nd June 06, 05:17 AM

Yup... what they said.

**HeathBar** · 2nd June 06, 05:35 AM

Originally Posted by Bob C.

Tuck in your damned shirt. Don't be a slob.

I think we could be a little more helpful. Moose has said that he has a military cut kilt that comes up to his ribcage. So if he tucks in, he looks off balance because of his (lack of) height.

Moose,

Can you post a picture of yourself, tucked and untucked? It might not be as bad as you think. Would if be possible to hem the kilt so that you don't have to wear it so high? An inch or two could make a big difference.

Sweaters are not normally tucked in. If its too long try pulling the bottom of the sweater up higher and letting the excess roll over. Just work with it until it looks right.

If you do tuck in, a vest of some kind might break up the line between your kilt and shirt. You probably wouldn't even have to button up the vest. And a leather vest might give you a good casual look with a T-shirt.

I hope that helps.

**Moose McLennan** · 2nd June 06, 05:39 AM

Thanks for the tips!

Tucked in is fine with me (always, with shirts) - and I always thought the convention with T's and especially polos was untucked. Sweaters or waistcoats untucked too, obviously. It's just difficult finding something short enough for on top, in waist to hip length

Now I just wish I hadn't thrown out my old jeans jacket years ago!

The rise on my kilt is just too high to look good on its own I fear, at 2" above my navel. Might just go for the shirt (tucked in, don't worry) and black suede waistcoat on top.

M.

**Moose McLennan** · 2nd June 06, 05:48 AM

Originally Posted by HeathBar

I think we could be a little more helpful. Moose has said that he has a military cut kilt that comes up to his ribcage. So if he tucks in, he looks off balance because of his (lack of) height.

Moose,

Can you post a picture of yourself, tucked and untucked? It might not be as bad as you think. Would if be possible to hem the kilt so that you don't have to wear it so high? An inch or two could make a big difference.

Sweaters are not normally tucked in. If its too long try pulling the bottom of the sweater up higher and letting the excess roll over. Just work with it until it looks right.

If you do tuck in, a vest of some kind might break up the line between your kilt and shirt. You probably wouldn't even have to button up the vest. And a leather vest might give you a good casual look with a T-shirt.

I hope that helps.

Thank you HeathBar, you indeed hit it exactly on the head with "off-balance" - that's how I should have phrased it myself. The kilt is too heavy to be hemmed and would not go further over my hips in any case. Luckily it's a good fit, albeit on the outer holes of the straps.
Good tips with vest and sweater too.

I'll get pics up, don't worry, but not until I look presentable. Don't want to end up on that "Kilt Dos and Don'ts" thread. :-)

M.

**arrogcow** · 2nd June 06, 06:08 AM

Don't just tuck, once the kilt is on, try pulling about 2 inches of the t-shirt out evenly all the way around. The blousier (SP) look might work with a kilt with that high of a rise.

Adam

**bubba** · 2nd June 06, 06:30 AM

Moose, this is my usual look with a military cut kilt. It's the Cameron from What Price Glory.

billmcc · 2nd June 06, 06:38 AM

Originally Posted by Moose McLennan

The rise on my kilt is just too high to look good on its own I fear, at 2" above my navel.

A traditional kilt should be worn with a 2-inch rise above the navel. (A military kilt is worn even higher.) If the top of your kilt looks too high, it may be your belt isn't wide enough. A Scottish kilt looks best with a 2-inch or wider belt.