Kilt Hose for a tall(ish) guy and kilt purchase advice

[RedMayhem]

Hello,

I am new and this is my first post on Xmarks! This is a great site and I have learned so much already, but have a question about a topic I have not seen yet. I am a little taller (only 6'3") and wore my first kilt several moths ago for a wedding and loved it! I am purchasing my own and want to also purchase some good kilt hose/socks. When I tried on the kilt hose before I had an unusual issue, when folded over they did not come under my knee, instead they sat somewhere around my calf and looked a little weird standing next to the other groomsmen who did not have the same issue. I never really thought that I was that tall. Has anyone else had the same issue? If so have you found a make or brand that worked better?

Finally, this is my first kilt and I am going a little more economical to start. I have seen good things about the US Casual Kilts. For $99, would you recommend this?

Thank you!

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I'm happy to help with the kilt hose issue. I'm also 6' 3", and all of my kilt hose (other than the ones my wife knit for me) are House of Cheviot brand. I've never had a problem with the height. I wear a size L to fit my size 12.5 (US) feet.
http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/hose_intro.html

[Father Bill]

Welcome to the Great Rabble!

A dear friend of mine told me when I was shopping for my first kilt that you get what you pay for. In my mind, he was right, but I'm very much a traditionalist. If you just want something to bang around in, sure, an inexpensive kilt is fine, but it won't look as good at weddings or black tie events, or even for business suit type events.

Now, there are a few folks out there who think they are kilt kops and might confront you, but they're unusual, and other than them, nobody will notice except traditionalists, most of whom might wince but would say nothing. A lot of that will depend on where you are geographically. You don't state your location, but if you're in the UK, you're more likely to want something traditional. In the US, as far as I can see, basically anything goes.

The critical factor here though is deciding where and with whom you want to wear it, and if you want something more traditional, then save up. You won't regret that. On the other hand, a top end kilt with jackets, sporran, hose, garter ties, etc. can easily get over $1,000 and if you're interested in something other than the most traditional, there is a wide range of Utilikilts, polyviscose casuals, Alt Kilts, etc. which are less expensive than 16 oz. wool. You can also get a 16 oz box-pleated kilt for less money from some of the excellent advertisers on this forum.

I have a traditional 8 yard, 16 oz, knife-pleated wool kilt - a "tank" ordered and made in Scotland. I also have a polyviscose 5 yard "casual" kilt made close to me here in Canada for banging around. (Much cheaper!) On order: a box pleated 16 oz wool (also close to home, from a third and highly recommended kiltmaker.) In price, it falls between the two. In appearance it will likely look and wear more like the tank.

Why not hang around this forum for a few weeks before you decide? If you want what we call a 16 oz "tank" (the traditional 8 yard, knife-pleated wool kilt) it could take several months anyway, so what does an extra few weeks matter? On the other hand, if you do want something much less expensive, they're often available very quickly, so the time spent listening and reading will save you money and confirm your decision.

With your height issues, you may also (probably) want a made-to measure kilt. Matt, who answered you above could do that for you, and I deeply admire his integrity in biting his tongue and answering your question without advertising. He's actually among the best from everything I hear.

Whatever you choose, make your decision carefully and then have no regrets.

All the best, and again,

Bill+

[davidg]

I would echo Matt's suggestion to go with House of Cheviot. I am the opposite in that I find their hose come far too high up my leg compared to other brands of hose

Failing that, you can get hose made to measure, but that's a bit on the expensive side. I think both the Matt's Scottish Tartan Museum and Rocky's USA Kilts can probably both arrange custom made for you

[davidg]

Oh - and

[Tobus]

I would echo Matt's suggestion to go with House of Cheviot. I am the opposite in that I find their hose come far too high up my leg compared to other brands of hose

Failing that, you can get hose made to measure, but that's a bit on the expensive side. I think both the Matt's Scottish Tartan Museum and Rocky's USA Kilts can probably both arrange custom made for you

*** to all of this. I love the quality of the House of Cheviot hose, but they tend to be a little too long for me. Perhaps they're made for taller fellows.

That said, you don't necessarily want your hose to come all the way to your knee. We are not Catholic school girls, and we don't wear knee socks. Highland kilt hose are really only supposed to come high enough to go just over the widest part of your calf. You would tie your garter there and fold the top over. If you're trying to get hose to come all the way up to the bottom of your knee, then that's too tall. They really do look better when they're several inches below your knee (I think some people use a guideline of three finger widths or something like that).

Unfortunately, most standard kilt hose do that on me. The seam for the fold-over cuff comes all the way up to my knee, and I have to do really weird stuff to make them not come up so high. If your hose are tall enough to cover your calf swell, they're perfect. No need to go higher.

And I would heartily recommend getting some custom hose made. Not necessarily right off the bat, but as you start fine-tuning your kilted wardrobe. It makes a world of difference when you have hose made to your measurements. I have at least three pair (two hand-knitted cable hose and one machine-made pair of Argyle hose to match my kilt). They can be pricy, but when you wear them, you will understand why.

[Peter Crowe]

The advice you have received from Matt, David, Fr. Bill, and Tobus is all good, and I have nothing to add except from an expatriate Scot living in Massachusetts.

[biblemonkey]

Remember, when choosing a kilt that's it's very important to think about why you want it and where you will wear it. You can dress down a nicer kilt but it's rather hard to dress up a casual kilt. If you plan on wearing the kilt in more casual circumstances (parties, pubs, ball games, hiking) or don't know if you really want to make a kilt a part of your regular life in more formal or semi-formal circumstances, then a USA casual is the way to go. I started with a standard Sportkilt. If you plan on dressing it up for weddings, black tie affairs, etc. and know you will make a kilt a regular part of your wardrobe then I would save and buy a made to measure or start by buying an ex-rental/ex-hire kilt. That was my next step. Stillwater kilts also makes a nice starter wool kilt but the standard length may be too short for a guy your size.

All the best in your kilt search,
Hugh

[MacMillans son]

That said, you don't necessarily want your hose to come all the way to your knee. We are not Catholic school girls, and we don't wear knee socks. Highland kilt hose are really only supposed to come high enough to go just over the widest part of your calf. You would tie your garter there and fold the top over. If you're trying to get hose to come all the way up to the bottom of your knee, then that's too tall. They really do look better when they're several inches below your knee (I think some people use a guideline of three finger widths or something like that).

.

Exactly!

And, RedMayham, you provide a good example of how less than perfect practices get passed along and become what people believe are a standard or traditional practice. That being, comparing what they are wearing with others who are equally inexperienced or uniformed. I mean that not as a slight at all, just an example of lack of experience or exposure. We see it exemplified in the typical kilt rental outfits; Prince Charlie coatees as daywear, white hose to the knee, Gillie Brogues etc. Those not familiar with traditional Highland attire, tend to see those type of outfits most often so naturally see them as being "how everyone else is doing it, so therefore, it must be right". The problem is that it's a perfect example, in most cases I presume, as the blind leading the blind.

Had I not come across this forum, I would also believe that what I saw in magazines, or at typical American games, was traditional or "the right way"

Although I am still a little too matchy matchy at times, and my chosen head wear is not, nor likely ever to be, traditional, I have learned a lot here from those who have traditional experience in traditional Highland attire, and I trust you will too.

Welcome aboard and best of luck in your quest!

Regards,
Brooke

[piperdbh]

I'm guessing the hose you wore were rented, along with the kilt. That might explain why they were too short.

What tartan are you wanting this first kilt to be?

Welcome aboard, by the way, frome western North Carolina, the greatest place on Earth!