It is absolutely a sanity check on kilt length. I have have kilt makers question the length I have requested, as I am fairly tall, but my kilt length doesn't reflect that. But I am long in the torso, and short in the leg, and like my kilt to be at the top of the knee. So my kilt length runs about 2 inches shorter than one would expect. That is the best part of working with your kilt maker. Talk about your wants and needs, and how your kiltmaker will fit your kilt to you.