First Kilt Advice

[Jock Scot]

Great idea! I'd be so grateful.

I have a couple already. I was trying to find the best angles for this. This kilt is 26".

Oh no laddie! No! No! For heavens sake NO! ----Well you are asking!


There is a description for a kilt worn so low------trollopy-----it is a very apt description.


Of course it is your choice, but in truth you will show the kilt(and yourself) off to much better advantage if you raised the whole thing so that the kilt is not a smidgen below the centre of your knee cap-------better still, have it so it is at the top of the knee cap. Then and only then will you cease to look like a part time skirt wearer. Honestly you will.

Try it and see?

[Donnachaidh Drumair]

Is that sitting at your "natural" waist or where you wear your jeans?

It's where it should be. It has to be, else it would be down to my hose if I were wearing it at jean level!

[Donnachaidh Drumair]

There is a description for a kilt worn so low------trollopy-----it is a very apt description.

Sigh... a recap first.

I'm measuring for my very first own kilt in my family tartan. I've been very careful with all the rules, having help measuring me, etc. I felted a little above my mid-kneecap and have those measurements, but upon an idea was providing these pictures of my MacDiarmid band kilt which I know is too long and which I do not have any choice over (unless you wish to donate some new kilts? ), to further eyeball how much to take off my personal kilt and compare both measurements. As I just said above, I am debating how much to go up to get a properly non-trollopy look. I'm between 1-2 inches so far.

This kilt is 26"; it's worn at the proper waist (it has to be worn high!), and I've measured without the kilt my bare dimensions from the natural kilt waist under the ribs to the upper-mid knee at 24 1/2".

I think I've already covered a lot of bases (with help here). I just want to be sure before I order, that's all. This is my final hangup before I finally pull the trigger.

[davidlpope]

Yes, it is the length that's being a real bugger for me. I've felted my knee at different points, from the felted mark on my waist, and am fretting over half-inches now. I also put on my band kilt which is too long and try to eyeball it on how much to take off.

I have ended up going through the picture sections here, as well as taking in the breadth of opinions, finding what I like.

I'm 6', thin, and hoping 24 1/2 inches is high enough... it's a little above the middle of the kneecap. I would go higher, but I just don't know how it will fall when put on.

That last part is awfully specific. I was just throwing that out there just in case someone had my rough dimensions and wanted to pipe up. ;-)

Either 24" or 24.5" should be fine if you're 6'.

No need to obsess about a half inch. Best of luck and congratulations!

[Jock Scot]

Sigh... a recap first.

I'm measuring for my very first own kilt in my family tartan. I've been very careful with all the rules, having help measuring me, etc. I felted a little above my mid-kneecap and have those measurements, but upon an idea was providing these pictures of my MacDiarmid band kilt which I know is too long and which I do not have any choice over (unless you wish to donate some new kilts? ), to further eyeball how much to take off my personal kilt and compare both measurements. As I just said above, I am debating how much to go up to get a properly non-trollopy look. I'm between 1-2 inches so far.

This kilt is 26"; it's worn at the proper waist (it has to be worn high!), and I've measured without the kilt my bare dimensions from the natural kilt waist under the ribs to the upper-mid knee at 24 1/2".

I think I've already covered a lot of bases (with help here). I just want to be sure before I order, that's all. This is my final hangup before I finally pull the trigger.

Well, now that I have got your attention! I really think that many of your problems will easily be solved if you raised your "demo kilt"----yes the whole thing------ two inches, see how it looks and raise it more if needs be. I don't want to sound patronising, or unkind, but many youngsters and in-experienced kilt wearers seem almost embarrassed to have the TOP of the kilt worn higher than you have it in your picture. In passing, to my eyes the top appears very low and out of proportion. The waistband worn higher(much higher for some) is actually not a problem to traditional kilt wearers.

In truth, you need to go to a professional kilt maker to discuss YOUR requirements and then regardless of the technical and theoretical measurements YOU will have the kilt starting and finishing exactly where YOU want it to. Good luck laddie!

[auld argonian]

Interesting how so many people have expressed their wish that Stillwaters come in something other than a 24" length yet so many others are happy with it and make it work out. Maybe that's a possible measure that you could try: get a Stillwater economy or standard that's the standard 24" length and see how it goes....better to dish out a few bucks up front (pretty few, relatively speaking) and get a better feel for it before spending several hundred.

As to the whole height/weight/measurement thing, not easy to say "if you're 6 feet tall, then a 24 will work" because everybody is built differently. Talk to Dixiecat about doing precise measurements...she's in a line of work where they do it. Just sayin' that everybody's torso is a different length, thighs are a different length, butt is in a different place...you get the picture. On my mom's dad's side of the family, for example, they are average height but have very long torso's and no butt to speak of....kind of that endomorph/mesomorph/ectomorph kinda thing.

Thus, your build will have an effect on fit to as much of an extent as your height or weight.

I trust that I have thrown yet another unwanted set of variables into the process...

Best

AA

[Donnachaidh Drumair]

Thanks all. If I don't get it perfect it will be okay. I'll try not to obsess over that half inch.

I will admit as a youngster it is a bit uncomfortable the idea of going very high, but I know it certainly should be higher than the kneecap. I didn't mean to come off a little testy. You can never be sure, after all. ;-)

You guys have all been the greatest of help--all of you! Even if it's not perfect perfect, I've really been set in the right direction. I've taken all the advice to heart. Even if I cut a corner or two of what I really should do, that's on me.

[AKScott]

Thanks all. If I don't get it perfect it will be okay. I'll try not to obsess over that half inch.

I will admit as a youngster it is a bit uncomfortable the idea of going very high, but I know it certainly should be higher than the kneecap. I didn't mean to come off a little testy. You can never be sure, after all. ;-)

You guys have all been the greatest of help--all of you! Even if it's not perfect perfect, I've really been set in the right direction. I've taken all the advice to heart. Even if I cut a corner or two of what I really should do, that's on me.

I agree with Jock Scott. Put your band kilt back on, pull it up about two inches from where you have it pictured on the previous page, take another picture and post that.

I bet the overall length of your band kilt is close to correct, it is just riding something about like maybe 2 inches too low.

If you have to hold the band kilt up by the waist band at each hip so we can see the waistband across your middle and your knees. You'll need either a timer or a friend to operate the camera.

Just saying. Free advice, worth every penny.

[Donnachaidh Drumair]

I agree with Jock Scott. Put your band kilt back on, pull it up about two inches from where you have it pictured on the previous page, take another picture and post that.

You know what? Go ahead and be patronizing from now on, 'cause I did indeed go and do that after I saw that advice. Duh. So simple, why eyeball it? do it!

I feel silly now, as the first one here is 1.5 inches with belt and second is 2 inches without. Truly, don't fret with half inches. But if I were to err towards one...? (I think I know the answer to this.)

Small notes:

The band kilt is pretty heavy. I'm not an expert like you guys so I don't know how many ounces, but I'd be real surprised if it were less than 7 yards. If it's not a tank, it's pretty close.

It's also wide around my waist, so much so that I needed extra holes punched in the straps, and have to cinch up the belt still to keep it up walking/marching. I don't know how much it will affect the hang (I imagine some, being more fitted), but another one of those pesky variables. Even without the belt in the second picture I have positioned it high sitting right below the bottom of the ribs.

1.5"


2"

[AKScott]

I am terribly sorry if I have offended you. I did not mean to sound at all patronizing. I did mean to echo Jock's sentiment only by way of encouragement and meant you no offense. Humble regards.

I have only been a member here just over a year and hardly think myself an expert. One thing I noticed early was that looking at pictures of kilts on the internet here and then looking at myself in the mirror wasn't a lot of help to me. Putting pictures of me on my computer monitor where I could tab back and forth between pics of self and others made a huge difference for me.

Military kilts in the various UK regiments often had the waistline up onto the bottom of the ribcage. As pictured in post 39 directly above it looks to me like the visible knee is about right in both pictures, but the waist line looks to my (hardly expert eye) as if it might be either a smidge high (or perhaps a military tartan with which I was previously unfamilar). I personally think it looks better in post thirty nine than it did back on page two. I wouldn't sweat the half inch.

You might browse by whatpriceglory dot com and check the measuring instructions under scottish/ kilts/ black watch reproduction.

The two registered users here who are the acknowledged experts are Jock Scott and MacMillan of Rathdowne. When those two agree on something (and they usually do) you might as well just go with it.

Happy New Year!
Scott