Of Kilt Lenght(s)

[David Thorpe]

Another ***. Victorian fashion at the middle of the knee was an extreme. Top of the knee to an inch shorter. I suspect that many Americans tend to feel a little naked and vulnerable with dress-wear that short, but that's the traditional way to do it.

[LandRover]

My everyday kilts hit at mid knee and I've been kilted fulltime for 3 and half years. My everyday kilts have a drop of beween 24 and 27(regimentals) I only own one that is above the knee with a drop of 22 I'm also 6' 2" and my everyday kilts are worn at the hip level not natural waist level.

Interesting, and I've seen comments like this before. I am 6'3", I wear my kilts at natural waist (opposed to hip), and my 24" SWK's almost feel like street-sweepers to me. I can hike them up to a point where the top edge of the kilt is about 2-inches or so above my naval (military?), here they feel and look OK. I have a 27" 16oz 8-yard tank that if worn at the same place hangs below my knees!

How is it that you gents with my same height can wear a 27" and look good but I look like I'm wearing a short ball-gown?

[Fedgunner]

Always at the top of the knee or a fingers width above. Don't agree that Mr Thompson's book is outdated, some traditions are always in style. Don't care for the droopy look whether it is pants or kilts.

This sums it up for me.

[Geoff Withnell]

I wasgoing to say the same thing, including the reference to a Stillwater Leatherneck!

I like mine at the top of the knee and all my made-to-measure kilts are that way. However, I also have a Stillwater wool kilt in Leatherneck tartan, and the standard length SWK uses comes about exactly between top and center, maybe a little closer to center of my knee. Still looks just fine to me, though I wouldn't set out to have one made that way.

[dea3369]

Top of the knee for me, whether modern or traditional.

I'll admit that before I knew better, I thought middle of the knee or bottom of the knee looked right. This was based purely off of seeing others do it. But having since looked at innumerable photos and portraits of kilts worn by native Scots and seeing how it should be done, it's hard to see them worn that low without thinking it just isn't right.

Top of the knee for me. I, too, thought middle or bottom of knee was "better." I'm going as far as trimming my favorite X-Kilts to get the "right" length.

[MacMillans son]

How is it that you gents with my same height can wear a 27" and look good but I look like I'm wearing a short ball-gown?

It may have been your choice of having the kilt made of yellow chiffon with lace trim...but that's just a guess. :-)

Ok Ok I'll behave.

I think different folks of the same height can have different leg to torso ratios. So if you have a longer torso, above your natural waist, a long kilt will come farther down on your legs than someone with a short torso and longer femurs. The space you are calculating is the one between your natural waist and your knees. Any other element of height, torso length, foot to knee etc. can account for the same height/ different kilt length syndrome.

[McElmurry]

This topic is near and dear to my heart as I will be measuring for my first kilt in a few weeks. My comment specifically addresses traditional kilts worn at traditional waist and length. I am 6’ 2” tall.

My true waist is about 1” above the center of my navel as seen in this photo.



OK, I don't actually look like this but it does show the true waist above the navel. So if someone says they wear the kilt at the true waist with the top of the kilt at the navel it does not compute for me. Michael’s true waist is particularly high because of his well-developed external abdominal oblique muscles.

To experiment I have been wearing a 1” wide web belt at my true waist to see how it feels. The centerline of the belt is about 1” above the center of my navel. The top of the belt is just below my ribs at my side.

I have read on this site a few times that the kilt should not cover the ribs. On my body with a 2” rise above the true waist the kilt will cover 1 to 1½ inches of my ribs at my side. The kilt will not cover my ribs in front.

If I strap a 25.5 inch towel on with my 1” web belt at my true waist and adjust so 2” of the towel are above the centerline of the belt the bottom of the towel is about 1” above the top of my kneecap.

My intention is to order a kilt with a 24”drop and a 2” rise for a total length of 26”. The selvedge should end up about ½” above the top of my kneecap.

Various kilt makers post guidelines for kilt length by height. For 6’ 2” the guidelines range from 24 to 26 inches. While the length will vary by body type there is a proportion that looks about right. That proportion is about 1/3 rd the height.

If anyone sees an error in my thinking please let me know as I will be sending in my measurements in the next few weeks.

[MacMillans son]

Congrats on your upcoming purchase McElmurry!

Here is my experience and suggestions.

I would avoid getting hung up on the issue of "Rise", the kilt maker will add that in in their calculations, just be sure that you and he/she are using the same point of reference for the dimensions that you provide. For instance, I am very clear when ordering a kilt that the dimension that I provide is the total overall length of the kilt from top of waist to bottom of kilt. There are numerous horror stories about people who were not clear with their kilt maker on this point and ended up with kilts that were either 2 inches too short, or too long. Nor would I worry about other peoples height to kilt length ratios. It may be an OK reference for kilt makers to make sure you are not way off base ie "I'm 5'2" and my kilt length is 29inches" but is not something I would use to order my own kilt. Nor would I use an arbitrary formula like one third of your height, as that has nothing to do with where your natural waist or knees may be, again because of the numerous factors that make up our overall height (length of torso, femur, tibia etc) and the kilt length is between two specific points, your natural waist to the top of your knee (unless you are in the mid knee camp). Rocky's towel method worked very well for me when ordering my first kilt. It doesn't require a second person or kneeling on the floor in front of a mirror while trying to read a tape without looking down etc etc. and gives you a good visual example of how things will look when it's done.

Personally, I am 6'0'' tall, I wear my kilt about 2" above my navel, and my kilt length is 23-1/2" That has nothing to do with you, I just like putting my personal dimensions up

Get it where you want it and be sure to be VERY clear with your kilt maker what the dimensions represent.

Best of luck,
Brooke

[McElmurry]

Personally, I am 6'0'' tall, I wear my kilt about 2" above my navel, and my kilt length is 23-1/2" That has nothing to do with you, I just like putting my personal dimensions up

Get it where you want it and be sure to be VERY clear with your kilt maker what the dimensions represent.

Best of luck,
Brooke

Thanks for the detailed response with good advice, especially the part about being clear with the kilt maker about total length versus drop.

I am number three in the cue so obviously won’t have the kilt for Woodland but definitely by Pleasanton.

[Geoff Withnell]

Different folks are proportioned differently. I would guess your thighs are shorter in proportion to your torso and lower legs than most.

Interesting, and I've seen comments like this before. I am 6'3", I wear my kilts at natural waist (opposed to hip), and my 24" SWK's almost feel like street-sweepers to me. I can hike them up to a point where the top edge of the kilt is about 2-inches or so above my naval (military?), here they feel and look OK. I have a 27" 16oz 8-yard tank that if worn at the same place hangs below my knees!

How is it that you gents with my same height can wear a 27" and look good but I look like I'm wearing a short ball-gown?