How about this ensemble?

**Nathan** · 5th March 13, 03:22 PM

Regarding kilt length, I found the following quote in an online guide to kilt wearing which corresponds to what our regimental rules were. Has fashion evolved?

"The lower edge of the kilt should break somewhere between the middle and top of the kneecap. Above the knee, and it's not a kilt, but a Catholic school-girl skirt. Below the knee, and it becomes a tea-length dress." http://www.en8848.com.cn/e/DoPrint/?...d=254&id=19520

Also, Jock: I find that point you make most interesting as a tweed jacket looks a lot like a tweed jacket to me regardless of it's length. Can you recommend a good book that would be the go to guide for these things in Scotland? When young people are learning the dos and don'ts do they consult some guide or is it all an oral tradition? I can see that people on this forum disagree with my Highland Regiment's regulations regarding:

Kilt length, bonnet formation, underwear and I'm sure I'll find more...

**mookien** · 5th March 13, 03:48 PM

Originally Posted by Nathan

... "The lower edge of the kilt should break somewhere between the middle and top of the kneecap. Above the knee, and it's not a kilt, but a Catholic school-girl skirt. Below the knee, and it becomes a tea-length dress." http://www.en8848.com.cn/e/DoPrint/?...d=254&id=19520 ...

The referenced "article" is both prescriptive and authoritative in style, and perhaps it applies universally to the regiments. I have no idea. But, beyond the author's opinion, and perhaps the boundaries of the regiments, it has little, or no applicability.

As you have seen/read, folks wear their kilts and accoutrements in many different ways. No one way is sacrosanct. You are free to follow the "rules/guidelines" in the article if you choose, but other folks may choose differently. To me you seem to have a good sense of Scottish attire already. Just keep on kilting on.

**O'Searcaigh** · 5th March 13, 03:50 PM

Originally Posted by Nathan

.... Above the knee, and it's not a kilt, but a Catholic school-girl skirt.....

Here's the only thing I'd disagree with -- every Catholic girl's school I ever knew required the hem of the skirt to touch the floor when kneeling (which made the length when standing fall below the knee). Of course the rule was kept more in the breach than the observance -- unless one got caught by Sister BVM!

Just above the middle of the knee is best for the kilt, I think!

**MNlad** · 5th March 13, 04:29 PM

Go for it. If anything, I can't think of a better occasion for a "semi-dress" sporran than the even you outlined.

As you can guess by the posts here and from your own experience, there is a difference of opinion on nearly every aspect of highland dress. You'll do just fine and better than most. Agree on doffing the hat when you enter the building.

**knotty** · 5th March 13, 04:39 PM

Very nice look. I wouldnt wear the hat. I was raised gentlemen dont wear hats inside.

**Domehead** · 5th March 13, 07:11 PM

WARNING! DO NOT GET SUCKED IN

You have a look. You have regimental experience. Your tam has a look based on that experience. Your kilt has a length based on that experience. Your ensemble has a style based on your own life's experiences. So long as you do not disrespect the traditions and history of this significant cultural identifier, have at it with confidence.

**sailortats** · 5th March 13, 07:12 PM

Originally Posted by Domehead

WARNING! DO NOT GET SUCKED IN

You have a look. You have regimental experience. Your tam has a look based on that experience. Your kilt has a length based on that experience. Your ensemble has a style based on your own life's experiences. So long as you do not disrespect the traditions and history of this significant cultural identifier, have at it with confidence.

I don't usually do this but..... ***

**Nathan** · 5th March 13, 08:25 PM

Originally Posted by Domehead

WARNING! DO NOT GET SUCKED IN

You have a look. You have regimental experience. Your tam has a look based on that experience. Your kilt has a length based on that experience. Your ensemble has a style based on your own life's experiences. So long as you do not disrespect the traditions and history of this significant cultural identifier, have at it with confidence.

Thanks, Domehead. Food for thought...

**Jock Scot** · 6th March 13, 02:39 AM

Nathan.

Nearly all (I still learn things on this website) of my kilt wearing knowledge was handed down, plus using a keen eye to spot styles, colour use, how to wear, how not to wear assorted kilt attire. As children we were encouraged to play "spot the lemon" where we observed our kilt wearing peers at various functions and then we later, perhaps on the way home in the car, or at breakfast, discretely discussed peoples' attire with the adults. The "lemon" and there always seemed to be one, was the poor fellow who managed to get things dreadfully wrong. Now this was not done in a scornful way----we would have been landed on like a ton of bricks had we done so-----but as educational observations on the finer and not so fine points of kilt attire, which we learnt from massively I think.

There were also in those days thousands of ex military men who had served in Scottish Regiments who would not hesitate to correct us publicly if they saw that something was wrong with our kilt attire, kilt height in particular, when we were out and about on our own. I always thought that was a tad unfair,( I know, who ever said life is fair?) as I always seemed to have a handmedown kilt that was either too big or too small, but we did learn to improvise!

I am sorry to keep doing this to you, but if you would care(again) to delve into my old threads you will find on about the third page back a title called something like "an interesting letter", it may give you something to ponder on over kilt height.

**Tobus** · 6th March 13, 08:20 AM

Originally Posted by Nathan

Regarding kilt length, I found the following quote in an online guide to kilt wearing which corresponds to what our regimental rules were. Has fashion evolved?

"The lower edge of the kilt should break somewhere between the middle and top of the kneecap. Above the knee, and it's not a kilt, but a Catholic school-girl skirt. Below the knee, and it becomes a tea-length dress." http://www.en8848.com.cn/e/DoPrint/?...d=254&id=19520

Again, your regimental rules are just fine and nobody is saying it's wrong. You absolutely have a perfectly good reason for following the regimental rules that you were taught. We're just talking about fine-tuning minor things, and of course personal preference comes into play.

But to answer your question, I don't really know if this has anything to do with fashion evolving. Just different interpretations of what is "correct", either by regimental standards (not all of which are the same) or civilian tradition. Your regimental standards were apparently based on kneeling and having the selvedge touch the ground. But according to the Royal Regiment of Scotland guidelines, "The bottom of the apron should hang 1 inch above the centre of the knee." This seems to roughly correspond with the loose rule of "somewhere between the middle and top of the kneecap", though I would argue that the 1 inch guideline places it more towards the top of the kneecap than the middle. Personally, I think this is a better guideline than one which is based on kneeling, since it's virtually impossible to kneel and then check the apron without bending over and spoiling the results.

Below is the height I consider perfect. Again, just personal preference, and not insinuating that anything else is wrong.