How Short is too short? Kilt length.

[jeanfor]

Like all of you I like the length from top of knee to mid knee.

[Katia]

My suspicion is that the mysterious young man would do well with a set of suspenders/braces... he doesn't look like he has much bum to keep the kilt up.

Mine (bought secondhand) falls perhaps a centimeter above the top of my knee, unless I try to yank it down (doesn't really work-- I, unfortunately, do not have the no-bum problem). This is pretty appropriate to SOBHD rules ("top of the knee"), though I've also seen some state the "when kneeling, the hem should touch the floor" rule, which on me would suggest mid-knee, I believe.

The "correct" length is always a bit disappointing for those of us with funny-looking knees (since that is the only part of one's leg that Highland dress shows!); I prefer to wear my skirts to just under my knee and it's the most flattering length on my leg. Alas, it does not work with a kilt...

My mum's pet peeve is always men in too-short kilts. I seem to see this most often on guys wearing great kilts and similar, and had always wondered if it was more historically-traditional, or just happens to be the way the kilt is that day...

[jeanfor]

I am also very fit and have a small waist but nice buttocks (got that from my father side, and make some women jealous). I just make sure that my kilt is tight on the waist. I like sometimes my kilt 1 or 2 inch above the knee during the summer. But usually right above the knee.

[David Thorpe]

...if you've got 'a bit of a tummy' the kilt will sit slightly higher at the back, so anything above the 'top of the knee' or higher may be quite risque !.

Not a problem if the kilt is made and worn correctly. The "tilt" occurs only when the front of the waistband is lower than the back.

[jeanfor]

Not a problem if the kilt is made and worn correctly. The "tilt" occurs only when the front of the waistband is lower than the back.

Women are very careful about that when trying skirts. I think it is the same when wearing a kilt. The wearer needs to make sure that the kilt falls well and fit well. Ill fitted pants can pass but ill fitted kilts look bad. It is like color matching ....

[xman]

( I know as a girl I could buy the mini skirt version but have no desire)

Right, a miniskirt is a miniskirt even if it's tartan. We're talking kilts.
For me and men I recommend the top of the knee as most comfortable, if it slips an inch either way it still looks fine.
For women, no more than 3-4 inches above the knee and no longer than the floor.
I love the sway of a mid calf kilt skirt, but that's not for every woman. Some women are pipers.

[James Hood]

"Way too short" is when the thought comes, "Gag, urp; that is not part of his sporran..."

[SorenMacTavish]

As for my kilts....both of the Utilikilt type and the traditional...I like either mid-kneecap or right at the top of my knee. Sadly, living in the Seattle area (birthplace of Utilikilt branded kilts)....you see a lot of "kilted" things that cannot be unseen.

[TheOfficialBren]

I'm with the rabble on this one. Top of the knee, basically. I find it to be the most comfortable and it maintains proportions very well for my body-type.

Happy Kilting!

[Roderick Powell]

Hi Dale ,like your kilt length, mine is just on the top of knee cap. Keeps my hem just clear of calves in the rain.
I understand regimental kilt length varies with whim of commanding officer.
Please could you clarify if brown soft sporran is attached to chain or directly attached to belt through back of sporran, like old style shot pouch as worn by curator of museum in Scotland.

I like to keep my kilt pressed to line of pattern to make it swing and keep hanging straight.

I have not worked out how to crease the outer pleat on left side of apron across sett of material to give correct fall of apron outwards as sides of apron are not parallel