Winter kilts

[Kylahullu]

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I May oversimplify things, but to me a long kilt Really blurs the line between a kilt and a skirt, and I for one don't want anyone to mistake me for an old spinster!
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If we look at the normal & modern fashion for the kilt, it will be noted that the length is to the top or at most mid knee.
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Well, there are many examples of kilts hanging just below the knee cup. Some of them can be seen in "Kilts & Tartan made easy" by Dr Nicholas J Fiddes (see page 43 for three examples).

I don't think anyone would mistake these gentlemen as old spinsters even their knee-cup is not showing:

(Image from: http://www.albanach.org/images/belted-plaid.jpg)
The text there: "... the lower edge hangs about your knees. Whether it is above, below, or on your knees is personal choice. There does not appear to have been a standard length as this woodcut of Scottish soldiers from 1641 clearly shows."

Fashion or function?
The fashion today dictates the hemline to be to the top or to the middle of knee-cup.
The two inches more might put the kilt out of fashion but does it help the functionality or is it out of the margins of tradition?

I am all the time thinking the winter time. During warm weather the function says that the kilt should not tear your bare calves when hiking, so it should not be longer than about the middle of your knee-cup or even shorter. Would these couple of inches more make the kilt a comfortable garment in a bit colder weather or not? Anyone having any experience of the difference?

For not being mistaken as an old spinster I trust a full beard and missing of breasts.
And in the end, if someone wants to hit on an old spinster the frustration of the mistake would be his/her, not mine.

[terryk]

Thanks for all the positive remarks. If I had checked my submission before posting it, I would have realised that I had posted the same picture twice! I intended the second Tweed picture to be a close-up of thr tweed box pleat. But I seem to be having trouble with a very unresponsive and irratic photobucket, so I have removed the broken link.

Kind regards
Terry

[Micric]

Kylahullu,

I don't want to detract from Terry's thread, to-ing and fro-ing about what we may think about proper lengths for kilts.
Terry did a fantastic job on these, and I for one couldn't even begin.
That I thought they were a tad long wasn't meant to become the main issue here, so let us let it rest.

Terry, So sorry for hi-jacking your thread, You did a grand job in the construction of these!

Kindest regards,

Richard.

[Kylahullu]

Kylahullu,

I don't want to detract from Terry's thread, to-ing and fro-ing about what we may think about proper lengths for kilts.
Terry did a fantastic job on these, and I for one couldn't even begin.
That I thought they were a tad long wasn't meant to become the main issue here, so let us let it rest.

Terry, So sorry for hi-jacking your thread, You did a grand job in the construction of these!

Kindest regards,

Richard.

Well, I did not understand that replying to a thread named "Winter kilts" and taking part to a conversation about what makes a kilt a winter kilt can be thought as hi-jacking a thread... Even if the thread is in the DIY showroom section. But you learn something every day.

Anyway, good looking winter kilts in the first post.

[Liam]

Good morning Kylahullu,
Why? may appear a pertinent question, and I May oversimplify things, but to me a long kilt Really blurs the line between a kilt and a skirt, and I for one don't want anyone to mistake me for an old spinster!
Re. Cold, I can sympathise, as where we live in Western Canada (Alberta) we can get cold, as in -20 to -40- odd (C).
I still don't wear a kilt longer though, your knees get used to it, and if it's Too cold, wear trousers. Simple as that.
I know my opinion is not everyone's opinion, but as we are all entitled to one, mine is that a long kilt looks B. awful!

If we look at the normal & modern fashion for the kilt, it will be noted that the length is to the top or at most mid knee.

If we look at it historically, a long cloak, plaid, or "matchcoat" (essentially a wool blanket) would be worn in cold weather, and the latter is very effective and can go mid calf Over a kilt and look perfectly correct.

I still feel leave the kilt as it should be, and wear appropriate apparel over it, or wear your normal trousers till it warms up! :-)

Very best wishes,
Richard.

My kilted solution to Alberta winters is to wear thick hose and a below the knee length over coat. I also have a couple of pairs of extra long kilt hose that can be unrolled over the knee if necessary and a military weight WPG kilt for the coldest days.
Terry.....I too like your navy box pleat...
Great job!

[Pleater]

The 'dangerous' length for a garment is when it is just long enough to catch in the fold of the bent knee as you walk. If you are walking in wet weather that edge can sandpaper the skin at every step.

If the kilt is not long enough so it can be loosened at the waist so it drops a couple of inches below the joint, then it is far better to hoist it up.

Having been caught out in torrential rain in my 27 inch kilt and a teeshirt I was pleased to find that it absorbed and diverted the water which soaked my upper body to the skin, but ran down and dripped from each fold of the pleats.

The addition of a long plaid would have been even better, and thankfully I had put on a dark teeshirt so it did not become translucent when wet, and a round cap too - so reducing the drowned rat look, but I could not have been wetter if I'd laid in a bath.

The many layers of wet cloth were quite insulating, and I was not chilled when walking - I don't doubt that I'd have been in serious trouble if I was out on the hills, but when walking home it was not really a problem - though it did reveal that my back pack was not waterproof.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[Tarheel]

I am completely comfortable with the length of your kilts for warmth as your choice. My question comes down to headwear. Do you have a preference to go with your kit? And, does the head gear change ( raise or lower) the hem position like a thermostat for you?

[terryk]

I am completely comfortable with the length of your kilts for warmth as your choice. My question comes down to headwear. Do you have a preference to go with your kit? And, does the head gear change ( raise or lower) the hem position like a thermostat for you?

Hi Tarheel, I just wear a beanie hat. The colder the weather the tighter I pull it down on my head.

[tpa]

Thanks for all the positive remarks. If I had checked my submission before posting it, I would have realised that I had posted the same picture twice! I intended the second Tweed picture to be a close-up of thr tweed box pleat. But I seem to be having trouble with a very unresponsive and irratic photobucket, so I have removed the broken link.

Kind regards
Terry

Terry was this the one you intended?

[terryk]

Terry was this the one you intended?

Yes this is the picture Alastair.
Thanks for posting it.
Terry