How Do I Determine What Size Kilt To Buy?

[Bluethunder90]

I found a number of kilts on Amazon that are within my price range but when I started looking closely at them I discovered that I have no idea what a lot of the references mean in regard to what size kilt I should purchase.
What does a 3-yard kilt indicate versus a 5-yard kilt?
I understand that 10 ounces versus 13 ounces indicate the weight of the fabric, but in practical application what does that really indicate and how does it apply to everyday wear?
How does it apply to formal versus casual wear?
I'm 6'2, around 210 pounds with long legs and a short torso, but my legs, my hamstrings, quads and glutes are fairly large do to heavy weightlifting, so how do I determine what length kilt I should buy? I've seen references to 22 inch kilts and 24 inch kilts.
Should my kilt hang below or above my knee?

I know I just ask a lot of questions but I want to make sure that I do not look silly or wear the garment improperly when I purchased my first kilt.

[Brian Rose]

Let's see how much I've learned from reading the forums here. You are correct about the fabric weight. 3 yard,5 yard and 8 yard refers to the length of the fabric used in the kilt if it were laid out ( not pleated). The more fabric one starts with, the more ( and deeper) the pleats can be made.
Most of the posters here seem to prefer no longer than mid-knee. I like mine just above.
To those more experienced than I, please feel free to correct me and educate both me and the OP.

[FossilHunter]

I found a number of kilts on Amazon that are within my price range but when I started looking closely at them I discovered that I have no idea what a lot of the references mean in regard to what size kilt I should purchase.
What does a 3-yard kilt indicate versus a 5-yard kilt?
I understand that 10 ounces versus 13 ounces indicate the weight of the fabric, but in practical application what does that really indicate and how does it apply to everyday wear?
How does it apply to formal versus casual wear?
I'm 6'2, around 210 pounds with long legs and a short torso, but my legs, my hamstrings, quads and glutes are fairly large do to heavy weightlifting, so how do I determine what length kilt I should buy? I've seen references to 22 inch kilts and 24 inch kilts.
Should my kilt hang below or above my knee?

I know I just ask a lot of questions but I want to make sure that I do not look silly or wear the garment improperly when I purchased my first kilt.

Yardage indicates the amount of fabric used to make the kilt with higher yardage usually indicating more pleats in the back. More yardage/pleats usually looks nicer and could be considered more formal in that regard but it’s not a rule. Xmarks member panache has shared a lot of photos of himself dressed formally in 5 yard, polyviscose, kilts. Quite successfully in my opinion.

I like my kilt to come me to the top of the knee or just above it.

[Bluethunder90]

Yardage indicates the amount of fabric used to make the kilt with higher yardage usually indicating more pleats in the back. More yardage/pleats usually looks nicer and could be considered more formal in that regard but it’s not a rule. Xmarks member panache has shared a lot of photos of himself dressed formally in 5 yard, polyviscose, kilts. Quite successfully in my opinion.

I like my kilt to come me to the top of the knee or just above it.

I understand. Thank you! The yardage now makes a lot more sense and I have a better idea of what to look for.

You said that you like your kilt to come to the top of your knee or just above, but is there a general rule about how long it should be? I have very long legs, so I'm not sure which, just above the knee, at the knee, or just below the knee would look best.

[FossilHunter]

I understand. Thank you! The yardage now makes a lot more sense and I have a better idea of what to look for.

You said that you like your kilt to come to the top of your knee or just above, but is there a general rule about how long it should be? I have very long legs, so I'm not sure which, just above the knee, at the knee, or just below the knee would look best.

In general it seems to be accepted practice to wear the kilt at mid knee to somewhere a little above the knee. With the exact spot up to the wearer’s preference.

Below the knee is generally considered too low. This is both aesthetic and practical as the kilt will rub uncomfortably if too long.

There is a useful thread called “thcd a guide and definition” that has a lot of good photos of members in kilts and you will see a variety of heights. Even if you don’t go the traditional route, it’s a good resource. It is a sticky thread at the top of the traditional kilt wear subforum.

[bodhran4me]

The length (or I guess height) of the kilt will be determined not only by where you wish the kilt to fall, either knee or midknee, but also on where you plan to wear the top of the kilt which could be full rise, mid rise or low rise. This will also affect the required fell length. Since you are talking Amazon you are likely talking an off the rack , ready made kilt which will have an 'average' fell. I am about the same height and my kilt measurement was for a 25" or 25 1/2" to fall at the knee for a traditional, full rise kilt. But of course we are built differently .

There are many different tutorials on the web about how to take your measurements but most kilt makers want you to follow their specific set of instructions.

Remember that when shopping 'within your price range' to be sure to compare apples to apples, not oranges, avocados and kumquats.

Their are many different materials (eg. acrylic, PV, PV with teflon/anti pilling, wool blends, pure wool etc.) Also worth noting is that many so called PV are actually lesser fabrics such as acyrlic, cotton or other blends. The term is not well regulated and can cover a multitude of sins. Generally the Marton Mills PV is well regarded within the kilting community. Within in each of the above materials there are different qualities of fabric.

The length of the kilt or yardage is the next step of the equation. Usually a 4 yard is the minimum you want.

The construction of the garment is the next factor. A properly constucted garment made from cheaper, lesser quality fabric such as PV can look better than the one made from a high end 100% worsted wool from the finest mill that lacks proper construction.

The above factors and their importance will be be influenced by your budget and intended use. Most folks wouldn't enter an Ironman competion in their 8 yard custom woven kilt nor would they get married or attend a formal function in their 4 yard acrylic.

What may be one of the most important factors may well be customer service, both before AND after the sale. You want good advice from the seller in regards to all of the previous considerations but also what if there is a problem when you receive your kilt? A week after? A month after? etc. In esence do they stand behind their product? Research who you want to give your money to. Read reviews from the seller either here, on other forums, from folks you know or online. Do not always trust reviews from the sellers own website. Thre are examples of excellent service from sellers of budget kilts and shoddy service from high end vendors.

I wish you luck regardless of the route you choose and hope you will let us know how it all comes together.

[Manu]

I suggest you browse the USA Kilts website, more specific their "What Kilt Is Right For Me" link. It breaks down different yardage, materials, and construction that can help figure out what you are looking at. They also have graphic measurement guides. Good luck!

[lschwartz]

In general it seems to be accepted practice to wear the kilt at mid knee to somewhere a little above the knee. With the exact spot up to the wearer’s preference.

Below the knee is generally considered too low. This is both aesthetic and practical as the kilt will rub uncomfortably if too long.

There is a useful thread called “thcd a guide and definition” that has a lot of good photos of members in kilts and you will see a variety of heights. Even if you don’t go the traditional route, it’s a good resource. It is a sticky thread at the top of the traditional kilt wear subforum.

Bluethunder,

Here is the URL for the guide FossilHunter recommended...http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...xamples-85511/

Larry

[lschwartz]

bluethunder, see me comments in blue below.

Also, if your price range is around $100 or less, and that is what you are finding on Amazon, they will be made from acrylic. Even if they say it is acrylic wool it is still synthetic and not a wool blend. I would really suggest that you think about a USA Kilts Casual kilt to start out with. It will be in PV from Marton Mills, which is a harder finish/smoother fabric than a wool or acrylic wool fabric, but they look great and wear well. It will also let you get it made to your personal measurements. And all for $99.99.

I found a number of kilts on Amazon that are within my price range but when I started looking closely at them I discovered that I have no idea what a lot of the references mean in regard to what size kilt I should purchase.

What does a 3-yard kilt indicate versus a 5-yard kilt? As mentioned before, that is how many yards of material is used for the kilt. It has nothing to do with the height of the kilt. More yards means they can make the pleats deeper; or, they can put more pleats in the kilt, they will just be normal depth. More fabric also adds some bulk to the kilt. My wife says that I look better in a 5-yard kilt than an 8-yard kilt. I am 5'10" and 240 pounds.

I understand that 10 ounces versus 13 ounces indicate the weight of the fabric, but in practical application what does that really indicate and how does it apply to everyday wear? The main difference you will see in fabric weight is warmth and swish. The heavier weights are obviously going to warmer and better for cooler climates. A 10 ounce wool would be better for Hawaii, as would the PV fabrics as they are lighter in weight and not as warm as wool. As for the swish, or the swing of the kilt as you walk, the additional weight of the heavier fabrics helps it to swing as you walk, but the 10 ounce should work fine. Do a search on swish and swagger for more discussion on this point.

How does it apply to formal versus casual wear? You can use either weight for either type of wear. Heavier fabrics may result in a more formal/dressy appearance but lighter weight fabrics work too. Many people won't notice the difference.

I'm 6'2, around 210 pounds with long legs and a short torso, but my legs, my hamstrings, quads and glutes are fairly large do to heavy weightlifting, so how do I determine what length kilt I should buy? I've seen references to 22 inch kilts and 24 inch kilts.There are two things to think about here; where you want the kilt to hit you at the knee and length. Just like where you want your pants cuff to hit your shoe, it is all a matter of personal taste; there isn't a right or wrong answer, although some options just look better. You want it to hit around your knee but not up on your thigh or down along your shin. Top of the knee, middle of the knee or bottom of the knee all work fine. I prefer to have mine hit just below/bottom of the knee because it feels too short (to me) otherwise. Most people go for mid-knee and I think that looks the best overall. If you go with a Casual kilt like I suggested you can easily wear it a little higher or lower on your body to see which you prefer.

As for the length, when they say a kilt is 22" long they mean the length from the top of the kilt in front to where it stops at the knee is 22".

Another thing to consider is where you wear the kilt. Someone mentioned the "rise" of your kilt, and that refers to where you your torso you have the top edge of the kilt. The traditional location is just below your ribs, or full rise. Mid-rise is around the level of your belly button or at the top of your hip bone. Low-rise is where most people wear their jeans, which is lower on the hips. Mid-rise seems to be what most people wear, but pick the look that you like the best on your body.

Should my kilt hang below or above my knee?See the discussion above.

I know I just ask a lot of questions but I want to make sure that I do not look silly or wear the garment improperly when I purchased my first kilt.

[Creag]

I understand. Thank you! The yardage now makes a lot more sense and I have a better idea of what to look for.

You said that you like your kilt to come to the top of your knee or just above, but is there a general rule about how long it should be? I have very long legs, so I'm not sure which, just above the knee, at the knee, or just below the knee would look best.

A note on yardage - girth is also a factor. For example, I measure 32" at the kilt waist, which is just above the navel. I've got a 6 yard kilt and it has plenty of deep pleats. My 8 yard kilt has a ridiculous number of deep pleats. If cost is a factor and you are slim, a 5 yard kilt may come out looking great.

For length, and I'm sure many have answered this one, I'd go for touching the top of the knee cap. You can always wear the kilt an inch higher or lower on your waist to suit what you think looks best for length.