trad. kilt length

[Woodsheal]

For an existing traditional, 8yd. kilt, how does one state its length, given that the kilt-maker adds a "rise" to a trad-constructed kilt. Is the "kilt-length" from the top of the waistband, or from the natural waist?
The reason I ask, I'm currently listing a kilt for sale with a length of 23 inches, which is the actual (total) length of the kilt from the top of the waistband down to the selvedge. Is that the correct way to designate a kilt's length?

Does my question make sense...!?

[Blu (Ontario)]

On all of my traditional kilts, the overall length has always been from the top of the waistband to the selvage.

[Kilted_John]

Same as with mine... Well, except, maybe for the ex-Military MacKenzie that I sold in 2002...
-J

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Different people do it differently. Sometimes when people are sending me their measurements for a kilt, they are giving me the measurement from the top of their hipbone to where they want their kilt to fall, so I will need to add a 2" rise to this. Other times, they are giving me the measurement from above their naval, where the top of their kilt will be, to where they want their kilt to fall, with a 2" rise already included.

I guess it depends on where they learned to take measurements from. But I don't want to accadentally make a kilt too long or too short, so I always ask if this is a "finished kilt length" or "total kilt length" to determine if I need to add the rise or not.

All the kilts that I have ever seen listed second-hand (in other words, not being made for the customer) have been listed with a total kilt length. But if you want to make sure that people aren't getting confused, you can always say something like "total length = 23"."

Aye,
Matt

[KMacT]

...I don't want to accadentally make a kilt too long or too short, so I always ask if this is a "finished kilt length" or "total kilt length" to determine if I need to add the rise or not. ...But if you want to make sure that people aren't getting confused, you can always say something like "total length = 23"."

Good points, of course, but in this context I wouldn't know (don't know) the difference between these two. "Finished" is shorter than "total," I presume, but I'm not sure why or what finished means here. Could other terms be used? Based on body parts (hips, hip bone, waist...)?

Kevin

[Hamish]

Why not simply state the length you have but add either: 'Including 2" rise' or 'Excluding 2" rise' as you feel might be appropriate?

One of my favourite Scottish kiltmakers (!) always notes down on his paperwork : Length xx" (incl x" rise). If I am ordering a traditional kilt, the single 'x' is shown as '2', but if I am ordering a hipster or contemporary kilt it is shown as '0'!

Hope that makes sense - I know what I mean!

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Sorry for the confusion. By "finished length" and "total length" I was referring to the same thing. In other words, your kilt length might be 22" plus a 2" rise, making the finished or total length of the kilt 24."

Aye,
Matt

[Woodsheal]

Matt,
Got it!
So, I can now safely tell you that the 21 1/2" length measurement I sent you for my forthcoming kilt will be the "finished/total" length, from just above my navel to the top of my kneecap, which is where I like my kilts to fall....
Thanks!

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Lol... thanks, Brian, I'll make note of that. :-)
Matt

[Mike1]

Could other terms be used? Based on body parts (hips, hip bone, waist...)?

My kiltmaker wanted over a dozen measures and also wanted to use the umbilicus for reference, as well. I think the more measures you can provide, the better the fit you will experience.