Bottom edge

[Tiran]

Is it going to look silly if I have to have my kilt hemmed? I am thinking about ordering a stillwater, for casual wear, but with a 24' lenght, at the right knee, or even close to it the top is damn near to my nipples. Ok that might be a bit of an exaggeration, but its way higher than I want, particularly if I will be wearing it with tshirts or sweaters.
Guess I am just looking for some reassurance. My intro and history are in that section.

Tiran

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Tiran,

I see two issues here. First, what are you considering "too high" on yoru waist? A lot of men, especially the first time they get a kilt, are a bit hesitant to wear the kilt at the proper waist line. The kilt is a high waisted garment, and should be worn at your natural waist. This is the soft section between the top of your hip bone and the bottom of yoru rib cage (just an inch or so above yoru belly button on most men). A properly made kilt should rest on the top of your hip bone.

Since we normally wear our pants and jeans several inches lower than this, we tend to forget where our actual waist is, and a lot of guys think that it might "look silly" or be uncomfrotable to wear your kilt that high. But trust me, this is where it needs to be worn. A properly made kilt will look better, and feel better, when worn at the natural waist.

Ok, assuming that you are wearing your kilt at the proper height on your waist, and it is still too long for you, the second issue is whether or not to hem it. Is it going to look silly? you ask. Well, no, not if you hem it well. As long as there is a crisp edge at the bottom and no stitching shows through on the outside of the fabric, people should never know it has been hemmed.

But a kilt is supposed to be made to the selvedge edge. This is why cloth woven for kilting is made with a closed selvedge, to allow for that.

Question -- if you are ordering a new kilt, can you not get it made to the proper length for you?

Aye,
Matt

[Tiran]

No, I can't change the length. Stillwaters are so cheap (I assume) because they are mass produced and all the same length. I was going to order a Bear but I don't want to wait that long (I have waited 3 years, thats long enough) but now I may go get one of the HighlandActive kilts here in town for what a Bear costs. Even though that limits me to a Blackwatch or Royal Stewart.

[Mike n NC]

Tiran, Matt is right, it may take a little getting used to but after a couple of wearings the higher waist seems comfortable and natural. I have a stillwater heavy weight and without running to put in on or measure it, judging from the way it fits me, the 24" kilt that Jerry sells includes the 2" rise above the waist. I actually have to let it down a bit to hit the tops of my knees. Like I said, without measureing, I'm guessing the kilt is 22" with a two inch rise, making it 24" total length.

Jerry goes on to say on his site that they can easily be altered using a machine sewn blind stitch if you need it shorter. I would reccomend having it done by a professional if you aren't handy with a sewing machine, just to make sure the hem is straight.

I own several kilts that have a 2" rise and find them every bit as comfortable as the lower riding casual style. Just took a little getting used to.

Mike

[James]

Thanks to the natural shrinkage of age-me that it not the kilt, a hillwalker I'd had for many years felt to me-though not obvious to others, a bit too long.

Hector Russell shortened it for me-resulting in a hem!

I, after the first wearing forgot all about it, and no one has ever commented.

So if necessary I do not think a hem is any real disadvantage.

James

[bubba]

In the case of Stillwater kilts, if you're getting the standard, the fabric is light enough that hemming is no problem at all. Even a 13 oz wool can be hemmed without looking odd, but heavier than that there'll be too much bulk in the hem.

[Dreadbelly]

Stillwater does have a rise. It was made to sit high like a traditional. The kilt has about a 21 to 22 inch drop, which is for normal people. That's 22 inches directly from the hip.

Stillwater Heavy is a darn good kilt for the money. Hard to go wrong.

BTW, I am 5 foot 5 and the 24 inch Stillwater fits me just fine.

[Raphael]

Stillwater Kilts can be hemmed.

[Tiran]

It is now a moot point. I just bought a wool blackwatch for 150 $C at a local scottish shop. The 24" was ok but the 23" was better. It was a steal, and the service was wonderful, the only negative was that the only choices were blackwatch and royal stewart. Thanks for the comments though, now I know for next time, although next time will probably be a Bear.

[Mike n NC]

Then I guess congratulations are in order on the new kilt!!

Mike