First time in a kilt - Questions

[Shane]

Of course you could just cheat the kilt up a bit and keep it in place with the belt, but I don't know how comfortable that would be.

Shane

[Hamish]

Ron,

I think you have pretty much had your questions answered by our kilted brethren (and female admirer!) but there is an increasingly noticeable, but as yet only slight, difference in what is 'right' in the USA and what is 'right' in Scotland (and other traditional kilt-wearing countries). Anyway, here is my sixpennyworth:

1. What is supposed to hold up the kilt? My belly?

Ideally not the belly! A traditional kilt with the 2" or so 'rise' above the waist, should be tightened with the straps so as to fit well enough without the use of a belt. However, most of us wear a belt because it looks better when we do. There is an exception to this (see your question No.3).

2. The bottom edge of the kilt is supposed to be mid knee?

Certainly no lower than this. Hiding the knees makes the kilt look 'skirty'. Ideally, the kilt should reach the top of your kneecap. If, however, you are wearing it casually, say for walking or hiking, then it is perfectly in order to wear it an inch or two higher so that it does not rub against the back of your knees as you walk or climb.

3. I gather you don't wear the belt with the Prince Charlie?

Correct! A belt should never be worn when you are wearing a waistcoat. Odd glimpses of part of a belt (which is what happens) are distracting, untidy and make you look not only overdressed, but that you have no idea what you are doing!!

4. Where does the belt go? Does it help hold up the kilt or just sit there decorativenly?

Through the belt loops at the back, of you have them. These are belt loops not sporran loops. Otherwise, I wear my kilt belts at the waist, where I would were I sad enough to be wearing trousers.

5. Is that grey jacket what we call an Argyl?

The spelling is 'Argyll', but yes, as far as I can see, with those cuffs, your jacket is an Argyll. A very versatile jacket that can be worn semi-formally or semi-casually.

6. What sort of tie should go with the grey jacket?

A plain, woollen tie in a colour to match one of those in the tartan of your kilt.

7. Where and how do I wear the sgian dubh?

Tucked into the top of your hose. On your right leg if you are right-handed and on the left if your left-handed. Do not worry about how much of the Sgian Dubh is showing - you are not wearing a uniform after all, where everone should be dressed identically! I wear mine with roughly 1½" to 2" showing, but I never measure it!!

8. Is there anything obviously wrong with these pictures?

Apart from the (forgive me) ghastly tie with the Argyll jacket, and the slightly over-long sleeves of both jackets no, not really. I am assuming you have just the one sporran and belt? Because of the silver cantle (top), my feeling is that the sporran is a Dress Sporran (perfect with the Prince Charlie, but a little out of place with the tweed Argyll). The Argyll would look much better with an all-leather day sporran (without a chain!!) and a plain, pronged buckle, belt. The belt you have is also a Dress belt.

I hope I have not been too severe with my comments, but you did ask! On the whole, you look very good indeed and not only does the kilt suit you, but you suit it. You do not tell us if you get to keep these great outfits, but I hope you do and, if so, it would be worthwhile having the sleeves adjusted slightly so that a little shirt cuff shows.

[Robin]

Maybe if you wear it a bit higher (touching rib cage...about 1 inch above the navel...is fine also)...this might solve the "lenght problem".

[Blu (Ontario)]

Completely forget about how you wear trowsers when puting on a traditional kilt. They look really bad if worn down around the hips like pants. Hike it up a bit if needed. I had one of my traditionals made with extra rise... and I wear it just under the rib cage or about an inch above the navel. I like the bottom of my kilts to strike across the top of the knee caps.

most important... enjoy the experience!

blu

[Pleater]

In the three photos the kilt is at three different heights - the first - for a chap with a bit of shall we say - gravitas, I think is fine - but by the third photo it is too long.

I think it is a matter of proportions and where the hem cuts across the leg.

Wearing a shorter than mid knee length is good for the more slender figure, but when the impression is of rather shorter than wide it begins to look wrong - at least to me.

Mid knee is a classic skirt length as it is the most flattering for all figure types- if you have noticed the flower presenters at the Olympic medal ceremonies, in the dark blue suits, their hemlines are mid knee.

Some might think that irrelevant but the general arangement of two legs sticking out from a tube of fabric is a pretty fundamental similarity.

[sorcererdale]

My wife likes my kilt to cover my knees as she said I have bad and knobby looking knees. My two kilts (utilikilts) hang just below my knees. I think part of that could be solved when I buy a 2 1/2 inch wide belt. Right now the kilts hang lower because of the narrow belt I only have for use now.

But I do get compliments on my calves from women who many say I have nice legs, wither with the socks or no socks!

DALE.

Ron,

I think you have pretty much had your questions answered by our kilted brethren (and female admirer!) but there is an increasingly noticeable, but as yet only slight, difference in what is 'right' in the USA and what is 'right' in Scotland (and other traditional kilt-wearing countries). Anyway, here is my sixpennyworth:

<<SNIP>>

2. The bottom edge of the kilt is supposed to be mid knee?

Certainly no lower than this. Hiding the knees makes the kilt look 'skirty'. Ideally, the kilt should reach the top of your kneecap. If, however, you are wearing it casually, say for walking or hiking, then it is perfectly in order to wear it an inch or two higher so that it does not rub against the back of your knees as you walk or climb.

<<BIG SNIP>>


I hope I have not been too severe with my comments, but you did ask! On the whole, you look very good indeed and not only does the kilt suit you, but you suit it. You do not tell us if you get to keep these great outfits, but I hope you do and, if so, it would be worthwhile having the sleeves adjusted slightly so that a little shirt cuff shows.

[Macman]

I think you look great, especially with that smile of pride! I'll just add my two cents on the PC. I often wear mine without the waistcoat, in which case I'll wear the belt. With the waistcoat, no belt.

[KiltedKnight]

IMHO the flashes should be worn much further forward. Somewhere just ahead of the side of the leg.

Chris.

[Bob C]

IMHO the flashes should be worn much further forward. Somewhere just ahead of the side of the leg.

Chris.

Agreed. The front edge of the flashes should be right in the middle of your shin.

Don't let all of our criticism dissuade you. That's a great rig and it looks good on you. Except for that tie in pic #3.

[Robin]

I have bad and knobby looking knees

Don't worry too much about your knees...people will look at your kilt...they really don't care about your knees