21st Century Ankle-Length Kilts

[Kiltman]

I don't think it matters how long the kilt is. A few weeks ago I was at the celebration of Greek Independence day and saw a number of pictures of Greek heros in long skirts!
Men have worn skirts of various lengths for a very long time.

[GlassMan]

The dimensions of kilts were changed from the high rise of the traditional kilt to the low rise of the contemporary hip-huggers yet here we still call the contemporary products such as Utilikilts kilts. But if you place the two kilts one a flat surface with waistband to waistband the utilikilt would look incredibly short. From my perspective the modern kilts seem to expose too much torso for my tastes, but that doesn't stop me from calling them kilts because of the basic construction (double apron front and pleated back).

It seems to me like the TFCK models mentioned here have simply modified the length from a different dimension. Instead of bring the waistband down, they took the hem or selvedge line down. I would definitely not call the result pleasing to the eye, or something that I would wear. I also would never consider it a traditional kilt or an American contemporary Kilt, but it still does have the basic construction of double aprons and pleated back. So to me it just seems like yet another variant (albeit a rather unsightly variant) of the kilt.

It's not something I would ever consider wearing, but because of the construction I don't think it qualifies as a skirt. If we are going to disqualify it from consideration because of its difference in length from a traditional kilt, then by the same token we should disqualify the use of kilt to describe such things as Utilikilts & NeoKilts. Since there seems to be general agreement that the modern contemporary kilts are still kilts despite their deviations from traditional standards, I would submit that we should view these ankle-length monstrosities as a curious variation that is still a kilt but hopefully a version that won't survive the test of the market.

[The Supreme Canuck]

It's not something I would ever consider wearing, but because of the construction I don't think it qualifies as a skirt. If we are going to disqualify it from consideration because of its difference in length from a traditional kilt, then by the same token we should disqualify the use of kilt to describe such things as Utilikilts & NeoKilts. Since there seems to be general agreement that the modern contemporary kilts are still kilts despite their deviations from traditional standards, I would submit that we should view these ankle-length monstrosities as a curious variation that is still a kilt but hopefully a version that won't survive the test of the market.

My thoughts exactly.

[KiltedKnight]

...It's not something I would ever consider wearing, but because of the construction I don't think it qualifies as a skirt. If we are going to disqualify it from consideration because of its difference in length from a traditional kilt, then by the same token we should disqualify the use of kilt to describe such things as Utilikilts & NeoKilts. Since there seems to be general agreement that the modern contemporary kilts are still kilts despite their deviations from traditional standards, I would submit that we should view these ankle-length monstrosities as a curious variation that is still a kilt but hopefully a version that won't survive the test of the market.

You're absolutely right again sir. These bring back to mind the "Man Bag" of the early 1970's which were no more than scaled up versions of womens purses. They were popular with the gay set for a while and then even they stopped using them, perhaps because they were heavier than womens purses, I dunno...

Chris.

[Rigged]

You're absolutely right again sir. These bring back to mind the "Man Bag" of the early 1970's which were no more than scaled up versions of womens purses. They were popular with the gay set for a while and then even they stopped using them, perhaps because they were heavier than womens purses, I dunno...

I think it's because us guys like having both hands free -- for eating and drinking beer with one hand while fending off retched foes with the other.

I'm beginning to think that rules about kilts are like rules about love. The rule only applies to the person who made it.

[Bob C]

The dimensions of kilts were changed from the high rise of the traditional kilt to the low rise of the contemporary hip-huggers yet here we still call the contemporary products such as Utilikilts kilts.

Not all of us.

[Pleater]

Drat.

I was hoping for something smart and good looking, not escapees from Hogwarts.

I think I will go and look at 'firsts attempts at kilting' again.

[toadinakilt]

Hey, no bashing Hogwarts. Harry Potter is t3h r0xr.

[Hamish]

I am going to chime in on this one, and would suggest that unless you have actually seen or tried one of Howie's full-length kilts, you should not criticise them so vehemently.

Firstly, they are not new. Howie came up with the idea at least four years ago and made himself one in black imitation leather exclusively for wear when clubbing - not for day wear. He looked a million dollars in that kilt and even persuaded me to try it on to see how it felt. The feeling was amazing, but I believe that was down to the 'behaviour' of the material - the photos in the TFCK Catalogue and on their website show these kilts in other fabrics/materials which look, to me, as though they are not 'behaving' well. As I say, the sensation of wearing that first kilt was stunning but, when I saw my reflection in a full-length mirror I quickly realised that this style was suited only to slim young men, such as Howie, and not to ageing, full-bodied, middle-aged men, such as myself.

Howie does not, I am sure, see the full-length kilt as the way contemporary kilts are going, or should go - his aim is to show prospective clients what can be done with the kilt, especially with regard to fabrics and materials and, to some extent, with styling..... although, without doubt Howie's TFCK kilts are basically constructed along the lines of the traditional kilt, and are tailored by fully-qualified kiltmakers in Geoffrey (Tailor)'s workrooms. They are certainly far closer to the traditonal kilt than any other maker of contemporary kilts to my knowledge, has produced.

I would agree with most comments expressed here that the kilt should be a knee-length garment (on or fractionally above - but not below), however, for the purpose for which Howie designed his imitation leather kilt - for clubbing - it is probably admirable (moreso on the lithe body of a twenty-something!).

Although I can be as much a 'traditionalist' as the next man (in fact, I have just ordered two more 'tanks' [ugggh! Sorry it's that word!] and a fourth Argyll jacket), I also encourage and will do all I can to promote the development of the kilt. Our beloved kilt has been evolving for a couple of hundred years (some would say much longer), so who are we to put a stop to that evolvement? It MUST be allowed to move forward or the kilt will, without a doubt, stagnate and slip back to becoming just another National Costume to be dragged out if its mothballs for special occasions. I embrace all variations on the kilt - I may not like them all and some I would never wear - but I am overjoyed to know that 'different' kilts, perhaps for particular locations or events, are being created and made available to an increasingly eager and widening consumer base.

Come on, Lads. Live and let live. Let's not be "old fuddy-duddies"! I will be 70 in a couple of months and that, I hope, is a title that could never be given to me. In fact, to celebrate, I'm having another kilt tailored - in snakeskin!

[Josh_E]

I don't care what you call them that guy looked ugly in it.