Making do, length-wise...

[Martin S]

Length seems to be a matter of taste and comfort.

I recently ordered a new 5-yarder, sending my measurements calculated very carfully, both on my body and on my other kilts.

I asked for waist-to-knee : 22 inches.
Reply from supplier : this must be a mistake; it is too long for a man of 66 inches height.

Go understand !

Looking at old British military photos, I see kilts were worn just above the knee.
Looking at North American kilt wearers, it is often below the knee.
I was told, 40 years ago, a kilt should barely touch the ground when kneeling.
Today, some kilt-makers recommend the bottom edge should be an inch & a half from the gound.

Added to this, we are all shapes and sizes and all wear our kilts in different ways. What may look too long one one man will be appear to short on another.

Martin

[McClef]

What has been considered the correct length has indeed varied, my first kilt, which I was given, came to slightly above the knee and I was advised that this was the "correct Highland length".

Most "off the peg" stuff seems to be either 23 or 24" which suits me fine but can be a nuisance for those who don't meet this assumed average.

But I am surprised that Martin's supplier should make a similar assumption especially he is the one who is going to be wearing it and not them!

[Pleater]

I'm 65.5 inches and I wear my kilts 24 inches long, and they are just short enough not to be caught behind my knee when worn with a 1 inch wide belt - the wider the belt the shorter they are, unless I wet the leather and wear it pulled tight until it dries, which curves it and so it rides lower.

If 2 inches shorter, that would put the hem at the top of my kneecap - slightly brief for me, I think, but perfectly acceptable for many.

As for 22 inches being too long - maybe if the kilt is down around the hips - but hipster kilts tend to be worn long anyway -

But -hey - it's your kilt - if you order it 22 inches then you should get one 22 inches.

These days a length of 26 inches should not be all that unusual. People are growing taller these days, and if the kilt is being made from a 56 inch wide fabric there should be no problem if there is a good selvage. Even 28 inches long could be done using a few extra inches of cloth for the waist band and belt loops instead of taking them from the spare strip in the middle.

It might mean that many cheaper kilts are not going to be suitable - but it might also mean that there is less competition for those kilts which come onto the market which are the right length.

[O'Neille]

I find that I like to wear my casual and five yard kilts at the top of the knee cap. I prefer to wear my 8 yard wool kilts a little lower maybe a half inch. When kneeling, it gives me a touch over an inch from the floor. For me it's just where they feel comfortable. O'Neille