TFCK "full length" kilt?

**cessna152towser** · 8th November 07, 11:42 AM

I've been wondering how the length of the kilt got set at "Knee length. More than an inch either way and it isn't a kilt."

I don't think anybody set any rule that a kilt has to be knee length to qualify as a kilt. What I said earlier was simply that this appeared to me to be the public perception.
For those of us who are more interested in kilts we would interpret a kilt as a garment having overlapping front aprons.
Thus while most of us would accept the TFCK long kilt as being a kilt, the average person whom the wearer would meet in the street would see it as a skirt.
On the contrary, my box pleat camo skirt and denim cargo skirt have both been favourably commented on as kilts.
I wear them as casual kilts.
You know, I know, and the manufacturer knows these garments are not kilts because they lack the overlapping front aprons. Indeed the manufacturer (Midas Clothing) specifically differentiates their range as kilts (overlapping front apron) and skirts for men (garments which look superficially similar to a kilt but have no overlapping front apron).
However the person in the street sees a man in a knee length unbifurcated garment and perceives it as a kilt.

**Macman** · 8th November 07, 11:49 AM

I wouldn't wear it, but if someone else wants to, fine.

(OT - Aside from Sean Connery, Zardoz starred Charlotte Rampling, which is enough to make me like it!)

**escherblacksmith** · 8th November 07, 12:26 PM

I don't like it as a kilt, but I don't mind long 'skirt' variations, like a sarong.

**Hamish** · 8th November 07, 12:36 PM

It might not come as a surprise to many of you to learn that I did wear (nay, try on) one of Howie's full-length kilts. It was about seven years ago, when he designed one for himself, in black barathea. Being the age I am/was, I was not comfortable in it, but I was invited to try it on and so I did. It was a 6 yarder as I recall and it not only hung beautifully but it swung beautifully too.

At that time, Howie was a keen Night Clubber and he came up with this one to wear when out on the town in Edinburgh with his mates. I believe he made a few for others out there on 'the scene', but it was never his intention to promote it as a regular or day-wear kilt. The barathea certainly looked good on Howie, and probably several others in his age group, but one needed youth and the figure to carry it off.

I do not think it works in leather at all, and it would be massively uncomfortable in a crowded Club. As for the model we see wearing it: I think he was one of a couple of guys who were cajolled into the promotional photo-shoot. He is not a professional model and is seen only in the background of one or two other photos of the many taken on the day. Howie shows that kilt on his website (currently being totally redesigned) and in his catalogue, purely to show what CAN be done should anyone want 'something different'!

[PS: Sorry, but I have no photo of me wearing that kilt!!!!]

**fluter** · 8th November 07, 12:42 PM

Not for me, but as always, I hope that Howie can sell a thousand of them.

I guess that's a "maybe" although I doubt that I'd ever spend that amount just to annoy the K.P. I do like the mini in the same photo, but y'all knew that.

A kilt? Howie certainly knows what a kilt is. E-shrug. A hostess skirt? It can't be a kilted skirt, the apron's backwards. Maybe it's a skirted kilt! Can't wear a belted plaid that way? Sure you can: it's called an arisaid.

Err, ummm, I dunno.

P.S. Yes, one can run in a cassock---I have done--- but you have to hike it up. But then, a cassock is not pleated!!

**McFarkus** · 8th November 07, 01:31 PM

A definite NO!

**McClef** · 8th November 07, 01:41 PM

One normally has something on under a cassock!

I remember how popular the Kaftan used to be - remember Demis Rouusos?

**Makeitstop** · 8th November 07, 01:51 PM

I don't like it, and (kilt or not) I fully expect anyone wearing it would get a lot of crap about it, as it would not be recognized as men's clothing by many. But as always, I say as long as everything I don't want to see is properly covered, wear whatever you want.

Also, even if it didn't offend my limited sense of style, and wasn't obviously way too warm, I still think it would be impractical for my rather physically demanding lifestyle. Running may not be a problem, but I'll bet crouching, climbing, and martial arts (particularly the kind with a lot of elaborate foot work) are not going to be an option, which means I probably couldn't go a full day in one.

**Chef** · 8th November 07, 02:22 PM

I wear a kilt, that is not a kilt so I won't wear it

I think Howie has done as good a job as anyone in stretching the concept of what a kilt is. Personally I much prefer most of his creations to many others like the Utilitkilt (no offence meant, I just don't like them). I'm sure it will appeal to some but personally I think it looks daft.

**McGurk** · 8th November 07, 02:28 PM

Originally Posted by Makeitstop

I don't like it, and (kilt or not) I fully expect anyone wearing it would get a lot of crap about it, as it would not be recognized as men's clothing by many. But as always, I say as long as everything I don't want to see is properly covered, wear whatever you want.

Also, even if it didn't offend my limited sense of style, and wasn't obviously way too warm, I still think it would be impractical for my rather physically demanding lifestyle. Running may not be a problem, but I'll bet crouching, climbing, and martial arts (particularly the kind with a lot of elaborate foot work) are not going to be an option, which means I probably couldn't go a full day in one.

Really baggy ankle length garments are not suited to a beginner martial arts, but I aspire to reach the grade where I can wear them (Specificly, Hakama).

I practice (well, not in the last few months) Aikido, where it is traditional for the grades of 1st Dan and above to wear hakama, it takes a little getting used to, but soon becomes of little hinderance (save for the warmth...).