Kilt Lengths in Gathering Photos

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Someone in a thread here recently posted pictures of a pipe band on parade (either at the Gathering or a recent Highland Games in Scotland, I cannot recall). But I do recall noting at the time that I could not see a knee in the whole band. Every one of them had kilts that reached to the top of their kilt hose or lower, so there was not a knee in sight.

Just looking at photographs of people kilted, across the board, I have noticed a trend that in Scotland it seems fashionable to wear the kilt a bit longer than what is traditionally seen as acceptable.

What I was taught, and what most here on this side of the pond accept as traditional, is that the kilt should be somewhere between the middle of the knee at the longest, and one inch above the top of the knee at the shortest.

What I see being worn by many in Scotland -- even some catalog pictures -- are kilts worn from the middle of the knee to the bottom of the knee.

Here in America, and among older Scots I know, that would still be considered too long. Perhaps this is a case of fashion changing in Scotland while we here in the States still adhere to the more traditional style? (Please note I have not undertaken a serious study of this, it is just something I've noticed over the past few years).

[English Bloke]

...

I'm with Paul here. His Campbell ancient in the photo above is bang on for kilt length... I my humble English opinion I've often seen pictures on here and thought the Kilt was a little high... err but only for me I might add.

[Jack Daw]

We need anti-skid kilts.

[Paul]

I'm with Paul here. His Campbell ancient in the photo above is bang on for kilt length... I my humble English opinion I've often seen pictures on here and thought the Kilt was a little high... err but only for me I might add.

Cheers!

[Bugbear]

My Still water kilt goes to the top of my knee and now does a pretty good job of staying put, but before I altered it to have a rise etc, the top of the kilt wanted to slip down to my waist all the time, which would have made it too long. A tight belt helped a little, but I wonder if some of this is deu to kilts that are "off the peg," and have no rise: casual kilts.

[Urchurdan]

I think its a generational thing, this is a pic of me and the missus with two of the grandkids at the Gathering, I am the old guy wearing it mid knee, the wife's skirt is calf/ankle length, the grandson's kilt is to the bottom of the knee, and the granddaughters 'slightly' above...LoL...Take your pick which one you prefer...

[Jock Scot]

Well alright, I am being slightly mischievous, but I think it is a valid question. What proportion of the people in the parade pictures were Scots?

[DWFII]

Look through the Vintage Photos section...from about the turn of the 20th century to now (?) top of the knee to slightly above the knee seems the norm. Earlier, mid knee to top of the knee may have been at least as prevalent as higher. Earlier than that, if the pictorial evidence (paintings and sketches) is to be believed, the kilt may have been worn quite a bit higher than the top of the knee.

I was also struck by the fact that especially after 1900, the royal family and the Scottish chieftains as well as the military...almost to a man...wear the kilt at knee to or slightly higher--exposing the knee in all its shameful glory.

I was also advised by an historian that the hose should be worn slightly lower than we tend to see it worn. These are kilt hose not knee high socks.

I laughed but thought it was nevertheless true when I read the snippet (posted somewhere here) written by some very famous lord or chieftain in which he observes that wearing the kilt too long looks "trollopy." Not knowing anything else...or any better for that matter...I couldn't agree more.

tioreadh

[Jock Scot]

I think you mean the Post "An interesting letter" that I posted. Perhaps some kind Mod could put in a connection? I am afraid I don't know how to do it. Thanks.

[skauwt]

i use this as my reference when checking kilt length
my great grandfather during world war 1 and grandfather during world war 2
and myself in 2009

i dont think i could ask for better reference when checking kilt length with regards to those old pics i have