Kilt Lengths in Gathering Photos

[starbkjrus]

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.

I'm not a MOD but I play one on TV......

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/i...resting+letter

[DWFII]

Yes, that's the one (thanks Dee).

The interesting thing to me is that even in Scotland, among Scots, we see this "tradition (history, photographs, advice from elders) be damned attitude" in which the kilt is worn in as iconoclastic a way as possible, especially among the younger generations. But then, as someone else remarked, the Scots, themselves may know less, and have less interest in knowing, about kilts and Scotland's National Dress, than people anywhere/everywhere else. It has been said (I have no way of verifying it) that there are more kilts worn in the US per percentage of the population than in Scotland.

All that said, a kilt, especially an 8 yarder made of 16+ ounce wool, does tend to slip down over the course of a day...especially for those people who have no hips to speak of (think there is a one inch difference between my waist size and my hips)....but I'm used to "hitching up" my jeans so doing the same for a kilt is no biggie.

[Mike in Dayton]

I like mine to be at the top of the knee but it does ride down with wear during the day. At a local establishment called "The Pub' all the waiters wear kilts. All the kilts are a normal length of around 23 to 24" but they wear them at a jean waist level. This puts the kilt way below the knee. I have commented to the manager about it. I get the same response every time: "well you know these young guys. It is a carry over of the sagging pants look".

Mike

[Chas]

When I was up in Dumfries and Hawick I saw many pipe bands. Most, if not all, had 'youth' members (8 - 20 year olds). Most of these youth members wore their kilts too long. They had been issued with a kilt that they would 'grow into'. Might it not be that many of the people that we are seeing today are wearing their kilts longer because they have always worn their kilts longer?

Regards

Chas

[gilmore]

I like mine to be at the top of the knee but it does ride down with wear during the day. At a local establishment called "The Pub' all the waiters wear kilts. All the kilts are a normal length of around 23 to 24" but they wear them at a jean waist level. This puts the kilt way below the knee. I have commented to the manager about it. I get the same response every time: "well you know these young guys. It is a carry over of the sagging pants look".

Mike

Another thing may be the waist. The kilts----at least the traditional ones---are made to be worn with the waist two inches or so above the navel. Some older guys (not mentioning names or giving examples) have the avoir dupois (expanded stomach) to keep them there, whereas younger guys and others with flatter stomachs do not, so the kilt is more likely to slide down over time.

[Urchurdan]

Any kilt maker/hirer that I know, when measuring your kilt, gets you to kneel on the ground with your legs and back straight - when you do this, the bottom of the kilt should just touch the floor, this puts the kilt when standing slightly above mid knee.
I wear my kilts in the military fashion with a high waist, a lot of young guys get their kilts measured this way, then proceed to wear them like jeans on their hips, this means that the kilt falls away to low - well for my eyes anyway.
However, I personally think that some people wear them too high above their knee, and I think that look is a bit naff as well.
I saw one man with a kilt that had been made to sit on his hips, and was also too high above his knee, and the resulting effect made him look like he was (like my granddaughter in a previous post here), wearing a mini skirt.
It pays to try and get it right, the wrong length, and you can end up being ridiculed. This is one time when attention to detail is worth it.

[Nick the DSM]

Another thing may be the waist. The kilts----at least the traditional ones---are made to be worn with the waist two inches or so above the navel. Some older guys (not mentioning names or giving examples) have the avoir dupois (expanded stomach) to keep them there, whereas younger guys and others with flatter stomachs do not, so the kilt is more likely to slide down over time.

***.

Mine tends to slide down especially the great kilt.

[Riverkilt]

Jay pegged it - as oft pointed out on this forum its the camera angle.

Take the same shot standing and another shot squating about waist level and the kilt will appear different lengths in each photo.

Secret is to ask the photographer to squat....

And yes, there can be slip and sag too...especially an olde guy with a beer belly. One more argument for hidden suspenders with a kilt.

Ron

[Dixiecat]

I had a look at the dress code for highland dancers of the SOBHD (Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing). The dress code does not get updated very often (this year was the first time in 10yrs or so) and, I imagine, could be used as a reference point for 'preserved' kilt lengths.

The guideline for both male and female Premier dancers state:

Kilt: Any clan or district tartan is acceptable. The length of the kilt is to the top of the knee.

No height for hose is stated, but the general fashion is to the bottom of the knee.

[Cavebear58]

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