Are kilts getting longer?

[McMurdo]

I would first have to ask if they had ever worn the kilt before. Many people regardless of geography rent kilts and prince charlies for their wedding, many times this can result in either an ill fitting kilt or perhaps a groom and groomsmen that do not realize how the kilt should be worn.

[bricelythgoe]

That is how I wear my kilt. I would not wear a pair of shorts that is above the knee. Just not comfortable for me. I know that it is not 'traditional'. Oh well.

[zenney19]

That is how I wear my kilt. I would not wear a pair of shorts that is above the knee. Just not comfortable for me. I know that it is not 'traditional'. Oh well.

thats my view on it too. i wear my shorts over my knees so why not the kilt as well?

[Jock Scot]

thats my view on it too. i wear my shorts over my knees so why not the kilt as well?

Perhaps the answer is: "..... because that is not how the kilt is worn"?

[Ancienne Alliance]

Perhaps the answer is: "..... because that is not how the kilt is worn"?

Hmm, perhaps...


Best,

Robert

[zenney19]

i disagree with the view that if a kilt is a celtic garment, it must be worn in that fashion.

its a piece of clothing, and people should be allowed to wear it how they want. if your not scottish you can wear a kilt, but you have to wear it in the traditional fashion? i don't think so.

and above all else, its just the knees folks.

[McMurdo]

i disagree with the view that if a kilt is a celtic garment, it must be worn in that fashion.

its a piece of clothing, and people should be allowed to wear it how they want. if your not scottish you can wear a kilt, but you have to wear it in the traditional fashion? i don't think so.

and above all else, its just the knees folks.

Mod Hat Off

It is not a "Celtic garment" it is in fact Scottish National Dress. If you are wearing a traditional kilt it should be worn at the traditional waist, anything else and it looks too long.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

i disagree with the view that if a kilt is a celtic garment, it must be worn in that fashion.

its a piece of clothing, and people should be allowed to wear it how they want. if your not scottish you can wear a kilt, but you have to wear it in the traditional fashion? i don't think so.

and above all else, its just the knees folks.

As has already been pointed out, the kilt isn't a Celtic garment, it is a specifically (and one might say, uniquely) Scottish garment. That said, one is of course at liberty to wear it as one pleases-- but one does so at their peril when viewed by those who know what the "proper form" is supposed to be.

Proper form has the hem of the kilt resting at the top of the knee, and under no circumstances longer than the middle of the knee. Now this may seem arbitrary to some-- rather like having the cuff of a trouser leg reach to the shoe, rather than stopping several inches above the ankle-- but like so many things in life there is a reason behind it. Anyone who actually wears a kilt, as opposed to those who have adopted wearing it for latent counter-cultural reasons, will tell you that the kilt is worn high to keep the pleats, especially when damp, or wet, from sawing away at the tender skin at the back of the knee when walking. Now it may be conceivably possible to prevent this from happening by wearing the kilt lower-- the hem below the knee-- but when this is done the visual effect is that of a man wearing a tartan skirt.

Just as trousers with the legs too short make the wearer look like a hick from the sticks, a kilt worn too long makes the wearer look like he's put on Aunt Minnie's skirt. This awkward look is exacerbated when the hose are pulled up to the bottom of the knee, with the result that it appears as if heavy knit tights are being worn under the kilt. Equally bad, in my view (and probably that of anyone else who sees people dressed in this manner), is the over-long kilt worn with scrunched down socks-- this gives the wearer the appearance of those thick set, mannish, "women-in-tweeds" one associates with the English mystery films of the 1930s. Probably not a look most gentlemen wish to cultivate or emulate...and certainly not how the Scottish kilt is intended to be worn.

[pdcorlis]

Snip... Many people regardless of geography rent kilts and prince charlies for their wedding, many times this can result in either an ill fitting kilt or perhaps a groom and groomsmen that do not realize how the kilt should be worn.

My thoughts exactly Glen. I've never hired a kilt but I suspect the options often end at waist size. Can someone enlighten me please?

As for current trends, fashions fade, style is eternal.

[Marshal Moroni]

Like BriceKolob said, mid-knee cap or at the bottom of the knee is most comfortable for me too. When I can I have my kilts made a bit longer I do, otherwise I have to wear the off the peg a bit lower than I would prefer, but just don't feel comfortable sharing that much of myself.

Maybe its a delayed reaction to the ridiculously short, short pants that we wore in the 70's.

Cheers,

Marshal Moroni