Are kilts getting longer?

[Cavebear58]

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[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.

[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

[beloitpiper]

I don't think kilts are getting longer. In fact just the opposite--they're getting shorter! Look at old military kilts and they reach the ribs, but kilts now reach the navel (and then "modern" kilts go only to the hips!). Having said this, I think people are just wearing them lower because men unaccustomed to kilts feel more comfortable with them being to the middle or the bottom of their knee.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

If these same guys had rented tuxedos, they would have worn the trousers on their hips instead of at their waist. The problem is that most men don't know how to wear trousers, let alone the kilt. As far as wearing the kilt below the knee goes, well in my opinion that's when it starts to look like a "man skirt" instead of a kilt. How was it the venerable J. Charles Thompson described the look in "So You're Going To Wear The Kilt"? Oh yeah-- he called it "trollopy", which it most certainly is.

[Jock Scot]

I would not mind betting a Pound that you could put this phenomenon down pure ignorance. Just because they are Scottish does not mean that they know how to wear the kilt. With my tongue placed firmly in my cheek, don't forget that most members on this site have at least a better than fair idea of how the kilt should be worn, even if they choose to ignore that fact for most of the time!Many Scots will only think about the kilt and hiring it, for an occasion such as a wedding.What a shame.

[SteveB]

tuppence for the thread.
Kilt wearers are wearing their garments overall in a different manner.
For many young men the lower garment sits only two inches above the widest part of the hip. This is where their body expects to support the garment, whether it be trousers, jeans, "shorts", or a kilt. The result is the kilt's hem is now a few inches lower than it would otherwise be, sometimes an inch or two below the knee. (Observation on this side of the pond.) This is why the aprons often look a little bit wrong. Some flair out at the side, some push the reverse pleat out at the side, and others puff up just above the sporran. This is obvious when the fell is observed to end below the hip. To many of these gents the definition of "waist" is the top of the hip and not the bottom of the rib cage. This results in a difference of about five inches on some of us. Next add in the Kilt Hire, and what is available off the peg. Not all of us are built the same, but the kilts are made as if we are. Many times the hem starts in the right place but quickly slides down until the support section of the kilt hits a wide enough platform to stop, if there is one.

My observation is that most Americans wear their kilts at the mid knee, whilst most Scots wear the kilt above the knee. Your observations may differ.

Slainte

[Ancienne Alliance]

I hope not !


Best,

Robert