Which one first?

[Ian.MacAllan]

I forgot to mention length; sorry.

"Proper length" is very much a matter of personal taste, though the concensus of the fashion mavens seems to be between the top and the middle of the kneecap. I wear my kilts between two inches above the top of the kneecap, in hot weather, and the bottom of the kneecap in bitter cold weather. I just put the kilt where I want it and secure it there with a kilt belt. This may mean that, in some people's opinions, none of my kilts actually fit me; if so, well, so be it. I'm happy with them.

And IMHO lengths below the kneecap or more than three inches above it quickly cease to look masculine; a cultural bias perhaps, but there it is.

I have one SK, the microfiber Hiker, and I agree with Finn that its elastic waistband is not satisfactory. The waistband does not hold the kilt in place. A kilt belt solves that problem.

One of the basic decisions you have to make in buying anything is whether to go for cheap or for quality, and the difficulty comes from there being good reasons on both sides, depending on your situation. In all probability, only you know your situation well enough to make a wise decision. I went both ways over the course of the first year and am, on the whole, happier with both extremes than with the middle. But high, low, and middle are themselves subjective; my high ($200---$300) is not high to many people.

Best wishes.

.

[Ozman1944]

My 2 cents;
SWK Thrifty is fine, (I have 4) but the Standard is a bit more 'outdoorsey' for the most part. I wouldn't go rock climbing in one though.
As to length; I really feel a Kilt way below the knee cap looks like you bought one too big for you. A bit like wearing Granpa's big kilt when you were eight years old.
I too hitch it a bit higher for Summer, then lower for Winter; but never below the kneecap totally.
But of course, I always reckon; "Wear what you like, when and where you like, and how you like!
I'm with 'Riverkilt' on this one.

[Thanatos]

After reading the thread and thinking about it all, I am leaning towards getting the SWK heavyweight shadow tartan, and crossing my fingers that the 24 inch length will be right, and since I plan to wear it on my hips, I'll order it with that size.

Thanks again everyone!

[Sionnach]

So, when all is said and done- you might post a picture for us.

[Carolina Kiltman]

My tuppence worth here.

I have no experience with SWK or SK, other than seeing some of the latter on athletes at the games, and a few hanging in one of the vendors' tents. (these were in children's sizes.) I have bought accessories from both them and am well pleased with those. (I need a kilt length of 26")

I am a great devotee of "Scotty" Thompson, and am in compleate agreement with him on the length. Mid-knee is the absolute longest a kilt should be. To the top of the knee-cap is best. Shorter (only a little) is still acceptable. Below the knee is NOT!

Yes I wear my trousers below my real waist (the rise is too short in all the off the peg types, and I am not into mortification of the flesh, especially that flesh

A kilt made to your specifications is truly the best way to go. If money is tight, then go for a poly/viscose from USAK, even go "casual" (less fabric, wider pleats, but still it will fit correctly and look good.)

[ChattanCat]

Once you have a tank, you won't want anything else.

[Thanatos]

Well, I just submitted my order to SWK!

Along with the SWK heavyweight black shadow tartan, I bought the nylon cargo sporran, the sporran hanger, and a kilt hanger.

I just hope I ordered the right fitting size, because according to the SWK site, your pants size is usually 1-2 inches more than what the tag says, and after I measured my waist with a measuring tape, that proved to be true. Bah, the anticipation of it arriving is gonna kill me...

Thanks again for everyone's help and advice!

[Sionnach]

It'll arrive Tuesday! Well, maybe Wednesday. Jerry makes it very easy to exchange if the size is wrong. Enjoy your jonesing.

[Finn]

Enjoy your new kilt!

[SteveB]

What! your kilt isn't coming through the door yet? Jerry must be slowing down.

My SWK Standard landed the day after I ordered it...Minnesota to Massachusetts in 35 hours. The jonesing will not be long, and the kilt will be a great start. If the kilting works for you a USAK semi-traditional will be great as Rocky makes the kilt to fit you as your measurements are. Better than off the peg.
Enjoy the kilt and post some pic's. You will then receive ample advise.
Slainte