Some questions before I decide

[ForresterModern]

Tall

I am a wee bit shorter than you at 6'5+" barefoot, and more like 6'6.5 in shoes. I weigh just under 280#, so I am probably about as close to your size as you are likely to find on the forum. There may be others closer but not a lot of them. I wear a 26" drop in standard traditional kilts, and 25 in casual kilts, but that is probably too short for me even worn as a casual. It will be practically impossible for you to get an off the rack kilt, as Scotty says above, so get used to the concept of paying a bit more for a custom job. But it can be done, and actually, as others have said, it is easier for a tall guy to pull off a kilt than a short guy, and you are more proportional weight for height than I am.

Tartans are a personal choice----generic or district tartans are common enough and relatively easy to find and will not offend any particular clansmen if you run into them, while a family tartan does leave you open for some questioning if you have NO affiliation with that clan, but probably won't get you beat up in a back alley (especially being your size).

If you are just wanting to try it out and not sure you want to dive in with a big out of pocket expense you should probably start with a common tartan like black watch or isle of Skye or any of the others folks have mentioned, and look for someone who can custom fit you in a kilt made from Polyester-Viscose (PV) which is a decent synthetic material available in a variety of tartans. It shouldn't set you back as much as a wool kilt will and will allow you to figure out if you like the way you look kilted or not, and whether you want to continue along this path.

Hang around the forum, ask questions (like the very appropriate ones you have in this post), or lurk if you don't feel comfortable, but learn from a lot of very talented and intelligent folks on this site. Don't worry you will be fine. But at your size I would definitely recommend a custom kilt because the worst look you can have is too short a kilt or one worn far too low on your body just to try to get it to not look too short.

Pipers hose are extremely long with 3 or 4 turnovers at the top and should work well for your height. The custom hose alternative is also a good one, but pricey if you are not sure you want to get into the whole highland wear thing. Or you could just wear your hose scrunched down over your shoes until you can find or afford hose of better length.

Beware, this kilt thing is an addiction. Tough to stop once you get that first taste of the magic of the kilt. Enjoy.

[TallGuy12]

Is it only easy for the pretty ones? ;)

I guess I can't rightly answer that until it happens. ;)

Beware, this kilt thing is an addiction. Tough to stop once you get that first taste of the magic of the kilt. Enjoy.

Wow, that was a wealth of info there FM. Thanks a great deal for all of that info. I have read where it is quite the addiction. I believe I am getting closer and closer. I jumped at another addicting thing (a CrackBerry) earlier this year and survived. A bit more research and I'm sure I'll be buying one somewhere.

[ali8780]

I guess I can't rightly answer that until it happens. ;)

Well, be sure to let us know!

[The Barry]

Go for it! You'll look great. You will most likely have to get something custom made, but it will end up fitting you perfectly, so I say again:

Go for it!

And welcome to the addiction!

[Jock Scot]

My brother is your height and he looks awesome in his kilt. I do think that you will have to go down the custom route here and probably with the hose too. I expect you are used to having to search for clothes that fit? Ask as many questions as you like, there is a wealth of knowledge here.

[kiltedsawyer]

First, another welcome from just up I-85 a bit.

There are a lot of fashion tartans, Auld Lang Syne, etc. Just pick one you like and go with it.

Look forward to meeting you at the Stone Mountain Highland Games. You ought to be pretty easy to pick out.

Again, welcome.
David

[The Wizard of BC]

TallGuy,

From a Kiltmaker may I interject a sad note into this discussion.

I have made Kilts for men up to 6'11" and on at least two occasions the total length of the Kilt from top of the waistband to the bottom of the Hem was so long that I was required to buy extra fabric.

The reason for this is - When making a Kilt we normally rip or cut a 4 yard length of 54"-60" wide fabric in half lengthwise, sew the two halves together and the result is what we call an 8 yard Kilt.
If the customers height would result in a Kilt greater than half the width of the available fabric we must buy a full 8 yards of fabric.
With the price of Kilt Wool Tartan what it is I would suggest you speak to a Kiltmaker and have your measurements taken before you go much further in your quest.

If you would like, and have Skype on your computer, I will offer to talk you through the measuring process so that you will know exactly how long a Kilt will need to be for you. With this information you will be able to better assess your options.

My contact information can be found in my signature block below. And Please know that I offer this as a free service and you should feel no obligation nor will I try to sell you one of my Kilts. All Kiltmakers should be willing to do this but I understand that awkward feeling of asking someone to take your measurements when you will be taking your business elsewhere.

You joined this Clan so this is your first benefit.

[ForresterModern]

I was just waiting for one of the kiltmakers to chime in about this. Perfect timing Steve. He is all yours.

Tall, you got a good man to take care of you now. His advice is solid as are his kilts. Good luck.

[piperdbh]

TallGuy,
I'm 6'2", which is probably a little shrimp to you, but, like you, I'm mostly legs. Store-bought kilt hose will most likely fit you, as they stretch about three miles more than you intended them to. However, if you find they don't quite do the trick, there are a number of knitters here (myself included) who could make a pair of them for you.

By the way, ask anything you're wondering about. Chances are, someone else has the same question.
Welcome aboard from your northern neighbor.

[Weasel Mender]

TallGuy,

From a Kiltmaker may I interject a sad note into this discussion.

I have made Kilts for men up to 6'11" and on at least two occasions the total length of the Kilt from top of the waistband to the bottom of the Hem was so long that I was required to buy extra fabric.

The reason for this is - When making a Kilt we normally rip or cut a 4 yard length of 54"-60" wide fabric in half lengthwise, sew the two halves together and the result is what we call an 8 yard Kilt.
If the customers height would result in a Kilt greater than half the width of the available fabric we must buy a full 8 yards of fabric.
With the price of Kilt Wool Tartan what it is I would suggest you speak to a Kiltmaker and have your measurements taken before you go much further in your quest.

If you would like, and have Skype on your computer, I will offer to talk you through the measuring process so that you will know exactly how long a Kilt will need to be for you. With this information you will be able to better assess your options.

My contact information can be found in my signature block below. And Please know that I offer this as a free service and you should feel no obligation nor will I try to sell you one of my Kilts. All Kiltmakers should be willing to do this but I understand that awkward feeling of asking someone to take your measurements when you will be taking your business elsewhere.

You joined this Clan so this is your first benefit.

Tallguy

You have just been given the best advice you will get in this post quoted here. The wizard is good, the wizard is wise.

Weasel