Length of kilt - hunting tartan

[Jock Scot]

I am not cleaver enough to put a link to an old thread of mine here, but if you care to hunt through my "old threads" section and find "an interesting letter" you may find it helpful and perhaps reassuring.

[Bugbear]

"Interesting letter," thread by Jock Scot
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-letter-31533/

***
Sometimes the camera angle can make the kilt look a little longer when you post pictures on the forum, so be forewarned...

[Jock Scot]

Sorry, CMcG. The description of the forum gives dates. I was asking about what's considered "right and proper" now... so I chose modern.

You have raised, unwittingly, a much debated issue that is very relevant at present and illustrates a point perfectly.

Thank you Ted for providing the link to that old thread.

[CMcG]

"Interesting letter," thread by Jock Scot
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-letter-31533/

In the "Interesting Letter," it suggest that traditionally one's kilt length should be high enough and hose height short enough to show about 6 inches of leg. I suppose this would be, of course, modified based on the height of the wearer.

To my eye, modern kilt wear look best when one shows the same approximate ratio of leg. People often wear scrunched or folded down socks, so the length of the kilt would need to be longer to compensate.

In the world of modern kilts, that isn't a hard and fast rule, of course. But there is an aesthetic explanation for why it looks good. When no leg is shown, the outfit starts to look quite blocky and doesn't emphasize that one is unbifurcated. If too much leg is shown (i.e. kilt and flip flops), I start to see it as heat beating comfort and not a style choice...

[seanachie]

If too much leg is shown (i.e. kilt and flip flops), I start to see it as heat beating comfort and not a style choice...

Colin, spoken like a man from the Great White North. I can honestly tell you when it is 95F or better and you have just worked all day and come home beat, it can combine both style and comfort. (Disclaimer: Never flip flops but decent sandals) That said I have an old beater kilt that I would wear in the house but if I were going for a meal or the like I would wear something much more presentable. By the same token, I went to a wedding recently with an out door reception. It was inland and warm but I did not dress down for such a formal occassion, I maintained the appropriate level of dress kilted. Didn't want to let the old sages down on all the advice they have dispensed so well.

[Zardoz]

This is kind of a strange question for the Modern Kilt Wear sub-forum... the answer might be "there are no rules, do what you like." I see a lot of people who wear their kilt with scrunched down socks and boots/shoes have the kilt mid-knee or lower.

Sorry, CMcG. The description of the forum gives dates. I was asking about what's considered "right and proper" now... so I chose modern.

So do we need another sub-forum... see prev threads on this.

Traditional kilts from 1980 to present or does modern already include this.

I have kept out of previous arguments on this as I feel I have not been a member long enough.

Chris.

This is a great example of the issue that's caused so much trouble here lately!
As read, this sub-forum is about wearing 'the kilt' any style of kilt, trad, MUG, whatever, after 1980. But as one can see, this sub-forum is generally percieved by many folks as being for "modern" (non-trad) styles

[Tobus]

Never heard that myth about hunting tartan kilts being worn shorter than regular tartan kilts. Where do people come up with this stuff? And how in the heck does it end up being taught as an official kilt-wearing protocol? Bizarre.

I have to second Matt's statement that I think it looks much better for a kilt to be a tad on the short side rather than on the long side. I always aim for the top of the knee, personally. Being mid-knee just looks too long.

[Pleater]

I wear my kilts out and about on the rough heathland and you really do not want to have a kilt that is exactly the right length to be caught in the back of the knee.

If the weather is bad and the edge of the fabric gets wet it can become very painful as it is pulled out of the folded joint.

If the kilt is to be worn indoors or outside only in fine weather then the length doesn't matter so much, except for appearances sake.

Anne the Pleater :ootd: