Kilt Length ?

[Spartan Tartan]

Like others, there is no offense given or taken by how one chooses to wear their kilt. It is merely an individual expression of fashion and style.

That said, be aware that if you ask or post pictures into one of the Traditional subforums, you will receive feedback/advice that reflects a more "traditional" manner (i.e. kilt above the knee or to mid-knee).

On the other hand, if you seek advice or post pictures into the Modern subforums, you will likely not receive the same type of feedback.

Just my two cents...

[Dale Seago]

That said, be aware that if you ask or post pictures into one of the Traditional subforums, you will receive feedback/advice that reflects a more "traditional" manner (i.e. kilt above the knee or to mid-knee).

On the other hand, if you seek advice or post pictures into the Modern subforums, you will likely not receive the same type of feedback.

Yes, good points to bear in mind.

[Bugbear]

Why does it afend some people if I wear my Kilt Below my knee?
I wear it right below my knee. But I keep seeing and hearing people say above
the knee!!! but I dont like the way it looks and feels.
Thank You

I'm just curious, could you try to describe why the kilt ending above the knees does not look and feel right to you?

[Silent Raven]

i think some people are very strict on tradition weather they are into 'traditional dress' or not every one has an image in mind of some knee showing while wearing a kilt. i myself have a kilt that is too long for me (i have some what short femurs) but i still wear it and when ever i post pictures i get flack about it being to 'low' when in fact its int he right place its just too long (you can see my knees just not as much as others when they wear their kilts) honestly, i don't give it much thought. i enjoy wearing my kilt and i wear it with pride weather its the 'proper' length or not.

Wear it how ever you like as long as it doesn't give a bad name to kilt wearers all over. just be aware that if you post pictures that you will get comments about hiking it up to above thee knee. to each his own!

[MacMillans son]

Why does it afend some people if I wear my Kilt Below my knee?
I wear it right below my knee. But I keep seeing and hearing people say above
the knee!!! but I dont like the way it looks and feels.
Thank You

As others have said, not offended, it's just not the way the traditional kilt is worn.... by most.

Here is another pants analogy, would you wear the legs of your dress trousers just above the tops of your socks? I would suspect not. It's just not the way dress trousers are traditionally worn. And if you did, some people may comment on how high you were wearing them, right? Same thing. It's still your choice, but like most things when we step outside the "norm" people may have feelings, or make comments about it.


Best regards in what ever you choose.

[Phil]

Interesting that you should post this as I have noticed that you yourself prefer your kilts to be on the shorter side. This, however, illustrates someone who prefers a kilt of a longer length -



so perhaps the OP (original poster) will appreciate better why the kilt has evolved to be worn between the two extremes - i.e. at the mid-point or slightly higher of the kneecap. It really is just a matter of personal preference coupled with the desire not to look ridiculous. Others have given the analogy of wearing trousers that are too short - fine if you are a circus clown or a slapstick comedian - not good if you want to appear as a well-dressed member of mainstream society.

[KenB]

I have no problem with anyone wearing their kilt well below their knees, draping on the shin. However, I am a more traditional kilt wearer and that is my preference.

[OC Richard]

What I find rather amazing is the stability of kilt length over the centuries.

Yes in the 18th century some examples have the kilt a bit above the knee. But overall, the top of the knee has always been the norm.

In the 17th century



in the 18th century



throughout the 19th century





and into the 20th



You do see, in modern civilian pipe bands, a tendency to wear the kilts too low



Here is one of the world's finest bands, with kilts around mid-kneecap, the modern pipe band standard, which looks fine to me



I'm not saying that the way men have worn kilts for the last 300 years is "right" and every other way is "wrong". But it is what people who have been around kilts are used to seeing and it has centuries of tradition behind it.

[figheadair]

Why does it afend some people if I wear my Kilt Below my knee?
I wear it right below my knee. But I keep seeing and hearing people say above
the knee!!! but I dont like the way it looks and feels.
Thank You

As one might expect, I'm firmly in the traditional camp, not to mention that I used to run hills in mine and above the knee is so much more practical for that.

I'm intrigued. What is it that you find doesn't look or feel right when worn in the 'traditional' way?

[Thomas H]

I am a large man and the 23" kilt just looks like a box on me and has no
look of coverge .And when I bend over I feel Naked. Just my feelings.
makes me feel un-comfortable. I prefer 24" to 25" kilts.