How high is too high?

[Blu (Ontario)]

Well, I had to throw some (more) clothes on to return some DVDs to the rental store, so I decided to snap a pic anyway before heading to bed. The black Stewart has this yellow running through it; I thought it went OK with the tartan. Yeah, I see some adjustments are going to have to be made (and not just with the kilt!)... etc.

I quite agree with others that this kilt could be worn higher and look good.

Second, I'd like to suggest that a more subdued shirt might be in order. to my eye, it quite overpowers the kilt. A black shirt would definitely work. I also find that black is a "slimming" color. A dark green shirt could also work.

Third, from your description of the "bulk" at the back of the kilt, it sounds as though the pleating under the canvas was not cut away. The solid black I bought a while back is like that... I find it uncomfortable so I'm going to attempt to fix it myself. Barb T's book is a goldmine of information on this stuff.


blu

[GlassMan]

Third, from your description of the "bulk" at the back of the kilt, it sounds as though the pleating under the canvas was not cut away. The solid black I bought a while back is like that... I find it uncomfortable so I'm going to attempt to fix it myself. Barb T's book is a goldmine of information on this stuff.


blu

From my experience with SWK standards, neither of my two have had the excess pleating cut away around the waist. It does make for a rather heavy and hot waistline.

[Rex_Tremende]

From my experience with SWK standards, neither of my two have had the excess pleating cut away around the waist. It does make for a rather heavy and hot waistline.

Is this also true for the heavyweights? I understand from the dialog here that this can be fixed after consulting with Barb's book, is that correct?

[chasem]

Is this also true for the heavyweights? I understand from the dialog here that this can be fixed after consulting with Barb's book, is that correct?

The 2005 heavyweight acrylic that I have is the same, in that the pleats are not cut out.

You could probably do that no problem with Barb's book. I echo KCW's comments on that subject.

[michael steinrok]

So the consensus Rex was that you should wear the kilt a little higher and the kilt looked great! The kilt does look great. To my untrained eyes everything looked fine. I say wear it where it feels right. No one else is in it. Beside most people won't notice an inch at 50 feet!I may have to get a black stewart meself!

[billmcc]

But, how high is too high? I read on another thread that something about military regiments wearing them high (and possibly giving genesis to the second strap). My new SWK actually sits somewhat comfortably with the waistband considerably above my navel - my body is sort of shaped that way.

Traditionally, the top edge of a Scottish kilt should be two inches above your navel. Go higher and it will be very uncomfortable.

[Jerry]

I beg your forgiveness in advance; this post is a jumble of thoughts, in no particular order.

OK - so yee-haw, my SWK Standard pleated-to-the-sett Black Stewart 2006 was waiting for me on my front step when I arrived home from work today.

No, there will be no photos until I get the ensemble pulled together. I do not want to end up on the Dos and Don'ts thread!!

This is my first tank-like kilt, so we are getting to know one another. I am surprised, but not really, at the bulk in the back - tends to droop a little that way, but I guess that's really a solution to another problem. Regardless, it's more lively, has more motion, than any of my other four casual cotton or cotton-blend casual kilts. So I see the difference.

This purchase was a test of sorts. I wanted to see if I liked the SWKs before I purchased a heavyweight shadow in black or saffron wool, to test the sizing, quality of workmanship, etc. The size that I ordered worked well enough (I'm an in-between size), and as I've been wearing it this afternoon, it seems to want to stretch and I want to cinch it another hole on the straps (this is a good thing!) I have no issues with the workmanship.

What I do have an issue with, however it its length. I know that I'm going to have to hem it an inch at least. But if I hike it up enough, it's almost suitable, with the bottom edge skimming just slightly below the top of my knee - a comfortable length for me.

But, how high is too high? I read on another thread that something about military regiments wearing them high (and possibly giving genesis to the second strap). My new SWK actually sits somewhat comfortably with the waistband considerably above my navel - my body is sort of shaped that way. With my wide UK belt, I can keep it there. I mean, it's not an empire waist, but it's higher than most kilts in photos that I've seen posted here.

Second, since I anticipate that I will need to hem this thing, someone mentioned on another thread how to do it, using (I think) a hidden catch stitch. I tried searching for that thread without success. Could someone repeat the information or give a vector to it? I would like to find more information on how, exactly, to execute that stitch.

Thanks for your interest and support,
Rex in Cincinnati.

Rex, I recently visited the Scottish Tartans Museum in Franklin, and had Matt measure me for a kilt. He showed me that the actual proper place to wear a traditional kilt is right at the bottom of the rib cage.

[auld argonian]

Rex, I recently visited the Scottish Tartans Museum in Franklin, and had Matt measure me for a kilt. He showed me that the actual proper place to wear a traditional kilt is right at the bottom of the rib cage.

That's comforting....the Stillwaters that I have are tucked up aboot midway between my navel and the bottom of my rib cage...now bear in mind that I'm aboot 5'10" and that keeps the hem just at the tops of my kneecaps and it's oddly comfortable in that position...it certainly never feels like it's slipping down; it just feels like it's in the right spot.

Now if you had asked me "how high is too high" about thirty years ago, I would have had an entirely different answer.

Best

AA

...did I use the word "aboot" back there...that P1M is having a definite effect on my typing!

[Pour1Malt]

That's comforting....the Stillwaters that I have are tucked up aboot midway between my navel and the bottom of my rib cage...now bear in mind that I'm aboot 5'10" and that keeps the hem just at the tops of my kneecaps and it's oddly comfortable in that position...it certainly never feels like it's slipping down; it just feels like it's in the right spot.

Now if you had asked me "how high is too high" about thirty years ago, I would have had an entirely different answer.

Best

AA

...did I use the word "aboot" back there...that P1M is having a definite effect on my typing!

guid oan ya auld argy... yur nay sae daft arr ya?

[beerbecue]

The fit looks good to me....

I thought this thread was going to be about something else entirely...... :rolleyes: