Kilt Length ?

[Paul Henry]

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.

I think we can now begin to see the problem, 23" isn't " the" length of a kilt, but that is a common length, and often on an off the peg kilt that might be the measurement. If you get a kilt made for you, it will be sized to you, and if you legs are long, then of course you will need a longer kilt, that's exactly as it should be.
Wearing a kilt is, and should be ,very comfortable , as long as it's the right size!!

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I think the critical thing here is that some skin be seen between the bottom of the kilt and the top of the hose.

I know there is a tendency among many (and I admit I am guilty of this at times) to wear the hose too high. High hose, combined with a long kilt, are what really look off.

[Donsel]

Personally kilt length has always intrigued me. The proper, traditional, or historical length aside all I know is that the first thing I see on a kilt wearer is the length. I don't offer an opinion to the wearer but if the kilt is too long or too short, I seem to immediately dismiss the wearer. That is, I see nothing else he or she is wearing (jacket, socks, tartan etc). To me, the visual length (and there is a lot of lead way) is more important than the tartan you are wearing. Personally I like the length found at the Tilted Kilt (Google it) as well.

[Tobus]

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.

When you say "large man", I assume you mean in width, not height?

If this is the case, then it sounds like this is more a matter of visual proportion aesthetics, right? I have noticed this as well in some of the pictures I see, especially where the wearer's waist is as wide (or perhaps wider) than the hips. The kilt has no flare to it and seems to take on a boxy shape.

Not sure what the solution would be, but perhaps someone else would have suggestions on how to wear the kilt at the traditional length (top of the knee) while still being able to get some visual shape/flare out of it. Perhaps by using a clever combination of colors between the kilt and shirt/waistcoat/jacket? Surely there's a solution to this without wearing the kilt too long.

The bending over issue is just part of wearing a kilt, even for us smaller guys. You should never simply bend straight over at the waist when kilted. There's lots of potential for exposure, or an "easy peek" for someone else (as illustrated below). Learn to bend from the knees and reach down discreetly for better results and less social discomfort.

[Gregmc]

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

Kilt protocal demands mid-knee cap to the longest. The wearing of the kilt is all about tradition isn't it?

[kc8ufv]

When you say "large man", I assume you mean in width, not height?

If this is the case, then it sounds like this is more a matter of visual proportion aesthetics, right? I have noticed this as well in some of the pictures I see, especially where the wearer's waist is as wide (or perhaps wider) than the hips. The kilt has no flare to it and seems to take on a boxy shape.

Not sure what the solution would be, but perhaps someone else would have suggestions on how to wear the kilt at the traditional length (top of the knee) while still being able to get some visual shape/flare out of it. Perhaps by using a clever combination of colors between the kilt and shirt/waistcoat/jacket? Surely there's a solution to this without wearing the kilt too long.

The bending over issue is just part of wearing a kilt, even for us smaller guys. You should never simply bend straight over at the waist when kilted. There's lots of potential for exposure, or an "easy peek" for someone else (as illustrated below). Learn to bend from the knees and reach down discreetly for better results and less social discomfort.

As an added bonus, if you are picking something up, it's physically safer, too. (less strain on your back)

[The Wizard of BC]

Thomas,

Perhaps I can help you here as I come from the more contemporary kilt wearing world.

I would rather ask how YOU wear your kilt than automatically assume from your first post that something is wrong or 'not traditional'.

The first thing, is forget the 23" or 24" length as those are just what is usually available from 'off the rack' sellers.

The thing you must remember is that it is not the length of the kilt but your body shape and how you wear the kilt that is much more important.


Let me ask you a few questions.

Can you please tell us your height and weight.

Then, if you will, can you tell us where you wear the waistband of your kilt.

These two things will tell us more about what would make a well fitting kilt than anything else.

One thing that I have only seen mentioned once in this thread is the actual reason the kilt is 'usually' worn around the knee caps. That is chafe. If you wear the hem of a kilt at the length of baggy cargo shorts you can suffer quite a case of chafe behind your calves. I've actually see people draw blood trying to hike in the rain.

[xman]

Your hemline should not come close to touching the ground if you kneel. That seems most sensible to me.

[O'Callaghan]

If you are short and wear off the rack kilts, then it seems inevitable that those who are taller and/or can afford custom kilts will complain. Shame really.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

If you are short and wear off the rack kilts, then it seems inevitable that those who are taller and/or can afford custom kilts will complain. Shame really.

I sincerely doubt that the length of "off the rack" kilts has anything to do with traditional kilt length being where it is. Remember it has only been relatively recently that an off the rack kilt was even an option.

However, I will point out that there was a time in history, early 19th cent. and before, when kilts were simply made selvage to selvage and the length of the kilt was the width of the cloth. In those days people did not wear their kilts long if they were shorter than average. They still wore their kilt at proper knee length; but the top of the kilt was worn higher, sometimes covering the bottom of the rib cage.

Maybe those buying off the rack kilts today who find them too long can try doing the same, as an alternative to wearing their kilt below the knee. (Or they can take their kilt in to be hemmed).