Are kilts getting longer?

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

As for the photo above as it is solders I'd have to say that the kilts worn were most likely not made for them, therefore, it would be difficult to use that photo as a guide.

Glenn, you have just pointed out one of the pitfalls of relying on photos of soldiers when discussing Highland attire.

The military issues clothing in one of three sizes:

(1) Too small;
(2) Too big;
(3) Not available.

The other pitfall is that soldiers only come up to regulation standards during inspection. So, as in the photo of the two soldiers (above), you will see all sorts of minor variations, to say nothing of the distortions caused by the camera.

[McMurdo]

Cavebear
I must apologize it was not my intent to be so snappy, I see myself as mostly a traditionalist, as such some of the modern conventions have me shaking my head. Nevertheless I should have shown more courtesy, and for that I apologize.

I would still contend that if the kilt was that low then either the gentlemen were wearing them too low or perhaps they had slipped down over the course of the day. I will comment no more in this thread.

[Paul]

I had a look through the RRS guidelines for dress and is it just me or does this outfit look wrong?

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I had a look through the RRS guidelines for dress and is it just me or does this outfit look wrong?

Well, for my money, the jacket looks too long in the body, as does the waistcoat. Rather than wrong, I'd say it looks awkward, as though it was assembled for a photo shoot rather than being a photograph of a RROS officer in a properly fitting mess dress uniform. The camera angle (shooting down) doesn't help, either.

(Just a thought, but could this have been photo shopped?)

[Paul]

Well, for my money, the jacket looks too long in the body, as does the waistcoat. Rather than wrong, I'd say it looks awkward, as though it was assembled for a photo shoot rather than being a photograph of a RROS officer in a properly fitting mess dress uniform. The camera angle (shooting down) doesn't help, either.

(Just a thought, but could this have been photo shopped?)

I'm not sure.
I thought all of the sizing, mix of colour and just generally the various garments worn just don't look right together at all.

By the way here's a prime example of "it should fit; but he's got it too far down"

I'll let others further criticise the outfit if they wish ;)


P.S.
who showed these guys how to tie ghillie brogues?!

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

By the way here's a prime example of "it should fit; but he's got it too far down"

Three quick observations:

(1) The top of the kilt should be about even with the middle button of the waistcoat.

(2) If wearing a waistcoat, don't wear a belt. If you need a truss, wear it under you kilt, don't use a kilt belt as a substitute.
.
(3) If your kilt is too long it will look as though you are wearing woolly tights rather than kilt hose. Keep the top of your hose at least an inch below the bottom of your knee-cap.

[JRB]

I'll let others further criticise the outfit if they wish ;)

One more thing...he needs a nice box to stand on.

(I would also say his sleeve is a bit too long.)

[O'Callaghan]

I always wear my trousers on my hip, but I also always wear my kilt so that the rise starts just above the navel, IOW the drop is from the top of the navel. I would prefer the kilt to finish just above my knee, but they tend not to, for a couple of reasons. Firstly, if they are off the peg, they will be a little long, because my legs are a little short. Secondly, if they are made to measure, or at least custom length, I have to compromise between getting the front as short as I want and having the back too short. The best I can seem to do without having it too short at the back seems to be for it to come to the top of the knee, whereas I might wear it an inch or two above if I wasn't concerned the back would be too short. I suspect that the only way to overcome that is to be measured in person by the kiltmaker, instead of giving my measurements over the Internet!

As for low jeans, I never have a problem with showing my underwear when wearing low cut jeans. They key is to wear brief enough underwear, which I suppose is not in style, but never mind. Most of those who are flashing their underwear are doing it on purpose, and this fashion apparently originated with 'gangstas' trying to look like people who had been arrested and had their belts confiscated so they couldn't hang themselves in the cells. I have no wish to emulate some kind of jailbird.

The people who wear long shorts made me laugh. Personally, I wouldn't be seen dead in shorts that finish below the knee. I like my shorts to be short. You see some people online commenting that short shorts are only for women, but that's only the current fashion trend, and in the long run fashions never last that long. I can remember making fun of old pictures of soccer players from the thirties because they wore their shorts below the knee, which we considered hopelessly old fashionned in the '70s, for example. These fashions change, and I am too old to care what is in, I'm afraid. I just like what I like. I can understand why some feel that strongly about kilts that are that long, even if I am less concerned myself.

As for long kilts being in style with youths, I think that some of the punk/goth kilts that I have seen are cut long because they have pinch pleats. That is one style of pleat you won't see much discussion of on this board, because it gives the appearance of a pleated garment without necessarily giving you enough material to drape between the knees, hence knee length isn't enough to maintain modesty on a man in a pinch pleated punk kilt.

[Cavebear58]

12345

[Deil the Yin]

Wow. Looks like that honeymoon didn't last too long! :P

[QUOTE=Paul.;790952]By the way here's a prime example of "it should fit; but he's got it too far down"