Kilts Worn at Long Length

[Larry124]

From katmills – see the recent pic (and many other pics) in the “Kilt Do's and Don'ts” Topic.

I see this most frequently. Since I'll be at Dragoncon this weekend, I'll be seeing more of it. I kinda give a little twitch when one of these walks by. Utilikilts was there last year in the vendors area... I just wish they would hand out a how to brochure with each kilt sold.

Amen.

Is wearing the kilt to cover the knees and beyond a "standard" length problem? Not every man is six foot tall.

Or a vender decision to sell whatever they brought?

Or an (American?) obsession that if the length is to be wrong, better it be too long than too short? Better a skirt than a miniskirt? Some choice.

When AmeriKilts vends they use the kneel-down test.

Or a stubborn resistance to or discomfort in wearing a kilt above the jeans/shorts waist?

Or they ride down with wear?

Or just a young person's style that particularly in a contemporary casual kilt we’d might as well get over it?

Or (lasses and lassies chime in - much experience at choosing length) the look that you like the best on you and that feels most comfortable.

I’m six-foot tall so in a traditional kilt design 24” length is fine.
But for hot summer nights particularly, my casual kilts are comfortable at 22.5" (Sport Kilt) or 23” (Celtic Croft Homespun) or even 22” (AmeriKilts that I wear at jeans waist.)

[Charlie Mc.]

Utilikilt actually tells people to wear their kilts at the bottom of the knee. Longer than is traditional no doubt, but you can't really blame folks for wearing their kilts where the manufacturer tells them to. Remember most of these folks have never worn a traditional kilt. That being said, I really don't like the overly long kilt look and you see it most often with contemporary kilts. Personally I wear my utilikilt about at my navel. I like the look much better and find it more comfortable. Wearing the kilt above the jeans waist is also much more slimming for those of us with a bit more in the midsection. That is my second biggest complaint about utilikilts. A lot of guys you see wearing them have their gut hanging out over the waistband. This accentuates the gut instead of being slimming.

[Kilted_John]

Charlie's correct. When I worked at UK HQ, we always sized people so the kilt would be at the bottom of the knee. I actually caught some flack from some of my coworkers for gettting a nightwatch camo hemmed up to traditional kilt length for me. But, I was tired of wearing something that was almost calf-length on me (was a medium length - had it chopped to extra-short length).

With respect to the beer guts hanging over the waistband of the kilt, that might be because the owner opted for the beergut cut. I never did, since I thought it did look a little odd.

-J

[Larry124]

One (frivolous) answer might be at a certain age to switch from beer to whisky.
Also perhaps easier on the bladder.

I read somewhere that many/most men at a certain age will begin to revert to a baby shape – curved belly – whatever be their Body Mass Index.

When that happens then clothing is most comfortably worn either above or below the gut.
Thus the "old man’s" high-waist trousers.
Or the gut hanging over.

Mid-gut is just not a comfortable option.

But either way a choice of kilt length might accommodate that.

[gilmore]

...
Mid-gut is just not a comfortable option.

...

I have been wearing unbifircated for over 14 years, and don't find that at all true. It's quite comfortable. But if I have to chose, it's higher than lower, as traditional kilts are worn, for comfort.

[Ozman1944]

I also wear my UK at real waist rather than pants waist. Looks better, and more comfortable.

[Jock Scot]

I have no wish to offend, perhaps I will though, so let me apologize in advance.Anyway,kilts worn too long, below mid knee, look downright awful and do the kilt wearing community no favours whatsoever.To be charitable,maybe those new to wearing the kilt know no better and it is down to those that do, to set an example and gently demonstrate the error of the newcomer's ways.To those that like wearing the kilt incorrectly-------------I despair!

[Makeitstop]

As far as I'm concerned, the target is the knee. As long as it's not above or below, it's good enough.

Personally, I prefer mid knee with most of my kilts, but I have no choice but top of the knee and pants waist with the sportkilt, and I usually wear my x-kilt at the bottom of the knee.

[thatcelticband]

my trad kilt is mid knee, mostly because I dont want to show off my fat legs!!! LOL!

[graham_s]

Traditionally the correct length is where the hem of the kilt brushes the ground when kneeling.
That's the length I always wear mine at.