Traditional kilt length

[Blu (Ontario)]

From what you describe, your kilt is probably at the right length now. A traditional kilt should be worn well above the hips - (well above where men tend to wear trousers these days.) I'm exactly the same height as you and a couple of my kilts are 25" from waist band to selvedge (hem). They rise to just under the ribcage. Also a kilt that is too short might look strange if worn with a formal type jacket or waistcoat. IMHO making this kilt shorter would be a mistake.

[kiltimabar]

I am convinced that the reason so many people at Scottish games wear their kilt so long (below the knee or even lower) is really accidental. Because the kilt is traditionally made with the high rise up to the rib cage--no doubt necessary for warmth in winter Scotland but not in summer California--and since they are not used to wearing anything that high, they wear it at the belt line they are used to. Then the kilt winds up too long.

When I had my second kilt made, I had them do it two inches shorter so I could wear the belt line normally and still have the bottom at the place I wanted. What gives me the right to wear it at the waist and not at the ribs? The same right everyone has to wear the bottom edge where they want to have it.

Dave S.

[motorman4life]

FWIW, I prefer my kilt to fall at the bottom of the kneecap. I usually measure from where I wear my pants (and shorts) to the center of the kneecap, but I end up wearing it a tad lower (on my hips) and the length seems about right for me. I have tried pulling it up higher (near the ribcage) and it feels really odd to me, both at the top and the bottom.

I think it really is a personal preference thing. Do what feels best for you and don't worry about what everyone else may think! If you want to see some examples of various lenghts, look at some of the pics on my site (link below).

[Scotus]

It's a very personal thing. Mid-kneecap is fine. I like the kilt to fall at toward the top of the kneecap. Something to keep in mind with the traditional, however, is that it can be place an inch or two above the navel (I think it's best above the navel). If you haven't, try wearing it slightly higher before trying to change the kilt. Wearing it a little higher is perfectly acceptable. I personally don't understand the aversion that men who are new to the kilt have to the high length of the traditional. I know we wear pants lower, but the traditional kilt is just that... traditional. It doesn't (thankfully!) change with the fashions.

[Granite]

Decisions, decisions...lots to consider...I suppose it just feels a little bit odd wearing the full traditional because it sits high around the navel.

Compared to the shorter hire kilts that most of us in Scotland probably started out with whilst attending, for instance, a wedding, and from there its a leap into - 'I want my own kilt, in my own tartan!'

[Geoduck]

I'd like to echo the welcome, always good to have more around here.

A few months ago, I stopped into one of the local kilt shops (Seattle acutally has 3, if you count Utilikilts) and was talking with the owner. He basically told me that most Americans wear our kilts longer than is traditional, not a bad thing, mind you, just a trend. I myself try to keep my kilts right about mid knee cap, but during the day, walking the dog, living life etc. I end up cinching it up. I guess that I just need to get more excercise and the fact that my waist is not holding up the top half as well, will fix its self.

Just a couple thoughts.

[Thistle Stop]

I always think mid-knee is the best length on most people, but some guys look quite nice in a shorter length, and it's really all up to you and what you like. I agree with some of the previous comments that if you wear the waist at navel height, as it's supposed to be, you may find the length is all right. The general rule of thumb used by kiltmakers to determine if they've been given an accurate measurement by an absent customer is that the length is about 1/3 of the person's height, which for you would be 24.5 inches. That's a fairly long kilt. I think 24" is probably a better length for you, if you have average proportions in your build.

Having a kilt shortened is not such an easy thing, because it has to be taken off the waistband -- a traditional kilt should not be hemmed; it won't hang right or look right; it needs to have a selvedge at the bottom. But it can be shortened at the waist by a kiltmaker, certainly.

To measure for the length of a new kilt, kneel on the floor with upright posture and have someone else measure from your navel to the floor with a yardstick or metrestick. Then subtract one inch from the measurement to give you a mid-knee length -- adjust accordingly if you prefer the kilt shorter or longer.