It's was extremely cold today as I took visiting relatives down to the Inner Harbor in Baltimore and being the kilted one I was the only one not complaining about the cold. The only time I felt uncomfortable was when they were all inside the USS Constellation touring the old sailing ship.

I stayed out on the water front so I could smoke my pipe, and also because you can't get a wheelchair on board. Well, at one point the wind changed and I got a sub-freezing blast right up my kilt.

The only time a real kilt has ever felt cold to me is when I'm seated in that wheel chair. If I'm using my cane, the kilt and an Inverness Cape is always good enough for me.

As for length, I subscribe to the top of the knee rule. And I'm always one who believes that something should be done right the first time. So I would suggest just getting a good, new kilt in the tartan you like rather than buying something and hoping it will look good once altered.