And, in fact, kilts ride so high because they were originally worn with very short jackets. The "rise" of a kilt (now about 2" above the waist) was to keep a gaposis from forming between the jacket and the kilt (both keeps you warm if there's no gap and keeps your shirt from sticking out in an unsightly bulge. In fact, the original rise was more like 4". With a rise of 4", it would be virtually impossible for a gap to form when you bent over or raised your arms.

B