It's HERE!!

[JCheshire]

Okay folks, here we go...I just received my Black Stewart Heavy from SWK and think it's pretty damned groovy. It's my first kilt and so I'm not to sure of a couple of things. Maybe someone here can shed a little light...

First off, in order to have the kilt fall to mid knee, I have to hike the thing up about 3 inches above my belly button. Is that acceptable, or will I look like Scotty McDork?

Secondly, the kilt hose hurt like crazy when I pull them up! Once I get them over the widest part of my calves they seem to be okay but then I can't fold them over to wear the flashes!

Has anyone else had this experience (I won't say trouble) with the SWK kilt length and hose?

Thanks and regards,
Jeff

[Jordan]

About how high it's sitting its hard today without a pic. About your hose I don't know depending on your calfs depends on how they will fit.

[Detroitpete]

SWKs come at a standard 24 inch length--a bit too long for me--so they hit about at the bottom of my knee--but, hey--not a tailored kilt and not as expensive, eh? Where it at your kilt waist and no worries. Now--the hose--I have NO idea, I don't own a pair that I've purchased from SWK. That being said, are you allergic to wool? Also, I have fairly big calves for a guy my size, so I usually order hose one size larger.

[BoldHighlander]

Okay folks, here we go...I just received my Black Stewart Heavy from SWK and think it's pretty damned groovy.

Where's the photos?

Remember, no photos...it didn't happen!

[Nighthawk]

It seems to me that SWK kilts fall on me the way a military cut kilt would, which is how I order my tailored kilts. I like the longer lengths because it can get rather cold here in the winter. I can wear the kilt up higher like a military length kilt, or just snug the kilt down to cover my knees! So that's what I'd say wear it higher when it's warm, and cover your knees when it's cold! As to the hose, I can't wear most normal kilt hose- my calves are huge, given the fact that I'm a 300lb martial artist. So I'd say either order a size larger or get a nicer pair. Gaelic Themes hose have almost NO give, so don't get those if you have larger calves. The Lewis range of kilt hose from the Scottish Tartans Museum are fantastic. I have 4 pairs and love them. They're a bit pricey, but worth saving a month for. http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/hose_lewis.htm Save your allowance for a month and get a pair! You'll be happy that you did.

[Destin_scot]

As to a military length kilt, it has always been my understanding that a military cut kilt, will be slightly shorter, by about 1/2 inch; than a middle of the knee cap cut kilt.

[madmacs]

IIRC i was told it should be about 2-inches below the ribs when i ordered mine waaaaaaaaaaasy back when... which was almost a problem with 27-inch fabric

[Ryan Ross]

As to a military length kilt, it has always been my understanding that a military cut kilt, will be slightly shorter, by about 1/2 inch; than a middle of the knee cap cut kilt.

A kilt cut after the military fashion will fall to the middle of the knee (when fit properly), but will have a very high rise, meaning that its top will be about four inches above the "natural waist" or top of the hip bone.

That is my understanding, at any rate.


Back to the OP, if the kilt is a bit long, there is no reason that you can't have pretty much any tailor hem the bottom with a machine blind stitch; about 20 bucks should get that done. It may not be traditional, but as long as the material is no heavier than, say, 13 oz., it's likely that no one will be able to tell.

As for the hose, I think Nighthawk is right on the money.

[Nighthawk]

A kilt cut after the military fashion will fall to the middle of the knee (when fit properly), but will have a very high rise, meaning that its top will be about four inches above the "natural waist" or top of the hip bone.

That is my understanding, at any rate.

As for the hose, I think Nighthawk is right on the money.

Exactly right! On both. And I suspect the military rise is higher for the same reason that I like it... So you can keep your knees warm!

[ohiopiper]

Kilts are usually worn much higher than we wear p*nts. Mine sits just between my hip bone and ribcage. I thuink it just feels odd at first because we're so used to having our p*nts much power.

As for the hose, I'd put them on the trading post as hardly worn and get a larger pair. I cannot personally recommend the Lewis hose as I do not have a pair, but everyone who does seems to really like them.