inventing new garments

[irmavep]

Is anyone else wearing one of these longer-than-regimental kilts? Or something like a leine? (or is this getting too far out there for xmarks?)

I have three kilts that fall below my knees by at least two inches solid colors mind you, and I wear boots with my socks pushed down. I absolutely love the way they look and when you walk it hits the back of your calf not the tender of knee backside. I posted a similar question here a few months back and I was bombarded with how dare you's? It seems you can wear anything you want with your kilt, make it out of anything you want, but it damn well better be at your knee!!!! or you belong at Tom's.

[bubba]

I posted a similar question here a few months back and I was bombarded with how dare you's? It seems you can wear anything you want with your kilt, make it out of anything you want, but it damn well better be at your knee!!!! or you belong at Tom's.

Nah, not so extreme. With a solid contemporary it isn't a problem with me. Not my choice, mind you, but I see nothing wrong there. That being said, a tartan kilt is a different thing. It shouldn't be longer than mid kneecap.

[Hamish]

I have said it before, and I'll say it again: it's all down to 'visual balance' - how the overall appearance looks.

Personally, I cannot abide seeing kilts (or whatever) on guys where the hemline is below mid-knee, but there are exceptions. Just occasionally it will work if the hose is pushed or rolled down to the ankles, but there are other factors to consider. The height of the wearer; the bodily proportions of the wearer, etc., etc. The wrong sort of kilt on the wrong sort of body can have a disastrous impact - visually. It can make the wearer look all body and no legs, or all legs and no body! It can make him appear fat, or even thin. The colours of the kilt, tartan or solid, can also have an effect on the "Visual Balance".

The worst 'visual' of all is not being able to see flesh below the bottom of the kilt. Kilt hose that disappears up under the kilt is an absolute no-no to the observer!

Some can get away with floor-length and look both good and 'cool'. For example, I have seen and tried on a plain black, full-length kilt made by Howie Nicholsby at "TFCK" for himself when 'Clubbing'. It was a perfectly made "TFCK" kilt the only difference being that it went down to toe-cap length. It had the full set of beautiful knife-edge pleats, the full width double aprons, the lot. Howie looked a stunner in it; I didn't (but it was wonderful to wear)....... now, if I were thirty or fourty years younger!!!!

None of what I am saying is related to any kilt-wearing 'rules' - as we know, there are very few rules of that nature. However, there are 'rules' to be considered if you want to look good and be respected by those you escort or meet, but many of those 'rules' are not written down - you can either see when something you, or someone else, is wearing just doesn't look right, or you can't. Unfortunately, it's those who can't who make the blunders; who go out looking messy or unfinished or just plain ridiculous!

Of course, if you are one of those who couldn't give a toss what anyone else thinks, or how they 'see' you, then none of the foregoing applies ........... but I believe you should still be aware of the fact that you are paving the way for hundreds, if not thousands, of new and wannabe kilties who are following you. If each one of us looks a mess, the public will assume that all kilt wearers look a mess and we will be doing very little to break through their prejudices. Think on't!

Oooops! I've done it again! Sorry guys.