Of Kilt Lenght(s)

[Blake Roth]

My tank comes in a 24" and reaches the military height to the ribs if I hike it up. The best, I found, are my casuals, around 21-22" length for me (I'm 5'9") each; Shorter is the most comfortable-and I'm nae adverse to showin' a bit o'the leg.

[Standard]

Top of the knee is the most comfortable for me for all day walking, etc. I know when I first began wearing the kilt that the top of the knee felt awfully short and exposing. Now that I've been kilted for quite some time a kilt hanging to the middle of the knee, or lower feels a bit long and "in the way" of natural movements. Maybe the comfortable length of your kilt is proportional to the lenght of time you have been wearing one; starting lower at the beginning and working up to the top of the knee or just above as the years progress.

[Dale-of-Cedars]

Maybe the comfortable length of your kilt is proportional to the lenght of time you have been wearing one; starting lower at the beginning and working up to the top of the knee or just above as the years progress.

Sort of like the way the belt-line of Saxon p@nts start heading for your armpits as you get older?

[pascs]

I've always worn my kilts mid knee - any shorter is just not right for me

[egreen_1979]

I've only been kilted for a few months but I prefer mine at mid knee. I think body types might be a variable as well. I would be considered a mesomorph, short but not small. I'm 5'8" and around 190lbs. Whenever I sit down the selvedge easily slides past the top of my knee. Any more and I'd feel TOO european.

Eric

[Alan H]

Wherever. More or less around the knee somewhere.

[Muddy]

Mid kneecap more or less. I can't stand a kilt that looks too short (to me).
Utilikilt of course is a bit longer as they are meant to look (or so it would appear from the way they are commonly worn on the UK website more or less). i.e. about the bottom of the knee. I notice a trend towards wearing the traditional kilt a tad longer as well which I think looks great if you're going for a bit more modern look. Check out Howie Nicholsby/21st. Century Kilts pictures for examples of what I'm talking about.

[MacRobert's Reply]

No lower than the middle of the knee and no higher than the top of the knee – that’s about 2 inches variation on my wee legs; and between 3.5 and 5.5 inches from the hose tops.

Growing up in Scotland meant that inherited kilts hung at all sorts of heights but those made to measure started at mid knee and were ready to be passed on to smaller members of the family once they were much above the knee.

[Sammac]

Always at the top of the knee or a fingers width above. Don't agree that Mr Thompson's book is outdated, some traditions are always in style. Don't care for the droopy look whether it is pants or kilts.

[HenryT]

Always at the top of the knee or a fingers width above. Don't agree that Mr Thompson's book is outdated, some traditions are always in style. Don't care for the droopy look whether it is pants or kilts.

I agree completely.