Black Solid Kiltstore Kilt Revisited

**Jerry** · 9th November 06, 10:53 AM

Last year, I purchased a Kiltstore Black Solid Kilt. When my wife and I made the measurements, both of us misunderstood the length measurement. We both thought that it did not include the length of the fell and the kilt would be about 2 inches longer than our measurement. As a result, the length is just over 19 inches, compared to 22 and 1/2 inches for my traditional kilts. At the time, I felt that this kilt was much too short for me. Now, since it is a "modern kilt" instead of a traditional, I'm not sure it is too short. I am posting several pics here to get the opimion of our panel of experts. Nick, I would value your opinion also, as I do not blame Kiltstore for my mistake(?), and it is a very well made kilt. If everyone does think it is too short. it would make an excellent kilt for someone around 5'7 or so, and with a waist of around 45". Here are the pics. I am wearing the kilt, just below my belly button. They are taken in front of our pond. It is a beautiful Fall day here, the outside temperature is 69 deg F right now.

**Colin** · 9th November 06, 11:08 AM

I'm not a professional, just a member of a forum, but it looks a bit too short to me, sorry. It may look different with hose (either pushed down with boots, or up with flashes and shoes) as I always seem to see kilts worn with sandlas as looking a bit odd. It may just show too much leg, making the kilt seem less significant, without something breaking it up at the bottom.

I almost made the same mistake, fortunately I emailed the shop before the final order to ask about the sizing and measurements, and I was also able to get measured up at my local shop before ordering online.

**Jerry** · 9th November 06, 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by Colin

I'm not a professional, just a member of a forum, but it looks a bit too short to me, sorry. It may look different with hose (either pushed down with boots, or up with flashes and shoes) as I always seem to see kilts worn with sandlas as looking a bit odd. It may just show too much leg, making the kilt seem less significant, without something breaking it up at the bottom.

I almost made the same mistake, fortunately I emailed the shop before the final order to ask about the sizing and measurements, and I was also able to get measured up at my local shop before ordering online.

Thanks, Collin, I didn't get dressed up to take the pics, I usually wear the sandles around the house, because they are the most comfortable shoes I own. I'll take a couple of more pics with pushed down hose and boots, to show off things a little better. Here are the new pics

**switchblade5984** · 9th November 06, 11:59 AM

i say pull it down just a tad....

of course i like mine a tadbit long....

**Big Dave** · 9th November 06, 12:07 PM

It is a nice kilt, but too short in my opinion.

**Jerry** · 9th November 06, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by switchblade5984

i say pull it down just a tad....

of course i like mine a tadbit long....

I could pull it down about another inch, but there are a lot here who say that the top of the knee is correct, and from what I can tell, the kilt hits just about there, as worn in the pics. However, like you, I really prefer mid knee. My arthritic knees just don't look good in my opinion.

**KiltedCodeWarrior** · 9th November 06, 05:39 PM

Jerry, I think it looks fine. In the first pictures by the pond I was not sure. But really, it is at the top of your knee, based on what I can tell, and that is certainly well within the accepted range for kilt length. The real question is do you feel uncomfortablt wearing a kilt at that length? You'll get a range of "opinions" here on the "correct" length, but truthfully the correct length is the one you are comfortable with, just like the "correct" kilt is the one you like wearing.

**gilmore** · 9th November 06, 07:59 PM

How does it feel to YOU?

Arguments could be made for and against the length. True, it is not the traditional length, although some "hillwalker" kilts are shorter than usual. Or you could wear it lower on the hips as some have suggested. But I don't think the kilt police will hunt you down in your woods and arrest you however you decide to wear it. It seems that these days there are fewer hard and fast rules than formerly, but regardless, I would keep it if you feel comfortable in it. Or get rid of it if you don't.

**Mark Keeney** · 9th November 06, 09:18 PM

OK I'll say it. It is too short. You should be wearing a longer kilt. You should wear it higher at the waist and just a tad bit lower at the knee. If you had a narrower waist the length wouldn't be a problem because the height / width visual ratio would be better.

It could be worn at that length but it doesn't flatter you at all. Don't wear it get a longer one and look sharp.

**Jerry** · 10th November 06, 09:41 AM

Originally Posted by Mark Keney

OK I'll say it. It is too short. You should be wearing a longer kilt. You should wear it higher at the waist and just a tad bit lower at the knee. If you had a narrower waist the length wouldn't be a problem because the height / width visual ratio would be better.

It could be worn at that length but it doesn't flatter you at all. Don't wear it get a longer one and look sharp.

In other words, I'm fat. Just kidding, I know I'm overweight, and I'm working on that, but with the kilts I own, I can't afford to lose too much. I agree, I don't like wearing a kilt that low on my waist. If I had mearured correctly, the kilt would sit just above my belly button and hit around mid knee. That, or even a bit higher is where I wear most of my kilts. I think I'm going to let my daughter tryb this one on.