How much should a table cloth hang over?

[Dee*Jay]

I am trying to buy a holiday table cloth as a gift. The table itself if 72" X 38". I have three options:

108 X 70
90 X 70
126 X 70

I *think* 108 is the right choice (so it will hang over 18" on the ends and 16" on the sides) but if anyone knows differently please advise becuase this is not something I know anything about...

 

[boerumbiddy]

A foot and a half sounds fine. Some formal settings might have more hangover, but it is not the usual thing.

 

[boerumbiddy]

Just for fun, a picture of the dining room at Windsor Castle with a royally formal tablecloth hanging nearly to the floor.

 

[LaraOnline]

Well I have small children so I get nervous when a table cloth hangs down any more than say 8 inches lol

 

[Ninna]

It depends on the table. Tables with beautiful legs should have a 12" drop. When using formal/intricate linen, I like to go with a much longer drop.

 

[JewelFreak]

I think 108" is fine. Enough to be stable but not to get in the way -- especially if they have little kids around. Bigger is ok too, but wouldn't go smaller. Nice thought for a present!

 

[kenny]

The hangover of a tablecloth is a function of how much booze was spilled on it last night.

Seriously, I have no clue, and clearly no class when it comes to formal things.