Beer Gut + Traditional Kilt = Barrel? Help!

[stvlange]

I need some advice gents, I have a beer gut. No sense stepping around it. I ordered a traditional SWK regular kilt. I measured an inch or two above the belly button as requested, ordered a 50" and its too big.

No problem, I can exchange. Here is the thing, if I wear it where I am supposed to wear it, because of my big *** gut, I look like Ed Grimley.

Is a kilt belt meant to be orn up high or at the pant level. I love the kilt, and maybe I am just being sensitive, but my wife was like -- you have got to pull that down some. The trouble of course if I do is that it goes below my belly.

I would really appreciate any advice anyone can offer, if you have photos of what a traditional is supposed to look like on a big guy, I'd love to see em. If you think i need to forgo a traditional kilt, which would be sad for me because I want to wear it for historical reasons relating to scouting.

Sure appreciate the advice.

-Steve

[Monkey@Arms]

I am sure one of these members can help:
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/group.php?groupid=48

Best regards,

Jake

[dfmacliam]

I have a gut myself, and I wear my kilt just above the belly button. Below it at jeans waist it looks wrong, at mid and high waist they uhhh kind of hold the gut in. Yeah you get that Ed Grimely look, but it's better to hide it some than to accentuate it. I will say, I am no expert, but from my experiences, I know what feels more comfortable to me.

[ccga3359]

Beer+traditional kilt

Yeah so what's the problem?

Steve Ashton at Freedom Kilts has a beer gut cut to his kilts.

[Phogfan86]

My ample tum is somewhat minimized by wearing my kilt where it's supposed to be. I bet you don't look as goofy as you think you do. It also, according to my wife, creates the illusion of a longer leg line, which makes me look longer and thinner.

Or something like that.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

My ample tum is somewhat minimized by wearing my kilt where it's supposed to be. I bet you don't look as goofy as you think you do. It also, according to my wife, creates the illusion of a longer leg line, which makes me look longer and thinner.

Which is absolutely correct. Big guys in a properly fitting kilt look fine; the minute the kilt slips below the navel, the whole appearance takes on a slovenly look-- definately not the image you want to pass on to your Scouts.

As ForresterModern has suggested, if your kilt keeps giving in to gravity (and remember, it should be snug around the waist) then you need to consider using suspenders/braces.

Keeping the belt in place can be accomplished buy stitching two belt keepers to your kilt, one on each side. You can get these tiny hooks from most fraternal supply houses. You might try New London Regalia (www.newlondonregalia.com) or Los Angeles Fraternal Supply Co. (www.lafsco.com). They will be listed in the same section as Masonic Knight Templar regalia and uniform items.

These hooks are also excellent for locating your sporran chain (it brings them forward and several inches higher) and preventing them from slipping under your gut... sorry, tummy.

[Phogfan86]

Macmillan, can you provide a link to the item on those web pages? Sorry, but I can't find the belt keepers.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Macmillan, can you provide a link to the item on those web pages? Sorry, but I can't find the belt keepers.

I don't know how to do that BUT go to New London Regalia and click on Knight Templar in the menu bar on the left hand side of the page. Now click on BELTS AND ACCESSORIES, and there you are. Belt hooks are the first item on the page.

[ccga3359]

I don't know how to do that BUT go to New London Regalia and click on Knight Templar in the menu bar on the left hand side of the page. Now click on BELTS AND ACCESSORIES, and there you are. Belt hooks are the first item on the page.

Please allow me:
Belt hooks

[Cavebear58]

...As ForresterModern has suggested, if your kilt keeps giving in to gravity (and remember, it should be snug around the waist) then you need to consider using suspenders/braces.

I'd second this. A few weeks ago I stopped wearing the belt with my kilt and started using braces (as we call them here), and the comfort improvement was extraordinary. I wish I'd thought of it years ago!

The next question is what to wear to cover the gut and braces... waistcoats, v-necked sweaters, fleeces and sweatshirts all come to mind.

Cheers, Graham.