Quote Originally Posted by The Wizard of BC View Post
I'm sorry but using the naval is a very poor way of describing the fit of a kilt. Depending on their weight a guys navel will be in a different place.
It is much more accurate to reference the bones as they don't move.

All kilts made in the Traditional style are designed to have the top strap cinch into the anatomical waist. This is just below the ribcage at the side.

If the wearer wants to wear his kilt lower it must be designed and made to fit that way from the beginning.

This picture describes the fit of a kilt using the bones and where the strap cinches in at the back of the body.



The top strap in this photo is at the "Full Rise" of a traditional kilt.
The middle strap is riding on top of the hip bones and shows "Mid Rise"
The bottom strap is where blue jeans fit and is called "Low Rise".

This word "Rise" is a bit confusing. In days past all trousers were made Full Rise. This referred to the length from the crotch up to the top of the waist band.
But in a kilt refers to the amount of kilt above the top strap.

A kilt can be made with 1 inch, 2 inch and even 3-4 inches in a military kilt. In fact the basic difference between a military kilt and a civilian kilt is the amount of kilt above the top strap.

The three kilts in this photo all fit me. On the left is an actual Royal Regt. of Scotland military kilt with a 3 inch rise.
In the middle is my Tewksbury civilian traditional kilt with a 2 inch rise.
On the right is one of my Contemporary kilts with a 1 inch rise.



Please notice that the length of the pleats from the bottom of the Fell area to the hem is the same. Only the Fell Length and the Rise are different.

If you try to wear a kilt designed for full rise lower on the body two things happen. First you will see a large pucker develop in the front and the kilt may not hang straight down from the belly.
And the second thing is that the bottom of the Fell area in the back will droop below the crest of the buttocks and hips. This is one of the reasons you will see the large shower curtain folds in the back of the pleats on so many kilts at Highland Games.

Steve,

Having the issue I do because of a little belly, what do you suggest? It's strange to me because my belly is small enough that the majority of the time just wearing a tshirt or button down shirt you wouldn't know I have a belly. There are no places that I know of in the Chicago area that sell or measure for kilts. The only one that did, The Scottish Shop closed years ago. When I've measured, I've done it right at the belly button and the tape is level. When I measure the hips, it's where my pants sit on my hips. Is that the correct spot? I'm not sure if that's the correct spot or if I'm supposed to measure around the largest part of my backside.

If I know exactly I can get this right the first time and know how to do it going forward.

Thanks,
Matt