Odd question maybe

[sevenoaks]

I received a kilt I had ordered from Kiltmart.com. It was a Pride of Scotland tartan. 6yard,60% Acrylic and 40% wool? I am amazed how well it is made, the service I got, and how good it feels to wear. The kilt cost me 49.00 Ca. I expected a bad fitting and poorly made product. I own a 100% pure 16 oz wool kilt made in Scotland by Edgar of Scotland and I love it. I bought this new kilt that arrived today and it is so much lighter but, strangely it makes me feel not as dressed but more casual. For 49.00$, I love it and will be getting more from them if it stands up.
Now the question I have is, I love wearing my quality kilt just above my belly button. After I put on the 49$ kilt and a T-Shirt just to kick back in. I got to wondering if it would be possible to somehow cut off or fold over the waste line so that it hung on my hips as in p*&^s. and still keep the hem just above my knees. Not that I would walk outside like that but for around the house etc. I was wondering what would that do to the pleats? Is it possible to do that and still keep the kilt looking like a kilt and not a skirt? It would just feel a little more comfortable and laid back than the more formal garment.
Dose the Rabble have any opinion on that and more especially I ask the great kilt makers on this site if it could be done. I don't need any advise as to how I should wear a traditional kilt as I would never go out too far without being well dressed I wear a kilt with pride and would never insult the traditional.

[Riverkilt]

Wouldn't it be easier just to exchange it for a shorter length?

[The Wizard of BC]

There is a point about the construction of a kilt that I don't think gets talked about a lot.

If you look at any well fitting kilt -
If the Hem is where the wearer wants it -
And the bottom of the Fell is where it should be (about the level of the widest part of the hips and butt) -

Regardless of where the waistband of the kilt is - The length of the un-sewn parts of the pleats will be the same. The only thing that changes is the length of the Fell.

So, if you remove the waistband of the kilt, cut it down to where you wish the waistband to sit, then you will still have a well fitting kilt.

At least in theory. This will work on one of my kilts and is the theory behind how I can offer kilts with the waistband exactly where the customer wants it.

This should also work on your inexpensive kilt. I really would not know unless I could see you with the kilt on.


Now the question you need to ask yourself is; Is the cost of the tailoring worth it given the cost of the kilt?

[Matty Ross]

Because of my body shape I wear all my kilts at my hips I have 2, I special ordered at 20 inches, two I have hemmed and two I have just rolled the waist down 2 inches and sewed down. It just depends on the price value and the construction.

[sevenoaks]

Thanks Guys for the feedback. First I need to correct the material the kilt is made of; it is 100% Acrylic and although I think it looks good it dose not have feel of a quality kilt, in that it feels too light on me.
Thank you Steve for your input about the waist line and "Fell" of the kilt. For sure I will be ordering another kilt from these guys just to get a few kilts and tartans that I like. I don't know if Freedom Kilts make a 100% Acrylic kilt but I intend to find out before I order from the States. I think that it would be easier if I ordered another kilt that would fit on my hips rather than above my belly button but have no idea how to do the measurements.
I did ask my Lass if she could make the changes I wanted but she also told me that the time it would take to do the sewing and remove some of the 2 layers or more from the waist line could be difficult. She suggested I order another kilt that would fit on my hips. "I mean for $49.00 it would not be worth my time"... I was happy to hear that but she supports me in wearing a kilt. Lucky me!
Although this kilt is not traditional, ie. 8yrds of pure wool, it is acceptable for me to go fishing for salmon. hiking in the mountains and general wear as an ever day kilt. I did go out tonight for a quick Ale at the local Pub, "The Rusty Gull" and got a few compliments and as always someone asked if I was a Piper. I live on the North Shore of Vancouver and the population is mostly Iranian, Sailors from cargo ships, and Vacationing passengers that pour from the cruse ships looking for a little local color. they come from all over the world. The pub is a great place for me to go and get to feel comfortable in my kilt.
You know... I think I lost the thread of this post and it is time for me to close this. I will be up at 5 a.m. to go fishing for the Chinook salmon running up the Capilano river, in my kilt of course.

[MacLowlife]

Sevenoaks,

Once you have a second one of those kilts in hand and once you have gotten some value from the first one ( in case this next part ruins it) why not try a little jackleg tailoring? Get the biggest, sharpest scissors you can lay your hands on and get a yard or two of binding tape, such as you would see on the edge of a blanket. Then carefully chop an inch or two off the top of your kilt, sawing your way through every thing at once. You will probably have to rejigger the strap and you may find it rough going to sew the binding tape on, but you should be able to cut off some of the high waist to end up with a hip-height kilt. If you are so inclined, you may want to try trimming and flattening the new waist before binding it- or you could even resew the original waistband, if there is one.

If you have never done anything like this, you may want an "adult" present while you are at work- someone who can warn you when you are about to do something completely ruinous. But remember, you bought it. It is yours to do with as you will. And, while somebody may have had better tools, somebody made it in the first place. Given time and patience, you can do what they did, only shorter...