Do kilts have a "break-in" period?

[tulloch]

Mine have not changed a whit since I got them. I have gone up and down a couple pounds necessitating change of one hole but nothing like what you describe. It sounds like something's slipping. Is it hand made? Do you know the maker? Might be something to consult with them about.

[xman]

Well, I do find that a kilt can 'settle' a bit, but a few hours wear seems to do the job and the difference isn't anywhere near what you're describing.

Who made the kilt? If you're missing a stabiliser then the pleats could be giving way at the waist line or something.

I would certainly advise against 'adjusting' your actual measurements. that's only likely to mess up your kiltmaker.

[Tobus]

Mine have not changed a whit since I got them. I have gone up and down a couple pounds necessitating change of one hole but nothing like what you describe. It sounds like something's slipping. Is it hand made? Do you know the maker? Might be something to consult with them about.

It is definitely not the construction of the kilt at play. It's a well-made (in Scotland) kilt, and I see no signs of stress on anything. The material is 16-ounce Lochcarron wool. Machine stitched.

I suspect that it is your shape which has changed rather than the kilt - losing a little weight seems to alter the waist more than any other part of the body - and I find that any increase appears at the waistline first.

Probably so. I'm a bit "hippy" for a guy, just due to my natural bone structure, so I suspect that as I've lost weight, it is changing at my natural waist faster than at my hips.

Really what I need to do is bust out my cloth tape measure and take the same measurements I took when I ordered my kilt, then compare it to the difference in the holes in the straps and see if they correspond.

[LitTrog]

I, too have noticed something similar. I'm not poo-pooing the observations of the makers and wearers who responded previously, but I can't explain away my change in fit by citing weight loss. I've owned my well-made 8 yarder for about 7 months but worn it many times. I started out right in the middle holes, but now I'm right at the smallest adjustment. No weight loss (if anything, I've gained weight!) or shape change around my midsection. Bizarre.

Like I said, the kilt is very well made. It is 14 oz Welsh wool, which has a much softer feel than other kilt wool I've felt. Don't know if that makes a difference...