How does it fit?

[o3afret]

Hi all and for all the great questions and answers about how to wear the kilt, fit, etc. I found it very useful for me. I wear "tactical" kilts daily and have just received my first 8 yard clan kilt. I have what would be an odd question but the leather straps on the kilt on not flat, in packing, they've been folded up, etc. How can I get the leather to be flat again like it should? I have some ideas but thought I'd ask for some expert opinions first!

Thanks.

Jim

[James Hood]

Personal thought, NOT as an educated professional, is to use some leather treatment product like Lexol (as the old Greek shoe repair guy in town recommends, Vaseline, on both sides of the strap and then put the straps compressed by the wood slats of trousers hangers for a few days.

The leather should become more supple and "flatten out." To prevent possible goo on the hanger wooden slats or the wool, use waxed paer as a barrier.

You will have to use 3 hangers or 3X the amount of time.

Best of fortune.

[o3afret]

James,
That is the direction I thought too. Thanks for the information and the wooden slat hanger(s) is a great idea, one I wouldn't have thought of. I'll be giving it a try tomorrow. I do appreciate the time your took for your reply.

Jim Wilson

[unixken]

Personal thought, NOT as an educated professional, is to use some leather treatment product like Lexol (as the old Greek shoe repair guy in town recommends, Vaseline, on both sides of the strap and then put the straps compressed by the wood slats of trousers hangers for a few days.

The leather should become more supple and "flatten out." To prevent possible goo on the hanger wooden slats or the wool, use waxed paer as a barrier.

You will have to use 3 hangers or 3X the amount of time.

Best of fortune.

I would be VERY careful of this in that any grease/Vasoline that is absorbed into the leather *is* going to leach back out, and you don't want that grease coming in contact with, and staining, the wool. Personally, I would just roll the strap in the opposite direction and throw a rubber band over it to keep it rolled up overnight. Then remove the rubber band the next day. After a day or two to "relax", the leather should flatten itself out.