Kilts for guys with guts

**Severian** · 22nd July 05, 09:35 AM

I'm looking to get my first kilt, but I'm having a hard time deciding. I like the USAkilts and Stillwater, but there aren't many front/back pictures of guys like me who have a gut. The Stillwater drop length is kind of long for someone of my height 5'8". My navel/waist measurements are 44/40.

I'm thinking a semi-traditional with a larger belt might be better than the philabeg with the smaller. It's a lot of money to lay out, and I want to make an informed decision.

Am I better off getting a kilt that starts from the waist rather than the navel?

Advice anyone?

**Dreadbelly** · 22nd July 05, 09:44 AM

Stillwater kilts. They sit a good bit higher in a very traditional cut.

I am a towering five feet and five inches, with shoes and socks on, standing on a curb. I can wear a Stillwater. The actual length on them is misleading, as they have both a rise and a drop. The actual drop is about 22 inches, which some of the taller folk find to short. The top of the kilt should sit slightly above, or right at your navel, close to the bottom of your ribcage.

**Colin** · 22nd July 05, 09:46 AM

Stillwater used to also have directions on their site on how to shorten the length of their kilts.

**Bob C** · 22nd July 05, 12:04 PM

Here. It would take guts to wear THIS.

Oh, that's not what you meant...

**RockyR** · 22nd July 05, 01:06 PM

You'd do good with either a SW or one of our Casuals (depending on the material you like better).

As far as our casual goes... When a guy comes in to get measured and he has a good bit of "girth" to him, we suggest that he wears the Casual up around the naval rather than on the hips. If you have "girth" and wear it UNDER your belly, it accentuates the gut. If you wear it at the widest part of your gut (typically around the naval), it actually helps to keep it up and it helps to hold the stomach in a bit.

If you have any questions about how our kilt will fit, let me know!

I'm sure you'll be happy with whichever kilt you choose.

**Severian** · 22nd July 05, 01:35 PM

Thanks, Rocky!

I'll email you either this weekend or Monday. I'd emailed you earlier about the Bruce tartan, but I think for now I'm just going to go with a Stewart Hunting. This weekend I have the kids, so I'll be pretty busy.

I appreciate everyone's help!

**Big Paul** · 22nd July 05, 02:54 PM

Originally Posted by Severian

I'm looking to get my first kilt, but I'm having a hard time deciding. I like the USAkilts and Stillwater, but there aren't many front/back pictures of guys like me who have a gut. The Stillwater drop length is kind of long for someone of my height 5'8". My navel/waist measurements are 44/40.

I'm thinking a semi-traditional with a larger belt might be better than the philabeg with the smaller. It's a lot of money to lay out, and I want to make an informed decision.

Am I better off getting a kilt that starts from the waist rather than the navel?

Advice anyone?

I have a traditional. I have a 52 waist (at the belly button) I wear mine at of just above the belly button. Like Rocky said, I helps hold it up and in.. I hope the gallery comes back soon (hint hint) so I can post some pics..

**RockyR** · 22nd July 05, 03:59 PM

Originally Posted by Severian

I'll email you either this weekend or Monday. I'd emailed you earlier about the Bruce tartan, but I think for now I'm just going to go with a Stewart Hunting. This weekend I have the kids, so I'll be pretty busy.

If you email me on Monday, I won't be able to get to it until Wed or Thurs... Kelly and I are FINALLY going to go on VACATION! Well, 2.5 days worth anyway... we're going to the shore for Mon - Wed night. If I can get online down there, I'll reply. If not, I'll email you when I get back.

**GMan** · 22nd July 05, 06:10 PM

Congratulations on your most deserved time off Rocky, you and Kelly have a good time!

**Planopiper** · 22nd July 05, 08:52 PM

I've seen a lot of guys with big guts wear their kilts like they wear their pants. It not only accentuates the gut, but from behind you see the back of the kilt is way above the knees and the front of the kilt. It really looks sloppy and makes the guy look fatter. I watched an open piping competition in June and one of the guys was really big, but he wore his kilt correctly, straight accross the body at a little higher than his navel. The kilt looked very nice, the pleats hung straight, the bottom of it was straight and at the correct height, and he looked very neat. You can't hide your size, but you can look well put-together. And don't have too tight a sporran chain. The sporran needs to hang on top of the kilt, not tie it up to your waist.