Kilts for guys with guts

[kiltedpride]

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. 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.

Generally a kilt makes most men look better but dont wear your kilt at waist level otherwise the pleats will hang incorrectly. I'd for health's sake look at really working to get your weght down - you'll feel so much better and it can be done. You'll look good and your self esteem will improve no end.

[glengall1]

Hi there,

If you wear the kilt below the belly button it is more like a skirt not a kilt. If you buy a traditionally made kilt then the measurements are through your "True" waist (Belly button) and if you wore it lower it looks ridiculous if made from true waist measurements. Basically when you are getting it made you have to get measured correctly in whatever way you are going to wear it.

When I got married my best man (who died last year of a heart attack at 36 years old) was 25 stone. He wore the kilt in the traditional way and looked great.

All in all you have to decide which one you would like. The ones in our shop are expensive as you say (about £305 for a 10 yard kilt for the fuller gentleman)

I am not a fan of the "new age" kilts on the market (not just cause I sell the real ones) as they do not seem to hang right as they use alot less cloth.

Anyway, sorry for my tuppence worth,

Take care,

[Blu (Ontario)]

... If you wear the kilt below the belly button it is more like a skirt not a kilt...

Hip hugger kilts (and trousers for that matter) will tend to accentuate the 'overburden' whereas the rise built into a traditional will help cover it up.

... I am not a fan of the "new age" kilts on the market...

Do the denim kilts sold by 'thetartanbox' fall into that group? ;-)

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I just got finished making two kilts recently for larger gentlemen. One had a 60" waist. The fellow emailed me after he recieved it to say it was the best looking peice of clothing in his wardrobe. The other was for a man with a 48" waist. He called me on the phone to personally thank me -- said his wife thinks he looks great in it, and he wanted to personally express his appreciation.

I think the largest kilt I ever sold was a few years back. It was a 67" waist, if I remember correctly. The man was a lawyer. He wore his kilt in court, because he said it looked better on him than any of his pants. And why shouldn't it -- it was tailor made to fit him!

All of this is to say that if you get a made-to-measure kilt from a competant kilt maker, it will look great on you, no matter your size. I've heard it from men time and time again that they don't think they would look good in a kilt because of their girth. They probably think that for two reasons -- either they have self-image issues, or they have seen other large men in kilts that were ill-fitting or ill-accessorized and look horrible.

Get a proper fitting kilt and accessorize it well and you'll look great, I promise. One of the things you can do to really help the look regards the sporran chain. I've seen way too many men at the Highland Games with large bellies and slender hips with their sporrans hanging beneath their bellies. This bunches the kilt up, accentuates your gut, and just looks horrible. You can avoid this two ways. One is to just make sure your sporran belt is tight enough so that your sporran doesn't slip down that low. Perhaps the most practical is to invest in some "sporran slings" or belt hangers that let you wear your sporran from your main kilt belt. This really makes a world of difference.

Aye,
Matt

[James]

Though my self image is of a fine upstanding well built chap--I'll admit to a certain degree of -'oh dear' in the shape field!

As a wearer rather than a maker, I would confirm that a properly made to measure kilt, will look good, and accomodate any little problems.

So bite the bullet-unlock the safe, remove your sporran-unlock that, then hack away the welding on your wallet to get at the money-and with a sad sigh, order a made to measure kilt from a reputable maker.

I have no experience with the makers attending this board-so am not being rude to them when I say that practical experience with Hector Russell and Connell Reid - prove the benefits of a well made taditional kilt. So though they are not cheap-I've found them well worth the outlay.

James

[Jimmy Carbomb]

I think the largest kilt I ever sold was a few years back. It was a 67" waist, if I remember correctly. The man was a lawyer. He wore his kilt in court, because he said it looked better on him than any of his pants. And why shouldn't it -- it was tailor made to fit him!

All of this is to say that if you get a made-to-measure kilt from a competant kilt maker, it will look great on you, no matter your size.

Holy schnikeys Matt!!! A 67?! I thought that the 64 I did was going to be hard to top... but you did it! When I opened it up for the pressing, it looked like a front cover for a volkswagen bus!

I know the ones that you're talking about in the latter statement... and they're not pretty. Usually the guy needs to hoist it up on the belly just to keep it from looking like a "tablecloth with duct tape". You must have done VERY well.

[RockyR]

I think the largest kilt I ever sold was a few years back. It was a 67" waist, if I remember correctly. The man was a lawyer. He wore his kilt in court, because he said it looked better on him than any of his pants. And why shouldn't it -- it was tailor made to fit him!

WOW! I thought I was the only kiltmaker who got "REAL men of substance". You tied my record! The worst part is, the 67" waist I did was a 17 year old kid with size 16 shoes.

I am with Matt on this one... a proper made kilt will fit ANY man and look good on most of them. This is a CUSTOM GARMENT. We're making clothes for individuals! Whether it be wool or a high waisted fitting PV, men with girth have options.

[glengall1]

Hip hugger kilts (and trousers for that matter) will tend to accentuate the 'overburden' whereas the rise built into a traditional will help cover it up.



Do the denim kilts sold by 'thetartanbox' fall into that group? ;-)

LOL !! Yes they do a great cover up job !!!!! :smile: