New menber with ???'s

[flairball]

Hello. I'm a new member here, and as I don't yet own a kilt I have a bunch of questions. Of course, posting all of my question at once would be one long and boring post I'll start with one now and continue later in other posts. Anyway, please bear with me.

My first question is regarding how a kilt actually fits. I understand that a kilt is worn higher up on the waist, but what keeps it from slipping down? In my case my waist measure is about 1 inch large than my seat measure.

In case in makes a difference, I have been doing quite a bit of kilt comparisons on line, as well as having made calls to two different kilt makers in this area, and have decided that I would purchase a Still Water standard kilt as my first.

Anyway, ...thanks in advance.

[Manu]

Well, let me be the first to welcome you to the forum.
As for your question, a Stillwater is made to be worn on your natural waist, about an inch or two above the navel, down to the topp or mid knee cap. The kilt should be snug enough to where the straps and buckles will hold it in place. If not, then buy a kilt belt, that should help. Anyway, enjoy your kilting!!!

[Southern Breeze]

First of all welcome. A traditional kilt should fit tight but not too tightly (Think girdle) so that it holds itself up without needing a belt.

[The Wizard of BC]

As to the fitting of a kilt;

A full traditional style will fit so that the top buckle is at your natural waist. There is then two inches of kilt above that. This is called 'rise'. The natural waist on most people is where you bend side to side. This will allow you to cinch the top straps in, till the kilt will stay in place. When worn properly, the apron should have NO wrinkles or puckers in the apron.

Casual model kilts are 'usually' fitted at or slightly above the naval. Most casual kilts have little or no rise above the top buckles. So they are worn like a pair of old style high waisted trousers you see in movies from the 20's and 30's.

Contemporary kilts can be worn almost anywhere it is comfortable. Some people prefer to wear them low, where you would wear jeans. Some prefer to wear them at the naval.

A word of caution though. It is becoming popular to buy inexpensive kilts that are only offered in one or two lengths. This means that to get the hem of the kilt to hit at proper place on the knee you may have to wear the waist at some place where it may not naturally sit without slipping around. This is why you must cinch it in with a belt.

Even if you are "a gentleman of substance" a properly fitted and sized Traditional kilt will cinch into your natural waist. It also creates a very slimming look when worn there.

[Big Paul]

Seeing as how this subject is pretty well covered, I would just like to add a big, Welcome to the forum!!

[cessna152towser]

Welcom to the forum, Flairball. Unless you are wearing a traditional Scottish kilt for a formal occasion there is no reason why you should be forced to hang it from navel height where it could be uncomfortable when leaning forward and would need to be very tight to keep it up. IMHO a kilt is far more comfortable if hung from slightly below navel, same height as for a smart pair of trousers.

[646guy]

I'll just say..."yeah, what everyone else said...." and welcome you as well....you're in safe hands now

[whiteravenJr.]

i would recomend wearin a kilt belt always tis way you will be sure that the kilt will not slip as much i have a bear kilt adn the on;y time it has ever sliped on me was the first time i put it on because i didn't do it up tight enough.

[Colin]

i would recomend wearin a kilt belt always tis way you will be sure that the kilt will not slip as much i have a bear kilt adn the on;y time it has ever sliped on me was the first time i put it on because i didn't do it up tight enough.

The Bear kilts are a bit different. I have always worn a belt with my bear kilts. With the velcro closures, there is no way to get a really good cinch so the kilt doesn't slide at least a little even with a properly fitting belt. In 3 years of wearing my 3 (oops I only have 2 now...) bear kilts, I have never been able to go without a belt.

A traditional kilt is a whole other creature. I have yet to wear a belt with my trad (I sold the belt in fact) as It has never moved on me. As Steve pointed out, the top strap tightens at the natural waist. So even if your seat meausrement is 1 inch bigger, the waist will not fall down. I should point out that I have heard that with a traditional, you cinch the waist as tight as is comfortable, but you don not do the same with the second strap on the hip, which should be a bit looser.

[GlassMan]

Welcom to the forum, Flairball. Unless you are wearing a traditional Scottish kilt for a formal occasion there is no reason why you should be forced to hang it from navel height where it could be uncomfortable when leaning forward and would need to be very tight to keep it up. IMHO a kilt is far more comfortable if hung from slightly below navel, same height as for a smart pair of trousers.

I'm going to have to disagree with you on this one. A traditional kilt with a high rise is far more comfortable when worn at the traditional waist (above the navel) than it is when worn at trouser waist level. With the fell sewn down on a good traditional kilt it bunchs up funny in the back if worn too low because the fell cannot expand once it hits the behind. It also just looks funny. While if it is worn at the proper height it tends to create a slimming appearance by making a belly seem to vanish into the kilt. People automatically judge your weight based on the size of torso exposed above the kilt, and not the part of the stomach hidden beneath the kilt.

The only kilts I would even consider wearing down at trouser level would be a contemporary kilt that has no rise whatsoever.

I have had no problems at all with a traditional kilt slidding down on me despite my larger than appropriate waist for my height.