What does drop mean?

**MuffinMan** · 22nd June 08, 07:03 PM

Looking at a kilt for my son on Ebay and things don't sound right. It says for a 5 to 6 year old but the waist is 25" the same as my 12 year old and drop is 15" which would be to short. do you measure the entire length of the kilt for the drop or just where the pleats start?

MM

**ChattanCat** · 22nd June 08, 07:06 PM

Drop = the distance between your navel (waist) and the top of your knee.

**MuffinMan** · 22nd June 08, 07:08 PM

Darn its a good looking kilt, looks like I need to order him a SWK

MM

**The Wizard of BC** · 22nd June 08, 07:15 PM

The definition of the Drop of a Traditional kilt is the measurement from the center of the top buckles to the bottom of the Hem.
On a Traditional Kilt the top buckles are approx. 2" down from the top of the waistband this area above the buckle is called the Rise.
If you are measuring a Traditional Kilt, the total length of the kilt from the top of the waistband to the bottom of the hem will be equal to the sum of the Drop and the Rise.

The area you refer to where the pleats are sewn down has another name.
This area from the top of the waistband to the Hip line where the pleats are sewn down is called the Fell.

For a Traditional Kilt to fit properly the Top Buckles are cinched into the natural waist which is just below the ribs. On an adult male the natural waist is usually about 2" above the naval.
There is a caution when using the naval as a reference however. Due to bellies which on some are flat and on some round the relative position of the naval changes.
To find the natural waist feel around back near the kidneys. Then bend from side to side. Where you feel a pucker in your skin and the spine moving, that is your natural waist.
A Traditional Kilt should have the rise above the natural waist and covering the short ribs.