Adjusting Kilt Length? URGENT

**NewEnglander** · 21st March 10, 02:16 PM

When I ordered my last kilt (a casual from Burnett's & Struth) I thought I'd be able to deal with the more traditional waist height. But after trying to wear it for month or so I found that it just wasn't comfortable for me. I contacted B&S and they gave me two options: have them rebuild the top (for nearly the original cost of the kilt) or have them take the needed amount off the bottom (for $45 or so, I believe). Needless to say, I went for the latter option. The kilt is on it's way back to me, so I can't report on the final effect yet.
(I'm also in the same boat as many that can't wear the cursed "standard" 24" length of off the rack kilts. If SWK ever started offering a hemming service I'd buy one of their wool Blackwatch kilts. I just don't know if I'd trust my regular tailor to hem a kilt for me.)

**Deil the Yin** · 21st March 10, 07:19 PM

Originally Posted by NewEnglander

When I ordered my last kilt (a casual from Burnett's & Struth) I thought I'd be able to deal with the more traditional waist height. But after trying to wear it for month or so I found that it just wasn't comfortable for me...

I agree that it is none too comfourtable supporting a kilt with sporran with your abdomen for more than a few hours (as opposed to actual hips), but where on earth do you wear the top of your kilt(s)???

**NewEnglander** · 22nd March 10, 06:54 AM

Originally Posted by Deil the Yin

I agree that it is none too comfourtable supporting a kilt with sporran with your abdomen for more than a few hours (as opposed to actual hips), but where on earth do you wear the top of your kilt(s)???

It's most comfortable to wear my kilt (ie my USAK casual or UK mocker) at the height of my navel. The 1.5" rise above that with the B&S casual didn't work. It felt like it was riding up to my armpits when I sat down and gave my midsection a less than flattering barrel shape (a lovely description from my loving fiancee).

**Dixiecat** · 22nd March 10, 01:09 PM

that it is none too comfourtable supporting a kilt with sporran with your abdomen for more than a few hours

Just want to share a tip from the dance world. As you can imagine, dance kilts can go through many owners in their lifetime. To save on hemming or to make do for a few competitions waiting on that expected growth spurt, dancers may sometimes wear suspenders on their kilts to pull it up a few inches.

Suspenders can also aid in 'supporting' the kilt so that your abdomen doesn't go on strike. I believe some of the military kilts come with suspender buttons already sewn on due to the heavy weight of the kilt.

**BobsYourUncle** · 22nd March 10, 04:04 PM

I agree about suspenders. I wear suspenders with my military weight kilt, and it was such an improvement in comfort that I had suspender buttons installed in my lighter civilian kilts. I still wear a kilt belt, but I no longer depend on it to hold anything up, and I no longer depend on the kilt straps, either. Suspenders all around! Cheers!

**Barb T** · 22nd March 10, 04:40 PM

Originally Posted by Dixiecat

Just want to share a tip from the dance world. As you can imagine, dance kilts can go through many owners in their lifetime. To save on hemming or to make do for a few competitions waiting on that expected growth spurt, dancers may sometimes wear suspenders on their kilts to pull it up a few inches.

I know lots of dancers do this, but I have to say that you can spot a dancer wearing suspenders under a dance vest from a mile away. The suspenders invariably pull of the front of the kilt so that it "pooches" and doesn't lie flat across the front (kind of like farmer john pants). I would take the trouble to hem a dancer's kilt so that it looks better on, even if it's only for a few competitions. It's just not that big a job to hem a kilt.

**Dixiecat** · 22nd March 10, 05:34 PM

Originally Posted by Barb T.

I know lots of dancers do this, but I have to say that you can spot a dancer wearing suspenders under a dance vest from a mile away. The suspenders invariably pull of the front of the kilt so that it "pooches" and doesn't lie flat across the front (kind of like farmer john pants). I would take the trouble to hem a dancer's kilt so that it looks better on, even if it's only for a few competitions. It's just not that big a job to hem a kilt.

Too true Barb. You and I would take the time to hem, but for some people, hemming is like another world.

But, for the kilt that fits and it's the weight that needs supporting, suspenders will work fairly well. Watch out for the farmer john look though!