Newbie Sitting Down

[Presidential33]

Today, I received by mail my first kilt ever. It is a heavyweight wool black watch tartan from Jerry at Stillwater. I am very happy with the service, and even happier with the kilt! I find it heavy and well made for what it cost.

But as newbie, I need some advice when it comes to sitting down...

The kilt is 24'' long and is a size 36. It sits just a little above my naval and goes down to the top of my knee. When I am standing everything looks fine and it is very comfortable.

However when I sit down it seems a little tight around the naval, as in I have to suck my gut in a little.

Maybe I need to get those perfect abs if I want to be able to sit comfortably in a kilt? But is this normal? Are there others that feel great while standing but then too tight while sitting?

When I sit down I am using my hands to flatten the pleats at the back and then I am making sure the front apron is well placed. The front apron does a great job as it almost covers to just about the top of the knee.

However, the rear of the kilt while sitting down only goes to about mid thigh and even less in the middle. Is this normal? As in I really have to make sure I pull the back of the kilt down if I dont want my junk touching the chair. There is just enough material, not less, not more but just enough. Is this the way a kilt fits while sitting? As in, the front apron is longer and covers more than the rear pleated side?

[Cowher]

I have had the same thought. But I have noticed the same thing. I noticed that if I sit close to the edge of the seat it gets worse try sitting all the way back in the seat. That improved my posture and added a inch or so to the back. This is the reason why I wear boxer briefs when kilted. I can't feel comfortable without them. I am curious to see what others say.

[Hothir Ethelnor]

The pleats do rise to your mid thigh when sitting.

I haven't encountered the fit issue though they seem to fit nicely and not tighten up on me when sitting.

[Standard]

I've not noticed a tightening of the kilt as such, but I will say that a kilt is an item of clothing which is much better suited to standing and walking than it is to sitting. The effect you notice while sitting is not unusual. If you notice when a woman sits with a skirt on how the back appears "shorter" and rides up the back of the leg, the same thing is happening to you. At least this is what I have found to be true.

[Presidential33]

Thank you so much everybody for your replies!

This has made me more confident in my kilt and it's fit.

I didnt think a kilt was that vulnerable of a covering

I will be wearing underwear for sure!

[ForresterModern]

Since the top of your kilt rides higher than your everyday jeans by several inches you will naturally feel a pull in at the navel level when bending or sitting, some of which may be improved with proper fitting of a bespoke kilt. Also, since your belt rides higher as well it may be causing some of that pressure.

If you do a good job sweeping your pleats when you sit down the pleat rise in the back should be minimal, and I can usually keep my pleast down near my lower thighs. But if you have a large derriere' (ask robert to translate if necessary) you may end up iwth an overhang scenario which could cause greater posterior coverage issues ( actually less coverage)when sitting.

Best advice is get used to sweeping your pleats fully while bending 45 degrees forward when first sitting, then pushing down your front apron center while dropping to your seat and using your sporran to help keep your aprons down. Avoid low cushy couches at all cost. Crossing your legs can be problematic unless well practiced---instead keep your neeks a few inches apart. Never attempt the cowboy leg cross----one ankle up on the opposite knee without lots of experimentation or experience---very challenging maneuver, and I doubt one that is seen often in the highlands. Always be consious of pushing down your appron front until it becomes second nature.

j

[Mike M.]

I have the same sort of problems with shirts...a shirt that fits OK standing will be too tight sitting down. Gentlemen of Substance bulk out when we sit down...and I suspect that Gentlemen of Less Substance do, too.

Elastic kilt straps, perhaps?

[Spartan Tartan]

Thanks for asking this question! As a newbie to both this forum and kilt wearing, I hadn't considered that others may have experienced the same as for the "bulging".

Sweeping the pleats sounds like something to practice. As for the bulging in the waist, that may be a trip (or a few) to the fitness center...

[tulloch]

I agree that it naturally pulls up in back when we sit. It is a better garment suited to standing and walking. Next time you wear a bathrobe look at how the back pulls up when you sit. Same thing. The kilt also does promote good posture. I wear a belt almost all the time. I pull it pretty tight and that helps keep my belly in place and relieves some lower back pain that I live with.

I would love to see photos of this fine garment please. Merry Christmas. Welcome to the rabble!

[Mike_Oettle]

Mike M wrote: “I have the same sort of problems with shirts . . .”

Off-the-peg shirts are generally made much too short nowadays.
They pull out of trousers, and could be a real nuisance with the kilt, too.
Regards,
Mike