Larger men and kilts

**ktaylo12** · 29th December 10, 11:41 AM

I am looking to buy my first kilt but am having some hesitation on the measurements I should take. I am a large man (approx. 300lbs) with a pronounced mid-section and concerned that the measurements I will be awkward and my kilt will not fit properly. Do you have any advice for a larger man taking kilt measurements? Thanks everyone.

**HeathBar** · 29th December 10, 12:12 PM

A kilt made for you using your measurements will look great. Talk directly to the kiltmaker and asked what kind of experience they have with making kilts for large men. And ask them how best to take the measurements. Taking the measurements is not something you will be able to yourself, you'll need help. We have several experienced kiltmakers here on the forum. I'd go with one of them for your request.

**Downix** · 29th December 10, 12:30 PM

As a larger man who'se made his own kilts, I can tell you it's no more difficult to make a kilt for a man with a pronounced midsection than not.

**Burly Brute** · 29th December 10, 01:04 PM

Originally Posted by ktaylo12

I am looking to buy my first kilt but am having some hesitation on the measurements I should take. I am a large man (approx. 300lbs) with a pronounced mid-section and concerned that the measurements I will be awkward and my kilt will not fit properly. Do you have any advice for a larger man taking kilt measurements? Thanks everyone.

My advice would be to find a kilt rental shop nearest to you and have them help you. Done right, I find the kilt to be quite sliming.

**CaseyB** · 29th December 10, 04:10 PM

Agreed with all of the above. Have a kiltmaker help you with the measurements and the kilt will fit and look fantastic!

**Tartan Tess** · 29th December 10, 04:35 PM

And, if you have problems with belts, remember alot of larger sized kilt wearers use suspenders in addition to the straps and buckles.

**Nighthawk** · 29th December 10, 05:03 PM

As a larger guy myself, I have to agree with what has been said. I find it more comfortable myself to wear my kilt at a military rise- meaning about 2 inches higher in the waist that normal- because I can snug it down a little more when sitting so certain parts of my anatomy stay covered! Also, on the subject of belts, contact these guys:

http://renleather.com/plugins/MivaMe...s/merchant.mvc

They make superb products and will take special orders. I highly recommend them!

**Matty Ross** · 29th December 10, 09:18 PM

As a big guy (245) I too can relate. The most important question is where is it the most Comfortable or where do you wear your pants, at the hips or up around belly. Most web sites recommend you wear the kilt at the navel If you also wear your pants up high then by all means wear your kilt there too. Personally I wear my pants down at my hips. For me to tighten a belt around my soft middle is VERY uncomfortable so I also wear my kilts lower at my hips. Then you have the problem of kilt length. It you are going with a custom kilt you can order it shorter. If you buy a ready made they are usually too long I have shortened a few and bought some shorter. Again the most important rule is wear it where you are the most comfortable.

**ForresterModern** · 30th December 10, 06:28 AM

As a fellow "Gentleman of Substance", as we describe ourselves in a social group here on the forum, with a bit of a belly myself (6'5" 270# just down from 290 this time last year) I can wholly sympathize with your concerns. Many solutioons have been mentioned above and all or variances of all are what I myself have used, but still occasionally find my kilt slipping down on my hips in a too low position (except when wearing braces). I wear my kilts at navel height or slightly higher, with a very taut belt to help hold all up in place, use sporran hangers rather than a strap or chains which tend to undermine the belly and make the aprons a bit mussed. The only unfortunate part of wearing hangers is that they pull down on the belt making the tendency for the kilt to drop even more likely. I have found that better fitted kilts do hang on better than an off the peg version. Braces can be a distraction when not covered by a vest or sweater (waistcoat or jumper to our UK brethren). One potential solution that has not been mentioned, if you decide to wear your kilt high at the navel, is to take a swath of the rubber mesh style material used to line glassses cupboards or underneath throw rugs to keep them from sliding on wooden or tile floors. Wrapping one's waist in such material before donning the kilt may help keep it from slipping down. Alternatively, even temporarily attaching a circumferential swath temporarily to the inside of your kilt lining, with safety pins, will also work wonders with a kilt and a belly.

Good luck, and post some photos when you are finally kilted succcessfully.

jeff

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 30th December 10, 06:47 AM

I've made kilts for men with waist sizes up to 74". Generally, the larger men I've made kilts for tend to look better in their kilts than in their regular clothing. The kilt, after all, was made specifically to their measurements and so fit them perfectly, unlike the majority of their clothing that was purchased off the rack.