measurements

**NewEnglander** · 5th January 10, 06:56 PM

I've just seen that Burnett & Struth has a 16oz casual kilt in Ancient MacPherson on sale.

I took a look at their order form and have a question about rise. I have my waist (at navel) and hip measurements that have worked so well for my casual kilt from USA Kilts as well as the length of that kilt (from navel down).
My question is will these same measurements work for a Burnett & Struth kilt? And how do I determine how much of a rise to order? Is it something I should measure or just a matter of personal preference?

**longhuntr74** · 5th January 10, 07:17 PM

Rise is a matter of preference....most kilts come in a 2" rise, with the 4" rise being commonly associated with military surplus/issue kilts. 2" rise will be 2" above your natural waist and will be over your navel. A 4" rise kilt would extend up above your bottom ribs, or so I've read anyways.

**NewEnglander** · 6th January 10, 04:23 AM

So do USAK's kilts NOT have a rise at all? It looks like the shortest rise available from B&S is 1.5".

**Mike in Dayton** · 6th January 10, 06:05 AM

I find this confusing also, but it should not be. All of my kilts are from manufactures that specify the length as the total from hem to the top of the waistband. For me that is 23". Looking at measurements where a "rise" specified it appears the reference point is the middle of the top buckle. The "rise" being the distance from the middle of the top buckle to the top of the kilt. Looking at one of my "no rise specified" kilts I see that measurement is 1-3/4". So, if I ordered a hand made kilt that specified a rise would I specify the length as 21" with a 2" rise? Would I still specify 23" and have kilt that rides 2" higher at my waist than my other kilts? I think I should be targeting the middle of the top buckle to be at my navel. Is this correct thinking or am I looking at this wrong?

Mike

**Pleater** · 6th January 10, 07:02 AM

Now I have read - but it was on X marks so it should be right - that there is no universal method for measuring the length of kilts, just as there is no hard and fast rule on how much material there might be, but that each maker should make it clear just how the measurements should be taken for their kilts.

On the order form it states the method to use pretty clearly, and that the length measured is from the buckles - ( I assume that is the waistline, the narrowest part of the kilt and the anatomy usually matching up ) and that the rise will be added onto that measurement. It does assume that you wish to wear your kilt with the selvage at the point marked on your leg - but that is something for you to decide.

If you were predisposed to wearing really wide belts, or were disproportionately long in the upper body then a rise wider than 2 inches might be a good idea, but I suspect that for the average sort a rise of 2 inches or even slightly less will be correct.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

**NewEnglander** · 6th January 10, 10:08 AM

I'll probably go with the shortest rise as I'm not all that tall.
Can any B&S casual owners chime in with their impressions of the rise of the kilts or how they measured before ordering.
I'd love to place my order this afternoon!
Thanks much...

**fluter** · 6th January 10, 10:46 AM

"waist (at the navel)" ... "top buckle to be at my navel"

Guys, your natural waist is what we should be discussing---not your navel. Now, it's probably within an inch of the navel, so you should be close.

Step one, find your waist.

Mike, if you order a hand-made kilt then (drum roll) you should discuss the measurements in detail with your kiltmaker. That's an advantage of a hand-made kilt, it's definitely going to be made to fit your body and not some Platonic ideal concept of a body. Don't make assumptions from some generalization that I give you, although I hope my generalizations may be helpful! Ask the kiltmaker.

**NewEnglander** · 6th January 10, 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by fluter

"waist (at the navel)" ... "top buckle to be at my navel"

Guys, your natural waist is what we should be discussing---not your navel. Now, it's probably within an inch of the navel, so you should be close.

Step one, find your waist.

Mike, if you order a hand-made kilt then (drum roll) you should discuss the measurements in detail with your kiltmaker. That's an advantage of a hand-made kilt, it's definitely going to be made to fit your body and not some Platonic ideal concept of a body. Don't make assumptions from some generalization that I give you, although I hope my generalizations may be helpful! Ask the kiltmaker.

I meant that for my current kilt (which is a USAK casual and one that I choose to wear slightly lower than at my "natural" waist) I took my "waist" measurement at my navel...and I love the way the kilt fits that way. I'm trying to sort out if those measurements will work for a casual kilt from B&S.
Thanks to all for their input. I just browsed through all the pages of the casual kilts they have on sale and am psyched to see a muted MacPherson listed, which I prefer over the ancient.

**RockyR** · 6th January 10, 11:21 AM

BURNETTS AND STRUTH have an excellent reputation and should be able to answer all of your questions to make sure the kilt and fit is exactly what you expect from them. Call them and have them walk you through their measuring process if there's a question.

Originally Posted by fluter

Mike, if you order a hand-made kilt then (drum roll) you should discuss the measurements in detail with your kiltmaker. That's an advantage of a hand-made kilt, it's definitely going to be made to fit your body and not some Platonic ideal concept of a body. Don't make assumptions from some generalization that I give you, although I hope my generalizations may be helpful! Ask the kiltmaker.

GENERAL SWEEPING STATEMENTS: I echo these comments to the letter (as will Steve and many other kiltmakers up here). Always contact and confer with the kiltmaker or at least the person you're ordering your kilt from (if they aren't the kiltmaker themselves, they SHOULD still be able to answer all of your questions) to ask them questions about how their kilts fit... each company does things a little differently.

If the person you speak to is not the kiltmaker (or at least A kiltmaker) and only takes orders for kilts and passes the order on and doesn't know their product inside and out, you may be better off ordering from a company that DOES know their product inside and out, even if the price is a little higher, as you'll be assured a proper fit.

That's my $.02...

I'm stepping off the soap box now.

**NewEnglander** · 6th January 10, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by RockyR

B
That's my $.02...

I'm stepping off the soap box now.

Thanks, Rocky. The MacPherson hunting you made for me is incredible and sealed the deal for me and kilts. After my foray with B&S (tartan choice!) I'll be back in touch with you for my NEXT next kilt. ;)
I'll ring up Canada when I get home this afternoon.