fat guy question

[weeknee]

To be blunt and to the point, Im a big fat guy. Im getting my first cilt for my birthday and was wondering where it should ride. Ive seen where they ride up around the belly button but the way i wear my pants is under my gut, thats whats comfortable for me. When taking measurments,should i measure where the waistband of my pants ride or around the belly button?? Im having an x cilt made if that makes a difference. Thanx all for the warm welcome.

[Hothir Ethelnor]

Most gentlemen of substance... find that after the initial strangeness, wearing a nice kilt up at the navel is a very comfortable and flattering look.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I think a kilt looks much better on a "man of substance" when worn high above the navel, where the kilt is designed to be worn. If worn below the belly, it actually tends to draw attention to your gut and ends up looking like you are still trying to fit into a kilt you had made in slimmer days. So I vote for wearing the kilt high, at the natural waist.

[azwildcat96]

Fat or skinny, I vote for about 2" above the belly button! Stick with tradition!

[creagdhubh]

I think a kilt looks much better on a "man of substance" when worn high above the navel, where the kilt is designed to be worn. If worn below the belly, it actually tends to draw attention to your gut and ends up looking like you are still trying to fit into a kilt you had made in slimmer days. So I vote for wearing the kilt high, at the natural waist.

I concur with Matt. Wear it at your navel mate. Good luck.

[peacekeeper83]

I agree... wear it higher... you will learn to appreciate the fit... I have..

[ForresterModern]

I suggest before you buy that you take a look at the Social Group "Gentlemen of Substance", see the pictures there, check out pictures posted on the personal pages of the members of that group, including myself, and see for yourself how the kilt is worn by those of us whom God hath heftily endowed. Pretty much all of us wear them at or above the navel.

Please feel free to join the social group while you are there. We may be big, but there is still plenty of room left in the group.


jeff

[Tobus]

Another +1 to what Matt said. As a matter of fact, I saw a fellow over the weekend at the Highland Games that was a "gentleman of substance" who was wearing it below his belly. It was not a good look. It very much emphasized his belly, especially since it made the front of the kilt dip down and the belt dipped down even more.

If you wear it up at proper kilt height (i.e. the waist) and use sporran hangars instead of a sporran belt, it looks much better.

You may be aware of this already, but most kiltmakers will charge a premium for larger fellows since it takes more yardage of fabric. So don't be insulted or surprised by it. It really does cost them significantly more, due to the higher number of pleats.

[thescot]

Oh, my friend and fellow gentleman of substance, believe me when I say that at or just above the navel is the best option. Looks good, feels better, and is the correct way to wear a kilt.

Welcome to the fray.

[Kilted_John]

You definitely want to wear it higher up. As another somewhat portly kiltwearer, I've found that it doesn't look right if I have the kilt low or sagging in the front. A kilt no-no can be seen in my latest picture thread with the Oregon Trail T-shirt. I should've straightened the kilt out before I took the pic. All of my other photos have shown my kilt being worn at the navel, where it belongs.

-J