Has anyone had a dress, pleated-to-sett kilt resized?

[Celticman]

Hello all,

I have a question about having a dress kilt resized. I have lost a bit of my beer-belly (despite my best efforts to maintain it) and my kilt is a bit large in the waist. As it is right now I am sinching up the kilt on the last hole in the buckles and it is still a wee bit loose. So, I was planning on taking it to a seamstress to have it taken in a bit.

I don't know anyone who has had this done so I don't know if this is going to be worth the effort. Since a nice kilt is rather expensive these days I would rather have my kilt refitted rather than purchase another one. However, I would rather spend a bit of money to have a kilt that I am proud to wear than to wear a kilt that looks sloppy.

Any thoughts?

[Dreadbelly]

Kilts are easy to take in or let out. Some folks here might even know who you could send your kilt to to have it done.

It shouldn't be a problem at all.

[Celticman]

Thanks for the input...I was not sure if it could be done or not.

Some advice would be helpful as to whom to send my kilt to. I will search the local area to see...but, if it's as "easy to take in" as you say it is I'm sure any seamstress should be able to do it.

Again, thanks for the help.

[Dreadbelly]

Actually, for taking it in a bit, all you would need to do is pop your buckles back a notch or two and sew them in place.

I think.

Hmm?

[Celticman]

I thought about doing just that, but the holes where the belt slips through the fabric would either bunch up (and, thus, look bad), or would not line up at all. Besides, I am not confident enough in my sewing abilities to do that, but I will definitly suggest that to whoever I send it to to be altered.

[Doc Hudson]

On the right side, move the buckles. On the left side, move the strap.

Of course the easiest method would be to just regain the weight.

[MDR-V300]

I don't mean to be discouraging, but there's something important to note.

I'm currently taking in a 'tank' for a friend in the same situation [lost the beer belly], and just moving in the belt/buckles won't result in a proper fit. His seat measurement stayed the same, and his belly came in over 4 inches - that changes the amount of taper required dramatically, and is a pile of work.

If he weren't a friend, I'd charge him like crazy for it, because it's most of the way towards building a new kilt [only with the wrong lines already pressed in].


Now, that said, moving the buckles and belt [and yes, you can totally do it yourself if you try] will keep the kilt from falling down, and won't look terrible. It all depends on what you want. If you're trying to save money, try the simplest option first, and see if you like the results.

[Celticman]

Ya...I was afraid of that. I thought about that and I don't see any easy way to make the proper alterations without taking the kilt completely apart. It appears that my best option is to sell this one and buy another.

Hmmmm.....

[bubba]

An inch or 2 you can get away with just moving straps and buckles, but more than that it won't look good.

[chasem]

what size is the current kilt?