[Slag101]

I hope this is in the right place. If not, mods please move.

I bought a kilt 2nd hand knowing it was to big, and have every intention of having it altered, as it was not too to big. I tried it on only to find that it is literally a hair too big.

Here is my dilema: It is just too big enough to not be able to wear it, but not to big that it seems worth a major alteration fee. My wife suggests punching an extra hole in the leather straps. Does this sound like a good idea? Any help from the experts would be greatly appreciated.

[piperdbh]

I'm no expert, but I know of men who have either punched an extra hole in the strap or repositioned it to accommodate changing waistlines. The kiltmakers can tell you how to go about this. Good luck!

[Kiltman]

Originally Posted by piperdbh

I'm no expert, but I know of men who have either punched an extra hole in the strap or repositioned it to accommodate changing waistlines. The kiltmakers can tell you how to go about this. Good luck!

Yes, you can punch and extra hole. Better is to move the under apron strap and the buckle on the side of the upper apron. Sounds like you don't need to move them much. That is move the strap on the left side (the one that goes through the button hole) and the buckle on the right side. Sounds like you won't need to move them much.

[Rex_Tremende]

I've been shrinking out of my kilts for a while. I had a casual wool kilt that I decided I could put an extra pair of holes into the straps to snug it up a bit. It worked OK, but keep in mind that there's a limit to the amount of leather you have left. My buckles on that kilt are snugged up right onto the tartan, and it looks a little weird when I don't wear a belt.

If you need to take it in more, the only alteration you will need is to move the inside strap and the outside buckle an equal distance toward the center of the kilt. This is a minor alteration, and if you talk nice to the right person, you might even get that done at no cost.

Regards,
Rex.

[Slag101]

This kilt is so nice that I wouldn't mind paying to have it adjusted if need be (Iwouldn't complain if someone helped the new guy out fo' free). I got this thing for a steal. It is a traditional 8 yard, and I paid less than a 1/4 of what it is worth, so, if the best thing to do is have a professional alter it for a fee I would do that too. I just don't want to damage it.

[fluter]

The safest course is to leave the fabric untouched, and move the strap/buckle as described. There is a limit to how much you can take up that way---you might start to feel that the buckles are meeting in the back and it throws off the geometry a bit --- but it sounds as though less than an inch is needed?

If someone does this for you, they may think initially that each side must be moved half the needed amount. Since it's a wrap-around, BOTH sides need to be moved the full amount. So if the waist needs to be a centimeter smaller, then both sides move by a centimeter.

Finally, if you spring for a copy of The Book you'll see how to do it yourself; and it will give you an appreciation for how this nice garment is put together!