Mesuring for first Kilt.

[Wyoming Highlander]

I am looking at ordering a kilt this morning and they wanted to know,Waist size at navel. Am I going to be wearing it around my waist or around my gut? Thanks.

[Spartan Tartan]

Traditional kilts are worn higher than pants. They are worn at the "natural" waist, which is usually around the naval--mine is a bit higher.

It may sound odd right now, although it is comfortable and you get used to it. In any event, you will want to wear it at the point where the measurements were taken...

[Schiehallion]

Just don't wear it under your guy... not a good look!

[AKScott]

If you put one hand on each flank near the height of you navel and then lean left and right, the spot where your skin wants to crease is pretty much your "natural" waist, it ought to be within a finger width or two vertically of your belly button.

Top of kilt is worn much higher than typical pants.

[English Bloke]

Pictures always help.

This is where I wear my kilts. As you can see, higher than your average pants...



Others may wish to differ.

[muirkirkca]

I wear my kilt similar to " English Bloke" and in my case 23.5 inch plus 2 inch rise so that my belt rides on my hip bone.

[xman]

The kilt wants to be worn this way. A properly made kilt will natural find itself around your waist with a modest rise above that for the top half of the belt and the top band. It's one of the reasons a kilt is so comfortable.

Those are jammin' hose, John. Where did you get them?

[MacMillan's son]

If you put one hand on each flank near the height of you navel and then lean left and right, the spot where your skin wants to crease is pretty much your "natural" waist, it ought to be within a finger width or two vertically of your belly button.

Top of kilt is worn much higher than typical pants.

Yep!

It does take some getting used to especially if you typically wear low rise jeans like Levis 501s. I am a Wrangler kind of guy and they tend to be cut a but higher so the difference was not quite so extreme for me.

It is really important to communicate with your kilt maker about measurements, PRIOR to ordering. This board is full of stories about people who thought they were ordering one type of fit, and who were greatly disappointed when the kilt arrived, due to unclear communication. The most common problem seems to occur in the overall length of the kilt, and whether or not the kilt maker is adding the "rise" to the dimension you gave them. This has resulted in many a kilt that was either 2" too long or 2" too short.

Here is another visual aid to add to English Bloke's. You can see that the waist is worn higher on the body than pants. That "V" created between my right arm and my torso is a little above my hip bone, where I would normally wear my pants. You can see the top of the kilt is another 3" or so above that. This is, of course, just a reference, your fit will likely be different.





Welcome aboard!!

Brooke

[English Bloke]

... Those are jammin' hose, John. Where did you get them?

I got the hose in a shop in North Yorkshire (with ties) but they are from House of Cheviot. I love 'em. I want more but my wife keeps telling me that paying £25 for a pair of socks is almost as mad as ... oh never mind.

[robbiethepiper]

I am looking at ordering a kilt this morning and they wanted to know,Waist size at navel. Am I going to be wearing it around my waist or around my gut? Thanks.

Depends what sort of kilt! Casual kilts are usually made to fit more or less like trousers. At the other extreme, traditional military kilts have a 4" rise which means the top of the kilt is touching your ribcage. Essential to talk to the maker...