Keepng a kilt up

[Daneel]

I was watching Highlander last night. I had not watched it for a few years, and was struck with the thought ' how do you keep your kilt from falling off when fighting, running, chasing and being beaten up let alone walking down the proverbial street'. Chris Lambert seemed at times ready to lose his as it was creeping downwards in some scenes. Whats the secret? Mine has nearly hit the deck on several occasions.

[ByDand]

Stainless steel surgical screws! Actually, with a traditional kilt and the buckles, I have had to run a couple of times and had no problems. I was wondering about the kilted regiments in WW I and their problems in and out of the trenches and on the battle field. I really tighten the buckles and make sure my kilt belt is tight. Other than that....good luck!

[Archangel]

Costume assistants help a lot. Frequent scene shoots also work in your favour. Good editing can remove the scenes where the kilt did fall down or expose you (a la Devil's Brigade). In Highlander the best defense is great audio, dare you to play it without sound and realize what a crummy movie it really is (except for the brilliant flashback scenes).

Off course, in real life a good kiltmaker taking the right measurements is your best hope. (The Regimental kilt would have a much higher waist and a belt so the kilt would stay in position while running.)

[Planopiper]

I can't imagine how a kilt could fall down. I suppose if the waist were bigger than the hips. In which case you'd probably need suspenders to hold it up when you're just standing there. And if you're wearing suspenders, then you've solved the falling-down problem.

[Hamish]

A true traditional kilt, especially the military kilt, with the 'rise' above the waist, should be worn almost as tightly strapped as a corset. That way your kilt is going nowhere.

Probably because of having learned that at an early age, I have almost always worn all my kilts tightly at the waist, and I invariably wear a wide belt, even with my modern hipster-style kilts. I do not think I have ever come close to having a kilt slip, or feel like it was about to!

[flyv65]

I will sometimes omit the belt on my 16 oz kilt, but I'ver never had to worry about having the tank slide down past my hips...ever. Now, I wouldn't go around in my Utilikilt without a belt, but it's obviously cut and sized differently.

Bryan...don't need suspenders yet...

[yoippari]

umm, wouldn't suspenders have the opposite problem?

With my stillwater I have no worries of it falling down. I don't use the straps at all (I am border line between two sizes and opted for the larger of the two), just the belt set tight. I with the belt was more adjustable though. Sure I can change the size, but I have to have the kilt off and then I have to "crease" the thick leather.

[James]

In all my years of kilt wearing I've never had any problem with keeping it in place-the straps reasonably well done up-and it will stay in place.

In fact the only peril I can envisage would be if a strap broke, but even then the entire kilt would not fall off.

So whilst there can be many little traps connected with kilt wearing-it falling off is not I think something to worry about.

After all chaps in trousers 'outside the circus' do not have them falling off-so why kilts?

Over the tears I've camped, crossed obstacles, scrambled and even in a less sane moment demonstrated the gate-vault in a kilt-all without a problem: so I for one have no intention of worrying now.


James

[Jerry]

I can't imagine how a kilt could fall down. I suppose if the waist were bigger than the hips. In which case you'd probably need suspenders to hold it up when you're just standing there. And if you're wearing suspenders, then you've solved the falling-down problem.

I'm 62, and have a bit of a "beer gut or middle age spread" as they say, so my hips are the same or even slightly smaller than my kilt waist. On top of that, I've dropped 6 pounds since I started going to the gym.I was already wearing my kilts with the straps set at their tightest. I never have to loosen or unbuckle the straps tp put my kilts on, just step into the kilt and pull it up and tuck in my shirt. They stay up fine when I'm just standing or walking slowly. and so far, I haven't actually felt like one was going to fall off, but they do all feel loose. I take care of the problem by keeping my kilt belt tighter than most might consider. I need to find someone locally who can move the straps and buckles for me, especially if I lose a few more pounds.

[Graham]

Hey Daneel! are things getting a bit rough in Northern Ireland? Are you finding a need to run or fight?

Just don't wear a football top walking down Shankill Road or in any pubs.
Stay home and have a nice cuppa tea;)