The Duke of Windsor's Waistline

**Jock Scot** · 2nd April 12, 01:02 AM

Pssst, can I give you a quiet word of advice, whilst no one is about?

Your hose tops could look a lot more in proportion and the flashes would then be higher up, where they normally live.

The easy way is fold the bottom edge of you hose tops back to the top(thus halving the turnover), that may not be possible as the now inside of the hose top will now be on the outside and might look all wrong.

The slightly more complicated (to explain!) is fold the bottom two thirds of the hose top back up to the top so that one third is actually near the knee and then fold the top third back over the rest so that the outside pattern is showing. Looks a tad chunky, but more in proportion.

Hope you don't mind, me saying? Ignore me if you wish!

**MacMillans son** · 2nd April 12, 06:38 AM

Sorry X, I didn't catch the original thread on your first kilt. For those of us not quite savvy on kilt construction, what makes this waist different than other kilts ? It appears to be cut higher in the back than in the front, but we see plenty of kilts here that are just worn that way (especially by our...errr....more round middled members). Can you clarify for us, perhaps with the difference in construction techniques or challenges?

**xman** · 2nd April 12, 08:32 AM

Originally Posted by MacMillan's son

Sorry X, I didn't catch the original thread on your first kilt. For those of us not quite savvy on kilt construction, what makes this waist different than other kilts ? It appears to be cut higher in the back than in the front, but we see plenty of kilts here that are just worn that way (especially by our...errr....more round middled members). Can you clarify for us, perhaps with the difference in construction techniques or challenges?

This is the original thread. You're right, Terry. The waist is higher in the back than in the front. This should be of a benefit more or less to anyone who wears their kilt lower in the front because it'll keep the hem line even front to back as Steve explains in his measurements guide video. It is also a bit of a trainer for the mini kilt I am starting now. Since I will be wearing this kilt in a seated position very often, I wanted to get the bulk of fabric from the traditional waistline out of my way. My first impression is that it has worked, but I'll have to wait for a while to get better acquainted with the new style. My other first impression is that I could have made the kilt sit a little lower just above my hip bones and the angle would be of more benefit still. Also, for someone as small as I am I think the angle is a bit steep. It's not at all uncomfortable, but aesthetically it's slightly stark

Originally Posted by sydnie7

No waistband.

Actually there is a medium/heavyweight black cotton waistband above the pleats. For the rest I just pulled the fabric over to create the top. The only other real difference in construction is that the canvass in the front needed to be shaped to accommodate the angle, a little more so on the under apron that the over.

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Your hose tops could look a lot more in proportion and the flashes would then be higher up, where they normally live.

I shall take it under advisement.

**creagdhubh** · 2nd April 12, 08:52 AM

Well done mate!

I have seen various photos of the late Duke of Windsor's (highly organised, in which I love) closet before, very interesting to observe indeed - notice the 'blanket/day' plaid in the restricted Balmoral tartan hanging directly behind the matching kilt (see photo and video link below of both of these garments in action), you can also see the same check jacket and waistcoat HRH is wearing in the visual examples below, hanging behind the plaid. It is said that HRH maintained the same waistline all of his life and judging by the many photos and videos I have seen of The Duke of Windsor through the years, I would have to agree. Should we all be so lucky.

Perfect examples of how to traditionally wear a 'blanket/day' plaid whilst kilted:

http://www.britishpathe.com/video/th...query/Balmoral

Cheers,

P.S. - I own the same style and colour of hose you are wearing in your series of photos, as well as many other colours of this particular style made by House of Cheviot. I have always bought size small, even though technically I should wear a size large due to my foot size and height, however, I find that size small hose in this style (and that goes for country socks as well), with the rather lengthy turnover, is far better suited on my legs than a larger size. The larger size go too far up my legs and practically 'swallow up' my knee-cap - not so good - whereas with the size small, the top of the turnover reaches about a 2-3 finger breadth beneath my knee-cap, thus wearing the kilt hose at their appropriate height and I do not have to worry about 'doubling over' the tops inadvertently creating a pair of 'giant,' unsightly cuffs! Just something to think about.

**JSFMACLJR** · 2nd April 12, 06:47 PM

Originally Posted by creagdhubh

Well done mate!

I have seen various photos of the late Duke of Windsor's (highly organised, in which I love) closet before, very interesting to observe indeed - notice the 'blanket/day' plaid in the restricted Balmoral tartan hanging directly behind the matching kilt (see photo and video link below of both of these garments in action), you can also see the same check jacket and waistcoat His Grace is wearing in the visual examples below, hanging behind the plaid. It is said that His Grace maintained the same waistline all of his life and judging by the many photos and videos I have seen of the Duke through the years, I would have to agree. Should we all be so lucky.

Perfect examples of how to traditionally wear a 'blanket/day' plaid whilst kilted:

http://www.britishpathe.com/video/th...query/Balmoral

Cheers,

P.S. - I own the same style and colour of hose you are wearing in your series of photos, as well as many other colours of this particular style made by House of Cheviot. I have always bought size small, even though technically I should wear a size large due to my foot size and height, however, I find that size small hose in this style (and that goes for country socks as well), with the rather lengthy turnover, is far better suited on my legs than a larger size. The larger size go too far up my legs and practically 'swallow up' my knee-cap - not so good - whereas with the size small, the top of the turnover reaches about a 2-3 finger breadth beneath my knee-cap, thus wearing the kilt hose at their appropriate height and I do not have to worry about 'doubling over' the tops inadvertently creating a pair of 'giant,' unsightly cuffs! Just something to think about.

PS to Kyle ( creagdhubh ) : HRH The Duke of Windsor would have been called "His Royal Highness" rather than "His Grace", as he was a royal duke.

**MacGumerait** · 3rd April 12, 12:42 AM

Originally Posted by JSFMACLJR

PS to Kyle ( creagdhubh ) : HRH The Duke of Windsor would have been called "His Royal Highness" rather than "His Grace", as he was a royal duke.

You are correct he was an HRH , the title Duke of Windsor was given to him after he abdicated the throne .

Anyhow , back on subject . Love the kilt "xmarks " ! I notice you are wearing leather sporran straps . I have seen many opinions about leather versus chain . I have both , what's your take ? Just curious .

**Downunder Kilt** · 3rd April 12, 02:04 AM

Post deleted

**xman** · 3rd April 12, 02:13 AM

Originally Posted by MacGumerait

Anyhow , back on subject . Love the kilt "xmarks " ! I notice you are wearing leather sporran straps . I have seen many opinions about leather versus chain . I have both , what's your take ? Just curious .

It's xman actually or you can just call me X.

For one, I hold to the generally accepted wisdom that chains will ruin the wool. I've never seen any evidence to that effect (anyone?) but it seems logical and better safe than sorry, no? For another, I don't know if it's generally viewed this way by others or not, but I see chains as formal wear and dragon boating is athletics.

**sydnie7** · 3rd April 12, 08:01 AM

[QUOTE=xman;1081624][snip] For one, I hold to the generally accepted wisdom that chains will ruin the wool. I've never seen any evidence to that effect (anyone?) but it seems logical and better safe than sorry, no? [snip]/QUOTE]

I have seen, felt, and commiserated with the owner over damage to a "tank" caused by a fancy chain sporran strap. Obvious pills, pulls, and broken woolen threads from sharp edges. Chain in question is made up of a series of Saltires, IIRC -- anyway, it's a series of rectangular decorative elements, not plain links.

Back to topic, this method of tapering the waistline is sometimes irreverently called the "gut cut" and you might find more references to it on the forum using that search term, if the search function will take it (sometimes it doesn't like really short words).

**cruiser348** · 3rd April 12, 08:33 AM

Originally Posted by xman

It's xman actually or you can just call me X.

For one, I hold to the generally accepted wisdom that chains will ruin the wool. I've never seen any evidence to that effect (anyone?) but it seems logical and better safe than sorry, no? For another, I don't know if it's generally viewed this way by others or not, but I see chains as formal wear and dragon boating is athletics.

I can't seem to find the thread with the search function right now (maybe it's too old for the new system??). However, I do recall a thread where someone posted pictures of a kilt that was damaged by abrasion from the metal clasps that connect the chain to the small ring strap on the back of a sporran. If I recall correctly I believe it had actually led to a hole in the material.