Resizing a Kilt?

[Benning Boy]

You could easily make a smaller kilt work just by the use of strap extenders, or whatever they're called. They're just straps that strap onto the straps and make them effectively longer. You should be able to find them through any X Marks advertiser. You might try Highland Express. I have it on good authority that quite a few sellers of kilt straps and buckles actually get them through Highland Express, even very big names in the kilt world. I use extender straps on a couple of my kilts. The straps help keep me motivated as I lose weight. I'm looking forward to the day when I can "throw away the crutches."

A larger kilt could be tightened up by moving the buckle(s) on the right side and the strap on the left side. Barb Tewksbury has related here and elsewhere just how great a change can be made doing this. Consult the Professional Kilt Makers forum here. Scroll back through the contents.

[Norbo]

This is something I have also asked as I seea lot that are to small . Having had a look at quight a few I fined that making big er can be done if they have folds at ether side of the kilt but most do not and if they do they are quight small/

However I have made big kilts small many times and have 4 kilts now that were a lot bigger and now fit .I simply move the straps and buckles and wrap them round more . I'm not saying they are perfect as the pleats fold under the front apran . But I don't see a problem with this and they retain the weight ,I didn't want to start cutting bits of.

[GrainReaper]

I have successfully moved the buckles and strap in on two kilts with great success, what started out too big on me now fits perfectly and took an honest 20 minutes with a needle and thread.

I second finding one the right length, I have one that was too long, you just might die of old age before you get it properly hemmed and pressed

[Calgacus]

Listen to Steve, what he says is very true.

I have a kilt which I have worn for over 25 years. When I first got it, it was if anything a little too big in the waist for me, so the buckles were moved to suit. Some of the pleats lay under the front apron, but that looked ok. I think you can get away with making a kilt roughly 3" to 4" smaller than its intended size.

As I got older, I had to move the buckles 2", which made the kilt if anything a better fit, as it was closer to the intended size. As I got older again, I moved the buckles once more by 2". Now, the kilt is at the point where the outer apron does not quite cover all that it should. I wear the kilt when hiking, but I wouldn't wear it to any sort of formal or evening event as I do not think it now looks good enough due to the slight 'gap' where the apron does not quite meet the pleats. Furthermore, my waist got a bit bigger but my hips did not, so the kilt no longer fits quite right at the hips. This means that it tends to sag a little at the back.

In short, I think you can take a kilt in by 3"-4", or let it out by 1" from its intended size range before compromises start to be made. I personally don't think it's worthwhile buying any kilt that's not the correct length to begin with.

By 'intended size range', I mean the size the kilt was designed to be, including the range of adjustment afforded by the straps. So, 'going beyond the intended size range' involves moving the buckles.

Just my experience.