waist versus hips question

[cwr89]

I until just recently when I joind this forum thought that a kilt was supposed to be worn at the hips, (under my unfortunately large belly) I thought it was just like any other pair of pants I owned. but, I started wearing mine at the waist and I notice a couple of things. 1) it was colder, it used to come down over the knees. 2) it was a bit more free in movement. 3) it was acward (sp?) because I am a teenager who is used to wearing pants at the hips, (I am a special breed of teenager, I resist the pop culture of wearing pants without a belt and at the knees ;) ). 4) If felt a bit tight on me.

I think that most of these things that I found are that I my kilt as a more funtional costume. (because I didn't know about the kilt stores online to get one.) so my kilt is nothing more than a rectanular green (wallace I think) hunk of tartan cloth with some pleats and velcro. and an over apron that acts as a sash and is wrapped around me most of the time.

but I am happy to say that I ordered my first real kilt last night with the thought that I will wear it at the waist. I love how I order a 44" kilt for my self while I wear a 36 in men's pants. I can admit that my belly is there but eeek!
(if you want to know I ordered a Irsh National Tarton Stillwater economy kilt)

~Casey

[The Wizard of BC]

From a kiltmakers viewpoint here are some random thoughts.

1 The only case I can think of where your hips will be smaller than your waist is if you can back up to a wall and the first thing that touches is your waist. If your butt touches first your hips WILL be the larger measurement.
Remember how a kilt is supposed to fit. The aprons in the front are supposed to drape straight down in front. No puckers, no bulges. The tapering is all in the back. So if when you back up to a wall and your butt touches first your kiltmaker must taper up to the waist.

2 DO NOT USE YOUR PANTS SIZE!!!!!!!!! Kilts don't fit like pants. They should be loose everywhere except at the top straps or waistband and at the Fell or tapered area in back from the butt to waist. Everywhere else the kilt should be allowed to hang loose and vertically.
Pants, and especially jeans are actually sized up to two or three sizes too small. This is called 'vanity sizing'. It is rampant in the world of fashion. Don't believe me? ask a woman.

3 Decide how you wish to wear your kilt before deciding what kilt you want to buy. If you wish to wear your kilt at low rise, (waistband over your hipbones, like jeans) then please don't ask a Traditional Kiltmaker to make your kilt. It is a disfavor to the kiltmaker to wear their kilts in a manner they are not designed to be worn.
If you want to wear your kilt at mid or low rise look for a kilt designed to be worn there.

4 The tip about measuring your hips while standing with your belly against a wall is a good one. If you are a 'gentleman of substance' you must allow room in the hips for the aprons to hang from your belly so measure that way.
And if you are one of these men Please, please try wearing a kilt in the traditional manner with the top straps or waistband at your natural waist. The effect is very slimming. And it's far less constricting.

5 The higher you wear your kilt the less 'slope'. The lower you wear your kilt, the more 'slope'. put on a pair of trousers and turn sideways to a mirror. See that the front is lower than the back? That's slope. Now think of a bath towel hanging vertically from the same place. To keep the hem horizontal to the floor there will HAVE to be slope built into your kilt.

6 The higher you wear your kilt, the tighter it is worn, and will feel. The lower you wear your kilt the more 'ease' must be allowed for. A Traditional Style Kilt is strapped on. It should feel kinda like a kidney belt. A kilt worn lower needs more room because the hip bones don't give so you need some room to breath.

That's enough ranting for one morning. I'll shut up now and go back to my sewing machine.

[Riverkilt]

Jeez folks,

I have a 46" waist and 44" hips. Never thought about what magic my kiltmakers do - but they do it.

Like Barb says...follow the measuring instructions, or better yet - get measured first hand by the kiltmaker. Its part of their craft.

Not sure if its something to do with how the kilt is made for my weird shape, but with my hand sewn traditionals, dress model FK, and USA Kilts semi-traditionals I've quit wearing a belt. Much more comfy.

Ron

[Jerry]

When I was ready to purchase my "Tank" last year. I decided to make a "Pilgrimage" to the mountains of North Carolina and meet Matt in person at the Tartans Museum in Franklin, so that I would be sure the measurements were done correctly. Matt got them perfect, and even with my "middle aged spread", it is the best fitting kilt I own.

A Springtime weekend in the beautiful North Carolina mountains around $600

A beautiful Macneill tank in the ancient colors, another $600 or so

Meeting Matt and getting my measurements done properly, Priceless

[freddie]

Jeez folks,


Not sure if its something to do with how the kilt is made for my weird shape, but with my hand sewn traditionals, dress model FK, and USA Kilts semi-traditionals I've quit wearing a belt. Much more comfy.

Ron

My waist fluctuates between 45inches and 48inches depending on the time of day and whether I've just eaten or not. My hips however are 46 inches. All the kiltmakers I've dealt with say that the measurement for the hips has to be a loose one (so it's comfortable when we sit down) so I always go for 49inches around the seat and 46inches at the waist and this works fine for me. When I wear troosers I have to wear braces (suspenders) otherwise they just fall around my knees, however, when I wear my kilts higher on my waist they sit there (over my belly) and stay there, no need for a belt or suspenders !
The problem I have is with the sporran belt, because I don't have hips to sling it around. I either loop them over the kilt buckles or wear a sporran sling.

[freddie]

[QUOTE=The Wizard of BC;339042]From a kiltmakers viewpoint here are some random thoughts.

1 The only case I can think of where your hips will be smaller than your waist is if you can back up to a wall and the first thing that touches is your waist. If your butt touches first your hips WILL be the larger measurement.
Remember how a kilt is supposed to fit. The aprons in the front are supposed to drape straight down in front. No puckers, no bulges. The tapering is all in the back. So if when you back up to a wall and your butt touches first your kiltmaker must taper up to the waist.

Sorry to disagree with you but when I back up to a wall the first thing that hits the wall is my backside. However after a really good meal my stomach can be as much as 51 inches round, while my hips stay at their normal 46 inches !