Fat people and kilts

[m47hew]

Hi all
I guess this question has been asked before but after a short perusal i couldn't find it.
I have a (not too considerable!!) gut. If I wear my kilt next to my skin i don't seem to have a problem but if i tuck a shirt in I have a devil of a job to keep the damn thing in place especially if we are at a ceilidh or need to Dad Dance!!
Two things then:
1. How do I keep my kilt in it's designated place?
2. Where can a buy a kilt that fits my (lower) waist??

[Rob, ClanMacMillan, NM]

For Gentlemen of Substance, a very viable option is bracers/suspenders. I've done this both with and without a waistcoat/vest and/or jacket. No negative comments ever and quite a few wistful "wish I'd thought of that" .

Rob.

[Father Bill]

For Gentlemen of Substance, a very viable option is bracers/suspenders. I've done this both with and without a waistcoat/vest and/or jacket. No negative comments ever and quite a few wistful "wish I'd thought of that" .

Rob.

If you get the kind that button on and sew the buttons inside right through the cloth!!they will work well, won't distort the tartan, and will be inoffensive.

[Terry Searl]

If you get the kind that button on and sew the buttons inside right through the cloth!!they will work well, won't distort the tartan, and will be inoffensive.

When I had Steve Ashton build my kilt he assured me it would stay in place and I wouldn't need suspenders I replied that I'm sure he was right but I ALWAYS wear suspenders and feel awkward when not... so he sewed on the buttons I requested. I requested buttons because I felt the clamp type suspender anchors might damage the kilt material over time.
I have tried to wear my kilt at home without the suspenders and as I thought I am very uncomfortable and seem to be always tugging the kilt up. I always have a belt on as well when wearing my kilt because I prefer sporran hangers rather than a sporran belt or chain......I then found the weight of the sporran pulled the top of the outer apron below the top of the inner apron, so I had my wife sew a 6 inch band of velcro between the two aprons to keep their top edges aligned. Recently I found suspenders that clip on to the belt and now after all my altering I am very happy AND comfortable wearing the kilt at the position on my body where it is most comfortable and designed to be worn and in my opinion looks best ...... at mid rise

[Doc Canary]

There are braces that are kind of like reverse sock garders. I have a friend who use sets then and swears by them.

[BjornBsrkr]

I too have a substantial mid-section (6', 300 lbs) and swear by Perry suspenders when I am wearing pants for those really dirty jobs. They slide onto your belt with soft plastic clips, so there is no damage to the belt or pants. The suspenders coupled with a good quality, stiff belt (I really like double layer bridle leather) keeps everything in place.

When wearing a kilt, both utility and traditional, I have not found the need to include suspenders or even snug down the belt. The trick is to have the upper kilt belt (or waist band on the utilities) at or above the horizon line of the bulge. For me, this is just above my navel. The only way the kilt is heading south is to somehow stretch. Attempting to wear my utilities on my hips would likely prove to be a bit embarrassing!

Bjorn

[m47hew]

There are braces that are kind of like reverse sock garders. I have a friend who use sets then and swears by them.

How do these work? I'm OK with braces (suspenders) under a jacket but less so over a t-shirt.
(by the way, suspenders (or sussies) are something totally different in UK!!)

[m47hew]

Braces seem to be the popular choice, thanks guys, However, although fine for formal use i'm not too keen on wearing them for casual days, or in the garden.

[Benning Boy]

Due to health problems I've fattened up more than I'd like. If I buckle a kilt up to fit comfortably, and then suck in my gut I can get the kilt to slide down. If I do a little hula with my hips it will fall of. I wear a belt over mine all the time. It keeps the kilt up. The thought of wearing suspenders with a kilt, wearing them where they are on display just flat out disgusts me. At fabric stores you can buy some of that sticky stuff that is sometimes sewn into the waste band of trouser or skirts. It is mostly to keep the shirt or blouse tucked in, but it does provide friction that work both ways. I'm thinking of trying that in the waste band of a kilt and see how well it keeps things up.

[lschwartz]

Sewing a strip of rubber around the inside of the top edge of the kilt may add the resistance/friction against your clothing that you get when wearing it against your skin.