waist versus hips question

**cloves** · 2nd March 07, 05:29 PM

I was wondering.....
For most people, their waist size is typically smaller than their hips. However, if you carry any amount of weight around your middle....can your waist size be bigger than your hips?
I guess it sorta depends on where you plan on wearing your kilt right? I've seen some guys with bigger bellies that fit into tiny pants because they have the waistband under their stomach. Do you do that with a kilt or since it's high waisted wear it up over your girth?

**ccga3359** · 2nd March 07, 05:33 PM

Good question I am currently measuring myself up for my CCK and get 35.5 at my navel and 36" at my hips (at mid butt). I was hoping Pete would have to do more tapering for the challenge and personal ego boost. I normally wear a 32" waist in jeans.

**Fearnest** · 2nd March 07, 05:40 PM

It depends on how you choose to wear it. "Traditional" wear says the kilt goes over your gut, but there are those who prefer to wear the waistband lower.

UK even offers variations of "beer gut cut" depending on how great the case of Dunlap's disease - to allow the kilt to ride under the gut.

**cacunn** · 2nd March 07, 06:16 PM

I asked a similar questions a few weeks ago. The thread is at.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=24339

Remember when measuring that the front apron will be hanging straight down from the navel area. If when you measure your rump the tape measure is behind the navel you need to adjust for this difference. My thought and the actual kilt makers will probably have a better method, is to face a wall, walk into the wall (very slowly) stop when you just touch. Now when you measure your rump does the front of the tape touch the wall? If not you will have to add some extra inches to get the hang, and taper right. How much I don't have enough experience to say.

**ccga3359** · 2nd March 07, 06:26 PM

Originally Posted by cacunn

I asked a similar questions a few weeks ago. The thread is at.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=24339

Remember when measuring that the front apron will be hanging straight down from the navel area. If when you measure your rump the tape measure is behind the navel you need to adjust for this difference. My thought and the actual kilt makers will probably have a better method, is to face a wall, walk into the wall (very slowly) stop when you just touch. Now when you measure your rump does the front of the tape touch the wall? If not you will have to add some extra inches to get the hang, and taper right. How much I don't have enough experience to say.

This makes sense! I glad I read this thread. Thanks cloves, cacunn. That could have been tragic.

**Barb T** · 3rd March 07, 06:34 AM

Two things:

A trad kilt is never made with smaller hips than waist. If the hips are actually smaller than the waist, the kilt is made as a cylinder using the _waist_ measurement.

A kiltmaker who is making at trad kilt for someone assumes that the kilt will be worn at the waist (actually waist plus a 2" rise above). A trad kilt is not cut lower in the front to accommodate a belly, so the kilt can't be worn properly and won't hang properly if it slopes from higher in the back to underneath the belly in the front. That's why trad kilts worn that way look odd (they typically are all rumpled up under the belly or sag in the front and are hiked up in the back).

And one last thing. If you are measuring to have a trad kilt made, don't do any "adjusting" of the measurements. Measure exactly as your kiltmaker asks you to!

Cheers,

B

**Erisianmonkey** · 3rd March 07, 07:09 AM

Originally Posted by cloves

I was wondering.....
For most people, their waist size is typically smaller than their hips. However, if you carry any amount of weight around your middle....can your waist size be bigger than your hips?
I guess it sorta depends on where you plan on wearing your kilt right? I've seen some guys with bigger bellies that fit into tiny pants because they have the waistband under their stomach. Do you do that with a kilt or since it's high waisted wear it up over your girth?

I really don't think so. I'm about the size of a small car, and my hip measurement is still bigger than my waist measurement. Only by about 4", but still. And anybody who gets to my size has no business wearing anything up under the belly. It just looks wrong. (This from someone who despises the "fashion police!")

**cwr89** · 3rd March 07, 08:58 AM

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** · 3rd March 07, 10:53 AM

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** · 3rd March 07, 11:35 AM

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