Levis are for Liars and Proper Kilt Measurements.

**Dreadbelly** · 2nd September 04, 03:30 PM

Not sure how to start this one.

I finally secured a measuring tape. I wanted to make sure that I took proper measurements so that my kilt would fit right when I order it.

Now, mind you, I wear a size 38 or so. In Levis. All my boxer shorts are for size 36 to 38. Large. All of my pants have been size 36 to 38. Or there abouts, depending on cut. No two pairs of pants, even identical ones, fit the same. So I am thinking that I would be able to save a bit of money by not having to pay for any fat taxes or having to buy a larger kilt.

Boy was I wrong!

There is nothing around my waist that is remotely close to 38 inches. I measured one inch below my belly button and it was 50 inches right on the nose. I measured my hips and it was 46 inches. Placing the measuring tape right where my trousers would usually hang, I measured good 48 inches. Bloody hell! While I might be considered barrel chested, I am not really all that fat... Or so I thought. I am having second thoughts. Crikey. My wife thought it was funny. So I made her take the waist measurement from her pants tag and then measure her self with the measuring tape. She shut up and stopped giggling. We spent most of the morning stunned, confused, and feeling lied to and cheated by the Gosh Darned Trouser Tyrants.

Has anybody else noticed this? Trying to measure your kilt from your pant size is a bad idea. A really bad idea.

Are the clothing companies that crooked?

Has anybody else been completely floored by measuring themselves and finding out what they really are?

**Graham** · 2nd September 04, 03:38 PM

Get real! how can you trust a company that makes trousers?!!

**VetStudent** · 2nd September 04, 03:46 PM

I have the EXACT same problem. I think over the past few years jean makers have been very "generous" with thier sizing. Maybe it's just ment to make the buyer feel better about themselves?

I just recently got my first kilt from amerikilt. I wear a 36 jean, but i figured i would play it safe and went for a 38. I was heartbroken when my kilt came in! all this time waiting for my kilt, and i couldn't even wear it! Luckily I have been dieting and running lately, so it didn't tkae very long to get into it, but is still is a little tight.

But the bright side is there's nothing quite like a tight kilt for a diet motivator

**Colin** · 2nd September 04, 03:47 PM

I've noticed this evertime I have measured for a kilt. There must be standard pant measurement system that fits from x-z in sizes, rather than straight measurements. Funny when it happens thought, huh?

**Blu (Ontario)** · 2nd September 04, 04:02 PM

Originally Posted by DrDouglass

... Are the clothing companies that crooked?...

Not crooked... just a bit dishonest. I first found out about this several yeras ago when I bought my first kilt. There must be some psychology behind it. Perhaps a bit of flattery? There are also differences between U.S. and U.K. sizes so be careful with purchases there as well.

**zeytoun** · 2nd September 04, 04:05 PM

As america gets fatter, companies selling pants are slowly increasing the girth of each "size". More formal wear seems to stay consistant though. I've gotten pretty tubby, and I knew what my real waist is (from being fitted for tuxes, etc.), so ordering a kilt with a 41" waist didn't surprise me, even though I was wearing "size 36" jeann.

**Canuck** · 2nd September 04, 04:24 PM

I recently sold a kilt to a biker (Harly guy as in typical harley guy) I'm a biker as well but different class. Anyway he tells me he's a 36 inch waist from his levis. I didn't have one that size, and he was bigger around the middle than me and I wear a 38. I measured him and he was a 42...the fireworks wasn't too kindly. I showed him my measurement which is 39 and let him try one of my kilts...couldn't get it around him... convinced him on a 42" measurement built the kilt, fits him to the tee.
I require a few emails from the customer before I build a kilt for them I only want to build a kilt once. I ask for the pant size as well to see if the measurement they give me is close to what their kilt measurement is.. So I appeal to you. Please take the time to get the proper measurements so we can make you look fabulous in one of the kilts we make for you. You'll be glad that you did. And so will the folks that see you in the kilt.
Cheers
Robert

**Jimmy Carbomb** · 2nd September 04, 05:48 PM

Right on Robert. Been there... done that!

I always had customers (that were buying the casuals) place a measuring tape through their belt loops in a pair of regular pants. It gave me a better idea of the actual size... gave me a little room to work with... and made them feel better when the size was WAY bigger than they thought. I was able to explain it as being the "extra fabric" from the pants.

Worked like a charm every time!

**Vince** · 2nd September 04, 10:20 PM

When I used to work in the dive industry, I noticed that over the years that the label sizing was slowly moving downward for the same size wetsuit. This seemed especially true for ladies' suits.

**zeytoun** · 2nd September 04, 11:42 PM

My grandpa used to tell me about the shoe business he and his father ran. This was in the 1930's to 50's, and the women that came in would demand shoes that were too small, just because of the number. They would come up with new codes for the sizes every week, and every week the women would crack the codes and start asking for shoes that were too small.