One half-inch

[Cameron of Texas]

Well fellas, yesterday I took delivery of my first kilt.

Tartan from Lochcarron, kilt assembled in Edinburgh to my specific measurements. The kilt has met my every expectation and seems more substantial than what is deemed by the maker as a 'casual kilt'. I love the hues of the tartan and the sett size is perfect.

My wife took my measurements and she estimated my waist (above the navel) at 38 inches. When I submitted my measurements to the maker I entered 37.5" for my waist.
When I tried my kilt on yesterday, I sinched it up to the last hole of each strap (tightest fit) and, while the garment stays on me, I can easily sweep my thumbs between my kilt and my belly. I fear that if I had submitted a 38" measurement, the kilt wouldn't stay on me.

So, I would feel a little more confident walking around in my kilt knowing that it was going to stay where I put it. Do I just get a belt and be done with it? Is there a trick to making a kilt just a touch tighter? Would it be worth finding a local tailor to make a permanent adjustment(considering I could lose more weight)?

What say you?

[Alisdair]

I dare say that if you are properly equipped with a backside, it shouldn't fall off. Hop, skip and jump around...if it falls off, you have a problem, otherwise, you're good to go.

I have another solution which involves imbibing beer at regular intervals for a couple of months...!

[Cameron of Texas]

I have another solution which involves imbibing beer at regular intervals for a couple of months...!

I like where this is going!

[Tarheel]

Alisdair has given sage advice followed by many a kilt wearer. For those of us that shrink and swell peroidicly (and do not drink anymore) I recommend dessert in moderate but continuous portions.

[The Wizard of BC]

Alternately you can consult with a kiltmaker or competent tailor.

It is far easier to make a kilt smaller than to make one larger by moving the straps and buckles.

But, and this is very important. The straps and buckles are NOT sewn to the outer Tartan fabric!
They are actually sewn to a strip of fabric inside the kilt and hidden from view by the liner you can see on the inside.

The stitching just goes through the outer Tartan to get to the strip.
This strip of fabric is called the stabilizer.

When you take the kilt to the shop explain to the tailor that the process is the remove the buckles on the right hip and the strap on the left hip.

Put the kilt on and chalk mark the strap and buckles new location.

Then stitch the one or two right buckle tabs and left strap at the new location insuring that the stitching goes fully through the outer fabric and is anchored to the hidden stabilizer strip.

Viola! you may now wear you kilt until such time that it takes for the beer or desert diet program takes effect.

[Cameron of Texas]

Steve, thank you so much for taking the time to answer. This is very valuable information

[The Wizard of BC]

If it will help to understand all of this stuff, and to give you a little insight into what is hidden under the liner of a kilt that most people don't even know is there, may I suggest you take a look at a thread begun by one of our members who got a kilt which seemed to 'give' and get larger as he would wear it.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=70205

The title of this thread is "Do kilts have a break-in period?"

I responded to his inquiry with some hints and tips to tell the condition and quality of his kilt and then he sent it to me where I took it apart for him. The photos in this thread show the inside construction details of a kilt and show how important it is for the straps and buckles to be anchored to the stabilizer.

I hope it helps.

[Liam]

Another solution (temporary) is to use suspenders.