I've had my 'tank' for about 15 months now. I'm not a daily kilt-wearer, and I have other kilts that I wear for hiking and such. So my tank only gets worn for certain occasions such as Highland Games, weddings, festivals, etc. If I had to guess, I'd say I wear it perhaps once or twice a month at best. Aside from putting it on to model a new doo-dad that goes with it, I've probably worn it 'out and about' perhaps two dozen times.

What I've noticed over time is that it fits me differently now than it did when new. When I first got it, I had to put the buckles on the 2nd hole from the ends of the straps. Now I have them all the way at the tightest holes. And I feel like I need my kilt belt tightly strapped on in order to keep my kilt where it belongs.

Yes, I have lost a little weight during that time. So it's not surprising that I've had to take up the settings a bit. But it seems the change in my kilt fit is disproportionate to the change in my trouser fit. Where my trouser size has changed by perhaps an inch, my kilt size seems to have shrunk by 2 inches or more.

So I'm wondering if there's more at work than simple body-shape changes. It would make sense that, over time, the fabric would stretch and conform to my body shape, requiring adjustments as it wears itself in to my hips/waist. Even with multiple layers of overlapping wool, stitched together with a stabilizer and such, fabric is still fabric. When subjected to tension, moisture, and heat (i.e. wearing it), the fibers will relax and the weave will stretch to my shape, and thus require readjustment. Especially over the course of a year or more of wearing. Even the leather straps could have stretched a little.

Has anyone else experienced an unexplainable or disproportionate change in the way their kilt fits over time? Is there a "break-in" period where the kilt tends to conform itself to the person's body shape? Or is it all in my imagination, and I really have lost that much circumference around my waist but not in my hips (where I wear my trousers)?

More importantly, if there does tend to be a period where the kilt conforms itself to its owner, should people make an allowance for this when they order? In other words, assuming they plan to stay the same weight/size, should they order a kilt just a tad on the snug side so that after it stretches in, it will fit perfectly?

(Note: I am well aware that I can have the straps/buckles moved to accommodate. I'm not asking for advice on how to make my kilt fit better. The purpose of this thread is more of an academic question on the stretch/flex properties of kilts over time.)