Kilt Height

[HarveyH]

You ask if there are advantages to the traditional high rise of a kilt. I believe there are because the kilt then sits on the natural waist and in the curve of the spine. This helps it stay where you want it.

I personally tend to wear a kilt with a waistcoat and prefer that to a kilt belt - so the high rise also ensures that the whole look works. But that is my style and preference.

Howie at 21st Century kilts has, in particular, made the modern trouser waist kilt a fashionable alternative. It can look really good, but not for me.

You also ask about buckles and straps. The origin appears to be when kilts, particularly military kilts were worn much higher than even a traditional kilt is now. The third buckle was then essentially at what would now be waist height and kept the kilt closed. The third buckle now does not serve that function and is essentially a decorative addition. Many people like them but not essential. I only have two buckles on all my kilts. Again down to personal preference.

As for the waist measurements, you will find a number of threads on here where the question of how to find the true waist is discussed. But it really is a discussion to have with your kilt maker. As a general rule the true waist is slightly larger than the normal trouser waist, but that is simply to do with where the measurements are taken and may not actually be the measurement of the kilt. Every kilt maker seems to have a slightly different way of doing these measurements - so I think it's more of an art than science.