Traditional Kilt Measurment Needed Chareleston, SC

[thehighlands4me]

Buying first kilt, have watched and read about everything I can find on line, still have my concerns. I'm a Man of Substance, want to get this right, tailors and seamstress' locally have repaired, adjusted, patched, etc. but none has done an actual kilt measurement. Anyone know of an experienced person in Charleston SC for kilt measurement? Any help appreciated. Thanks

[jhockin]

Perhaps you could check with Matt Newsome at:
http://www.newhousehighland.com/contact.html
Or take a wee drive and get him to measure you?

[Pleater]

If you are having a kilt made then you need to take the measurements as the maker requires and requests - hopefully they are clearly described on the order form.

I make my own, so don't have the problem, but having seen others agonising over just how and where to measure I have picked up the advice given by those who have bought kilts.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[The Wizard of BC]

"If you are having a kilt made then you need to take the measurements as the maker requires and requests"

This is the best piece of advice you can ever get.
There is not one standard way to take measurements. Each kiltmaker may describe a slightly different way to take measurements.
I can assure you that each kiltmaker is used using the measurements using their system.

For example I ask my customers who are ordering a traditional kilt to be worn at traditional rise to feel right under their ribs at the side. Some ask for a measurement taken at about the naval or even just above the hips. That is three totally different ways to measure for the waist circumference.

Please pay close attention to how the person who will actually make your kilt describes how to measure.

Never send the measurements from one kiltmaker to a different kiltmaker.

[Spartan Tartan]

I do not know of any kiltmaker in Charleston. Your best bet is to choose a kiltmaker (personally, I'd choose one from this forum) and then work with them to get your measurements. Then, like everyone, sit back and let the Jones kick in while you anxiously await the arrival of your new kilt.

[MacLowlife]

Greetings from just up the road.

My first advice is to see how many kilts you can actually touch before spending any money. If you can do so without being creepy, can you contact someone in Charleston ( there is a St Andrew's Society as well as a Scottish Society there) who is about your size, maybe even ask to try on their kilt? If you can't do that, I recommend that you study a series of photographs that will give you a good idea of where on your girth you will wear your kilt, get someone to measure you there, and order a cheap kilt on eBay. If you can't spend $50 for the learning experience, you are going to have a hard time spending the price of a higher quality kilt. Most cheap kilts are sized only by "waist" size, with no concern about length to the hem. Depending on a number of factors, you may not be troubled by that "standardization".

The Charleston Scottish Games are coming up in about 6 weeks. You may find a vendor there who can help you.

I don't wish to contradict any of the advice above, but I just want to make sure you understand two things:
1) While circumference is circumference, kilts do not fit like trousers, even if worn at the same place
2)Regardless of how your kiltmaker tells you to measure, or how you are fitted, if you don't wear the kilt the way it was designed to be worn, it is not going to fit right.

I could be wrong, but it seems to me that the worst offenders in the "wearing your kilt too low" crowd are skinny guys. However, if you are one of the many who manage your gut by wearing your trousers under it, you run the same risk as those folks.

Good Luck

[Barb T]

Repeating the best advice - use the instructions provided by YOUR kiltmaker.