D. L-N. M

In the PM I sent you I asked you to go to my website and measure using my system.
I'm sorry and humbly apoligise if that came across as an advertisment. That was not my intent.

I needed us to be talking the same language with your measurments. You seem to have done all your measurments correctly. (Rocky and I use almost the same wording on our sites.)

At 5'5" and 48x48x21 you problem is caused by what is called "ease". All garments have some 'ease' it is the extra room built in to allow you to move.

In your case a kilt maker will also need to know the 'drop' not just in one spot but also in the front and rear. As Rocky posted, in most kilts made for 'men of substance' there is a built-in 'angle' to the waistband. Shorter in the front and longer in the rear. This is to allow the bottom hem to hang straight while standing and not ride up in back or bunch in the front.

I asked a former customer whose measurments are similar to yours to bring in his Freedom Kilt and stoop and bend for me so I could look at it. His kilt which is 1 1/2" higher in the back than in the front doesn't seem to do what you describe.

I think in the case of your next kilt you need to have a long talk with your kiltmaker before you order. Explain your problem and let them work with you. A couple of photos might help.

By just sending in a set of measurments you are essentially ordering 'off the rack'. I know that most kiltmakers here and espically Rocky, Bear, and Jeff, care deeply how their kilts look on their customers and will work with you to solve this problem.