Large waist measurement

[Steve Ashton]

If you look in a mirror sideways I think you will find that your butt sticks out a bit further than the small of your back.
And as the front apron should always fall straight down from the belly - This means that your hip circumference will ALWAYS be larger than the waist circumference.

And splits are seldom 50/50. At the waist the front apron will almost always be larger than the rear pleated area. This allows the aprons to curl slightly round the sides.

I found it helpful to imagine the side seam of trousers. The apron edges should fall vertically at about where the side seam would be.

So on larger guys I measure the front waist backwards to the side seam - The back waist forward to the side seam.
I never did like the rolled up towel method. I had guys step forward until the belly touches a wall. From there, simulating the roundness of the belly, rearward to the side seam, and very loosely around the butt or hips forward to the side seam.

It is far better to have more room in the hips, than too little. So be generous with the hip measurements. Give yourself 2-3 inches extra.

Oh, and by-the-way - The largest kilt I ever made had a waist of 84 inches and it looked and swished great.