After wearing pants for over half a century, my beer belly has developed completely above my pants waist line.

In order to keep it there instead of heading further down, I also wear my kilts at the pants waist. You'll probably see many posts accusing me of being a heretic after admitting this.

It alleviates your problem, but I can't say its a perfect solution.

I had a couple of kilts made in Pakistan first. I did not know to specify the waist location, but they fit great, although admittedly on the large side. All of them have to be worn in nearly the tightest strap position.

Then I splurged on a wool kilt made in America. I had a very detailed conversation when ordering it, about the fact that I wanted it fitted to my pants waist instead of the traditional location that's much higher. They agreed to do it. But I made the mistake of telling them my waist and hips were the same, but later realized I had give a hips measurement 2" larger for the Pakistani tailors.

So unfortunately, whether that's my fault or not, the American wool kilt is tight. It is not comfortable, and the straps are already in the loosest position.

The 2" difference should not matter, in my opinion. And I verified the pleats start to open at least 2 inches higher on the American kilt, so it was made differently. Yet it still feels much tighter.

The Pakistani kilts are pleated for roughly 2/3 of the total diameter, whereas the American kilt is only about 1/3 pleats, and thus 2/3 apron. I believe this is the key source of the comfort of the kilts with more pleating. I have noticed in many photos that there is so little pleating the straps are on the back of the kilt. This seems very undesirable IMHO.

That's my limited experience............hope it helps.