Finding Sizes?

[Southern Breeze]

I've got a two-part questionfor all the kilt experts out there- how do you:
Aetermine the size of a traditional kilt when there is not a size anywhere
you can find.
B:Know what type it is-4 yard, 6 yard etc.
This is probly one of those simple things that is a source of puzzlement to us new guys and amusing to the experts.The only dumb questions are the ones you don't ask,that what I tell the guys on my workcrews. Any tips,pointers referances will be appreciated.

Sorry about all the typos.I had an encounter today at lunch and it still distracts me.

[Hamish]

I've got a two-part questionfor all the kilt experts out there- how do you:
Aetermine the size of a traditional kilt when there is not a size anywhere
you can find.

Traditional kilts do not come in predetermined sizes, SB. The whole point of a traditional kilt, or one of them at least(!), is that it is tailored to your own personal measurements - to fit you. They are not sold off the rack (and if they are, they are probably not worth even thinking about).

B:Know what type it is-4 yard, 6 yard etc.
This is probly one of those simple things that is a source of puzzlement to us new guys and amusing to the experts.The only dumb questions are the ones you don't ask,that what I tell the guys on my workcrews. Any tips,pointers referances will be appreciated.

4 yard, 6 yard, 8 yard: these are indications of the approximate length of fabric that is used in the construction of your kilt. Much depends upon the size of the 'sett', or pattern, of the tartan since this has to be replicated across the pleats, and also on your own measurements. The greater the yardage, the better the swing of the pleats - one of the great features of the traditional kilt.

A true traditional is generally considered as being an 8 yarder. 4 and 6 yarders are likely to be casual, leisure or hiking kilts - as excellent as they are, once you have worn an 8 yarder you will definitely appreciate the difference, believe me!

I have only scratched the surface with this response, but hopefully it will provide the answers you need.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I'm assuming that you are talking about what to do if you have a traditional kilt in your possession, with no size label, and you want to determine size (say for listing for sale, etc.) It's real easy to tell if it fits you or not -- just put it on! :-) But assuming it does not fit, here's how you can determine the size.

Lay the kilt out on your bed or somewhere flat. Open it up completely. Because of the taper in the hips, the aprons will more than likely angle up a but from the back portion when you do this. Take a cloth tape and measure from the first hole in the leather strap at the waist straight across the inside of the outer apron. When the apron meets the back of the kilt and the angle changes, turn your tape to adjust (you want to keep it the same distance from the top of the kilt, which is probably about 2" down) and continue to measure until you come to the hole where the strap would pass through to buckle. This measurement will give you the waist size.

Length is easy enough to measure -- just measure the kilt from top to bottom!

Most people are not too concerned about hip measure when they are buying a second hand kilt, but if you wanted to measure that, use the same method as for the waist measurement, only do it about 1/3 the way down the kilt (or where the lower strap is on the outer apron, assuming the kilt has one).

And, of course, the easiest way to determine how many yards are in the kilt is just to measure them out. It's easiest to use a little math. Just measure the size of the sett repeat, count out how many full repeats are in the kilt, then multiply (this is really easy if the kilt is pleated to stripe).

You probably are not going to get an exact yardage number. Most "8 yard kilst" might have something like 7 yards, 28", or something close. Just round off.

Aye,
Matt

[Southern Breeze]

Thanks Matt and Hamish for the replys.You gave me the info I needed. Are there any good referances online? I'm familier with Matts website,any others out there?