The "waist" placement isn't the issue - - - Its the Hem placement that is important. The hem should be between the center of the knee and just at the top of the knee. (preference) Some kilts are real waist - worn above the naval. Some kilts are jeans waist and worn on the hips. Most of the formal kilts will be of the naval waist variety, and the casual kilts will tend to be of the hip variety. The male body comes in many shapes and sizes. Although I am short, my legs are real short and I am long through the torso. Therefore I wear a 24" length kilt. My cousin is a lot taller, and wears a 22.5" length kilt to achieve the same look, due to long legs and short (almost no) torso length. The kilt police don't really exist. Go for it.