Kilt Alteration

**Barb T** · 4th March 08, 11:23 AM

One of our band members lost a lot of weight, and I moved the apron edge buckles and the underapron strap a full 6". Yes, the apron was disproportionately large, and the center back was no longer in the center of the back, but, you know what? No one noticed.

So, I guess my advice is, if you've lost weight, just move the buckles, even if it's quite a lot. The hard truth is that most people who lose a lot of weight gain at least some of it back (and the person mentioned above did, in fact, gain back several inches).

If you've bought an expensive kilt that's just too big, and you're going to care a lot how it looks and you're going to wear it a lot, have it taken in. This is not a trivial job and is likely to cost $100-150 if it's done by a person who knows what they're doing. And, if someone tells you they can do it for $40 or $50, they probably don't know what they're getting into.

If it's an inexpensive kilt, just move the buckles.

If you have any more details to give us, we could give you advice that's better tailored to your situation!!

Barb

**Nighthawk** · 4th March 08, 12:12 PM

so then what about making one bigger? I want one of those SWK Irish Saffron shadow tartan kilts, but they haven't had my size in months. They have a 50, and I'm a 52. Is that also just a simple matter of moving the buckles a couple inches?

**Barb T** · 4th March 08, 01:30 PM

Is that also just a simple matter of moving the buckles a couple inches?

No, actually, it doesn't work well for making a kilt bigger. If you move the buckles to make a kilt bigger, you can't move them much before the underapron starts to show, which makes it really obvious that the kilt is too small. If you move the buckles to make it smaller, the only indication is the lack of symmetry across the back of the pleats.

**Nighthawk** · 4th March 08, 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by Barb T.

No, actually, it doesn't work well for making a kilt bigger. If you move the buckles to make a kilt bigger, you can't move them much before the underapron starts to show, which makes it really obvious that the kilt is too small. If you move the buckles to make it smaller, the only indication is the lack of symmetry across the back of the pleats.

Ach!! Crrraaappp! Oh well. I guess I just to wait and hope. Thanks!

Or I could my butt in the gym and loose a few more inches...

**emolas** · 5th March 08, 12:47 AM

Originally Posted by Nighthawk

so then what about making one bigger? I want one of those SWK Irish Saffron shadow tartan kilts, but they haven't had my size in months. They have a 50, and I'm a 52. Is that also just a simple matter of moving the buckles a couple inches?

Do you have a SWK and you are using that as a basis for your measurement? If not, I would be willing to bet that the 50 would fit you. I measured myself and ordered a 48 but it was too large and I ended up taking it in 2". The next one I was going to get a 46 but I inadvertently ordered a 44 and it fit quite nicely on the second hole.

**Nighthawk** · 6th March 08, 02:04 PM

Originally Posted by emolas

Do you have a SWK and you are using that as a basis for your measurement? If not, I would be willing to bet that the 50 would fit you. I measured myself and ordered a 48 but it was too large and I ended up taking it in 2". The next one I was going to get a 46 but I inadvertently ordered a 44 and it fit quite nicely on the second hole.

I actually have 3 SWK's. The 52's fit me perfectly.