Question Re Kiltstore Kilt Sizing

[jdbenson]

I tried contacting the Kiltstore via their website, but either I'm a moron and couldn't get the email sent, or Kiltstore has ignored my emails. So, I'll ask this question here...

Kiltstore's kilt measuring instructions say, "The waist measurement for a kilt is usually 1" - 2" smaller than for trousers." Does that mean if I normally wear a size 33" I should order a kilt sized 31-32"?

[turpin]

Use a measuring tape and follow the measuring instructions on their website. DO NOT measure yourself, especially for length. Get someone to help you. DO NOT estimate. The kiltmaker will make it up according to what you send. Make sure they are accurate. And don't pull the measuring tape tight for the hip measurement. It is easier to adjust a slightly large kilt downwards than to deal with a hip size that is too tight

[fluter]

Kiltstore's kilt measuring instructions say, "The waist measurement for a kilt is usually 1" - 2" smaller than for trousers."

They almost certainly meant 1" -2" LARGER. I think the intent was to warn you that this is normal, forestalling the psychological shock of finding out
1. Your waist at the navel is bigger that your waist at the hipbones, as it is for most of us.
2. Trouser manufacturers may perhaps sometimes fib.

Does that mean if I normally wear a size 33" I should order a kilt sized 31-32"?

No, no, noOOO, no. It means that you should measure. Do everything Turpin said.

Click on the Web sites of the other XMTS kiltmakers, and read their instructions for trad kilts: they will generally say the same kind of thing.

But then have yourself measured by the instructions of who's making your kilt.

You could take a wee vacation in the mountains of North Carolina, which are just absolutely glorious in the summer, and have Matt measure you for a kilt!
Ditto for visiting USAK or some other folks around here, and be fitted by a professional for a custom tailored heirloom kilt.

[Casper]

They almost certainly meant 1" -2" LARGER.
2. Trouser manufacturers may perhaps sometimes fib.

***

I wear a pant size 34. My waist, at my navel, is 36". Around my hips, where I wear my pants, is 38" (not the 34" that my pants say it is!).

[merlintree]

My kilt arrived from the Kilt Store yesterday and it is absolutely gorgeous; just beautiful.

It seemed large when I tried it on last evening so I called the Kilt Store for wearing suggestions today.

Turns out that when I ordered the M-R casual luxury 5-yard kilt I provided the measurements specified in the 'how to measre section'. These are NOT the measurements needed for the casual kilt although I was specific about were I took the measurements.


Navel waist was 40" but should have been 36" for trouser waist. Length then would have been 2" shorter to accom. Current kilt needs to worn high and then is too large to stay up even with straps at full cinch.

Now a little research into how to make it fit.

[Andrew Breecher]

When I buy trousers I get them in 32". My kilt measurements are 33" waist, 37" hips. (23" length, if anyone wants to buy me a kilt.) If you measure yourself, make sure you kneel on the floor; then when you measure for the length, don't bend over! Use a piece of string or, if you have one, a cloth measuring tape. Measure from your belly button to just above your kneecaps. All of my kilts ride from the middle to the top of my knees; that's where I like them. Some people like the kilt a little lower, but they're just embarrassed of their knees. Ignore them. Anyway, when you measure yourself, believe the measurements. Don't expect them to be what you're used to wearing in trousers. Be honest.

Andrew.

[The Wizard of BC]

Nick(scotweb) is a member here and our official contact with the Kilt Store. You can contact him directly by sending him a private message.

The bottom line when ordering a kilt is;

Always follow the instructions given by the kiltmaker that will be making your kilt!

If your kiltmaker asks you to kneel on the floor, do it. If your kiltmaker asks for a measurement around your waist at the navel, then get a tape measure and take a measurement around your waist at the navel.

Don't use your trouser size as a guide. Don't suck in on push out. Don't use all the tricks you usually use when buying off the rack clothes.

Just give your kiltmaker the measurements they ask for. It's not hard to do.

And if you somehow measure your waist at 36" but you wear a 32" jeans SO WHAT! 32" is your jeans size, 36" is your kilt size. Just get used to it and get a kilt that fits correctly.