Hello from Albany, NY!

[Ringo]

Hi all!

I have been a fan of the kilt for years. The first time I saw Sir Sean Connery in a kilt, I knew for sure that I wanted to wear one. I have so far only worn one once, but I love the feeling of freedom, and I look forward to wearing one on more occasions.

I have ordered two kilts, the first one a gift from my godmother, is a custom ordered 8yrd wool kilt, in Ross Hunting. It should be here in time for my wedding day. I am very anxiously awaiting it. My fiancee is equally excited to see me with kilt and Prince Charlie jacket.

The second, an acrylic one in Pride of Scotland, I ordered to wear occasionally on a weekend, or to the Scottish Games, etc. This one came in extremely quick, less than a week after ordering.

I had read reviews of acrylic kilts, and I knew the general consensus was that you get what you pay for. I was impressed with the quick turn around time, and the kilt appeared to be higher quality that I expected.

However, it appeared to be a larger size than I ordered. I ordered a 46, which is what it says on the tag. However, with the straps pulled all the way tight I am still swimming in the kilt, it just drops to my knees. I really feel like I ordered the right size based on the instructions to measure at the navel. I even checked to see if somehow I lost weight since ordering, or if I somehow measured wrong... nope, I am still 46 in. My fiancee agrees that the tape measure reads 46in. I really feel like I did no wrong, but if I read the exchange policy correct I need to pay return shipping on this product, then pay shipping all over again to get a new one. Which is frustrating because I feel that I ordered correctly, and was shipping something too big.

Can someone explain what I may have done wrong [other than order a cheap kilt. I'm actually very happy with everything except the sizing]. Is there someway of measuring the kilt that would tell me if the kilt was mislabeled as a 46 instead of a larger size? I am also contemplating moving the buckles on my own, as that seems doable, and would save me the cost of shipping. Any advice on how to make sure I move them the correct distance to ensure the sizing is correct?

Last but not least:
How often do other people on here wear their kilts? I can't picture wearing the wool one often simply because I am nervous about the care. Are their any good articles about proper care? My sweet hart works in clothing retail so she already got me decent hangers for my kilts. I am curious do I need to dry clean the wool one? I don't own anything wool [not even a sweater, all my sweaters are synthetic]. I picture wearing the acrylic one at least once a month or more often. I intend to buy something else "non-wool" by the end of the year, probably either a Utilikilt, or something similar to one. I really want something with cargo pockets that I can use for hiking. Which I would likely wear most weekends.

Sorry for being so wordy. Thanks to whoever created this forum. I have already found some helpful discussions before I even registered.

--Ringo

[BLHS209]

Welcome to the "X" from across the river from you!!!

[denmcdough]

I'd try wearing the kilt 2-3 inches up from the navel. I prefer that...it's more traditional. Maybe it will help fill out the kilt to the 46. However, be aware of the knee line. Some prefer it at mid-knee while others like it just touching the knee and, still, some will wear it well above the knee. It all depends on what you like and where it fits the best. Good luck!

As for when to wear the kilt...that's you're call. At first, I'd only wear mine to special occasions, like weddings, baptisms, etc. Now, I feel comfortable wearing it anywhere. When you start getting positive comments, which will happen from the start, it gives you confidence.

[2a5t2f7]

from the Lowcountry of Charleston, SC.

[Ancienne Alliance]

Welcome from France !

It’s good to have you here.




Best,

Robert & Lady Chrystel

[Chas]

Hello Ringo,

Welcome to XMarks from the other side of the Atlantic in Norfolk, England.

It will take some time and some reading, but the answers to all your questions are here. Use the search function or just keep going back and back in the threads.

Regards

Chas

[McClef]

from South Wales UK!

Even with made to measure kilts it can happen that some miscalculation makes it end up too big (this happened to me). With an off the peg kilt it might have been wrongly labelled.

I would raise this with the supplier and arrange a return and replacement.

[Mike_Oettle]

Welcome to XMTS, Ringo, from the bottom end of Africa.
And I hope DenMcDough’s idea works – I would also wear the kilt a bit higher.
While Queen Victoria preferred that the kilt cover the knees, it actually works best when it is somewhat above the knee.
Regards,
Mike

[Ringo]

I'm starting by e-mailing the retailer.

To clarify, I am wearing it just above the navel. On their website it stated:
"To make sure you order the correct size, take your waist measurement at belly button height. The size of the kilt is the largest that the kilt will go, so in some situations, buying one size larger would be ideal since the waist is adjustable. "

When I ordered, we measured and got "45 and 1/2" so I rounded up to 46in. I ate a ton of fast food last week while on the go and acctually gained a few pounds, and when the kilt wouldn't stay up just above the navel I asked my finacee to measure and make sure I hadn't somehow lost weight [would have been a miracle on the unhealthy stuff] and I had gained roughly an inch.

I'll let you all know how the return process goes.

[McFarkus]

from Chicago