Buying First Kilt, Help Me Decide!

**Jerry** · 14th February 08, 05:21 AM

First of all, welcome to Xmarks. And, secondly, not everyone has a "butt". My hip measurements are almost the same as my kilt waist. Of course I have a bit of a middleaged spread, aka beer gut. I have two suggestions. First, Steve of Freedom kilts has a great video on measuring for your kilt posted as a sticky in the Freedom Kilt section of this forum, and last, call Rocky and discuss the measurements with him.

**RockyR** · 14th February 08, 06:39 AM

Hey Cat,

Good to see you found XMARKS!

YES, some people (myself inluded) only have a 3" difference. Heck... some guys have a Waist measurement that's BIGGER than hip measurement. If you've got an average to "flat butt", then don't worry about it... 3" difference is fine.

Also, I was GOING to say check with Riverkilt, but he beat me to the post! He's the best one to help you decide. Although, you're the one wearing it, not him or not anyone else... YOU have to be happy with your decision.

One thing I WILL say (and this isn't a dig at Jerry, just a friendly request)... as much as I love Steve from FK, ONLY use his measuring instructions for HIS kilts. Every kiltmaker makes kilts their own way and you should ALWAYS use the measurement instructions of the place you're going to be getting your kilt.

If a kilt I made didn't fit (and I rechecked it and see that the measurements made were the measurements provided) and I was told that the customer used someone else's measuring instructions, they'd be 100% responsible for the adjustments. Steve put a LOT of time into making that video b/c he makes his kilts much differently than most companies... that's not a BAD thing as they end up fitting VERY nicely (I own 2). I also took a lot of time writing out the measuring instructions so that they were easy to follow... bottom line: If you order from USAK, use USAK Measuring Instructions. If you order from FK, use FK instructions. If you order from Kilt Store, use KS instructions... etc.

Glad to see you finally start posting Cat. Welcome to XMARKS!

**WhoDeySchenk** · 14th February 08, 07:12 AM

Welcome to xmarks...you'll love the semi-trad. I've got one in Buchanan, and and American Heritage on order ( can't wait, hurry up Rocky

) As for measurements, everyone is built different. Fat gut, no butt. Big butt, no gut....etc. Just trust the measuring tape.

Steve

**Riverkilt** · 14th February 08, 09:39 AM

Cat,

The ONLY solution is to travel to Rocky's place and let him or Kelly measure you. Same with any other kiltmaker. Like Rocky says, each is different.

But that ain't always possible for most of us so we're doomed to ordering on line. This board is full of horror stories on measurements....and by the way I also have a beer gut so my butt is only 2" larger than my massive gut.

What I have found is all we can do is do our very best to follow the instructions of the kiltmaker you're ordering from. When you get your first kilt from a kiltmaker it'll either be perfectly sized for you, or a bit off...hopefully on the larger side so you can still wear it.

Once you have that first kilt as a "test" size you can adjust to what you want from that "base" kilt. And you will be buying more kilts.

In addition to quality, one of the reasons I've pretty much stuck with Freedom Kilts, USA Kilts and Kathy's Kilts is that each kiltmaker now knows my size.

And, don't freak out if the first kilt is a bit off...if you're like many of us you'll probably 'grow' into it after a while.

And, I think most kiltmakers ask us to get someone else to do the measuring for us. Self measuring is pretty much a guarantee of getting the numbers wrong.

And, while you're waiting for your kilt, you can medicate the jones by shopping for accessories....

Ron

**canawler** · 14th February 08, 10:19 AM

Originally Posted by Cat

Just out of curiosity, does anyone else have pics of themselves in a Grey Granite Semi-Traditional (or even a Casual?) USAK has a picture on their website of one person wearing a Casual in that color, but I'd like to see some other views of it.

You want pictures. Noooo problem.
Actually the picture on the website was probably me.

This kilt is a casual model and I love wearing it in the summer, but I have since bought a Stillwater heavyweight and discovered that I really like the more traditional cut and fit. Any future USA Kilt purchases will definitely be the semi-traditional model.

This tartan seems to be hard to photograph well. It appears very blue-ish in almost all my pics but it's not at all. Oh well...

The first two are probably the most accurate for color

**northernsky** · 14th February 08, 10:56 AM

>>Do smaller guys tend to be flatter in the "buttockal area"<<

Reminds me of a story my Dad liked to tell. He lived in Texas for quite a few years and when he went to get a pair of pants (trousers) made the tailor asked him if was Canadian. My dad was surprised and said "yes, how do you know?" The tailor replied that he suffered from that Canadian disease 'noassatall'.

**Moosedog** · 14th February 08, 10:59 AM

Welcome to Xmarks!

One note about measuring: if your stomach is prominent at all, be sure that when you measure your hips you measure as if the kilt will fall perfectly vertically from the front of your belly downwards--one way to do this is to hold a thin piece of cardboard at your belly so it hangs down vertically, and include this in the measurment. otherwise you could end up with a kilt that is too tight across the hips...and when in doubt, consult Rocky!

Moosedog

**Bugbear** · 14th February 08, 11:36 AM

Hi, my name is Ted... and I have no buttockal...

I've really stopped posting advice because I don't know what I'm talking about. However, I am a small guy too. My measurements are thirty-six, and I have a thirty-seven bum. If I put on a pair of pants, they slide right off unless I buy them too tight at the waist or make them that way with a belt. Kilts seem to fit my bum better than pants, and I only have off-the-shelf SWKs and BKs right now.

That being said, ask Rocky. Also, I plan on getting a Gray Granite semi trad at some point in the future, but will also try to squeeze out enough for a casual too for gardening and pottery work... I hope...

I want to also add that I hope you get something that you will be completely happy with and that meets your wants and needs.

**Phil** · 14th February 08, 11:59 AM

from Scotland. You won't get any better advice than from here.

**Gauranga** · 14th February 08, 12:11 PM

First, let me say that Rocky's kilts are THE BEST you'll find anywhere. I recently bought a casual kilt in Cameron and it is amazing. However, If I had to do over, I would have bought the semi-traditional kilt. Not that there is anything wrong with the casual, like I said, it is an amazing product, at the time it was all I could afford. I think what I'm looking for now is a kilt that can fill the gap of a "kilt for all occasions". I don't feel that casuals are all that appropriate for formal events. They kick butt at the highland games though! One day I'll buy a 5 yard or a premier. I'll have all my bases covered then.

Hey Rocky, Tomorrow I'm taking my brother to your shop to get measured for his first kilt (hopefully). He's planning on buying a casual in Cameron. We'll see you then!