Waistlines

[Chris@southerncelt.com]

Yes, fashion waist is where one wears their jeans. On the hips as most folks in these kilt forums put it. I guess it's called "fashion waist" because it's where the fashion industry dictates the waistline to be.

[Jimmy Carbomb]

For the modern solid waistband... on the hips.
For the traditional pleated waistband... on the waist.

[Dakotan]

Blu, I never thought of it that way! There’s some fair back support there. I’ve got a rather nasty spinal injury (fractured and dislocated vertebrae at L-5, S-1), and used to wear a MAJOR back-brace. It rode almost exactly where the “upper section” of my new Stillwater traditional Kilt does. So THAT’S why it felt so good when I tried it on for the first time!
Well DUH! For all intents and purposes I’m wearing a lumbar brace that just happens to have a kilt attached to it! COOL!

[elijah]

I like to wear it where I used to wear my pants, at my waist. However, I don't have much problem with my traidtional 8 yarder below the ribs.

[Graham]

Hello Elijah, good to see you here, I must say i like this forum, works and looks really good.
Congrats Hank for a fine job done.

[Kiltedmusiclover]

The support for the stomach and back are great and something I miss when the kilt has to go back on the hanger.

I'm with Blu on this. When I wear my kilt for several
hours or days, the back support is noticed at once
when it is gone. It also keeps my kilt at the right hemline.

Nelson

[kiltedpride]

Although a kilt might feel better worn on the hips it won't swing right - the pleats need to be higher to sit properly.

[Planopiper]

I like wearing my kilts up above the navel, as traditional. It's also how pants used to be worn. I think it gives a better overall look. Also, it's easier to keep the shirt tucked in and eliminates the overhanging belly. It shortens the torso, which usually makes for better looking proportions. And the back of the kilt is supposed to be tailored to the curve of the lower back. That won't fit right if you wear it lower. Modern versions of the kilt may not have that tailoring, so it might not matter on them. I don't own any so I don't know. As already mentioned, when you wear a kilt at modern pants level, the pleats won't hang right. Either will the apron. You can see lots of examples of that in the galleries. There are probably some that are ok, but there are plenty that just look bad.

[motorman4life]

I have always worn mine right at or just below the navel. I don't know if that is "traditional" or not, but I always wear mine with a wide belt and particularly appreciate the support it provides. I have found that I need to order long kilts because at 6'2", the standard length hits right above my knees. I'd like it to fall just at the center of my kneecap or just below. For that reason, I've been wearing my 2 eBay bought UK mockers a bit lower than usual to try to compensate.

I started a new thread in accessories regarding wide belts. Please check it out.

[Rigged]

It shortens the torso, which usually makes for better looking proportions.

Unless, like me, you already have a short torso. My father insisted on having my dress trousers tailored to my natural waist. I looked like a head with a pair of legs under it.

I look more proportional with my kilts (and trousers) at my hips.