where to wear a kilt?

[Kitty]

first post of many i'm sure...

I'm making a kilt for my boyfriend, but I have a question before I start cutting (and really before I get final measurements).

All the pics of people wearing kilts have them wear it high on the waist, like above the navel. But my boyfriend has a bit of a belly and normally wears his pants below it. So when I was measuring, measuring & measuring, there is quite a difference between back-side-and front for the length.

I want the kilt to come to middle of the knees as that seems what most instructions say, but I'm afraid it'll be much lower if I use the front measurement. But he's losing weight (20lbs so far) and I'm hoping to take it in when he's at his happy weight, but I dont want it to be a mini-kilt when he can wear it higher on the waist.

So long story short:
What is the best way to measure the length and is it ok for him to wear the kilt below his belly like he does his pants?

Thanks
Kitty

[cavscout]

Welcome Kitty.

You'll get a lot of great information from the members here and the Professional Kilt Makers as well so I won't even try and speak inteligently on how to make a kilt.

Whether this will be a traditional kilt or a contemporary kilt will make a difference in what would work. If you could give us more information on the style your going for. (Tartan or solid color) (Type of Material, Cotton twill or cotton flannel...) As much information as you can share will help you get more thorough answers.

Utilikilt for example makes a kilt with what they call the gut-cut where it is shorter in the front than in the back so it can be worn under the belly or to be pushed down.

[davedove]

I can't speak for anyone else, but I don't like the looks of a kilt (or pants for that matter) worn below a large belly. It just looks bad to me. A high waisted kilt will help disguise the large belly. It won't hide it, but it won't look as bad.

I say measure the kilt at the waist, not under the belly.

But again, that's just me (and I have a large belly).

[Kitty]

It's a solid color, very dark green and made of a wool/poly blend I think, and it's a semi-heavier material.

I haven't quite decided on traditional or casual. I'm still doing lots of research and so I guess I haven't tracked down where the differences lie. But from my understanding casual is a bit easier to make and I think I wanna lean towards easier as he wants it for the Ren Fest.

I think i'd like to add belt straps to tie it together though. Just decided today cuz i was trying to figure out how i was gonna fasten it, so eventually I'll be having questions on how to do that.

[mkmound]

Kitty,

Welcome to the group!!

For your research, you can certainly access the web sites of the sponsors of this site for a wide variety of traditional and contemporary styles.

If you haven't spotted the threads yet which mention "The Art of Kiltmaking" by Barbara Tewksbury and Elsie Stuehmeyer, (Barb is a member of this forum) it is an excellent resource which you can order. You can use the forum's search function to locate lots of threads which discuss various aspects of making both traditional and contemporary styles.

Happy stitching!! You have a very fortunate boyfriend!!

[bubba]

It will look much nicer worn high rather than under the belly. Wearing it high will help hide the pot belly and smooth the body line giving a bit trimmer look.

[cavscout]

I agree with Dave about wearing it on the belly. If this were going to be a knock around pajama kilt it might be fine to go under the belly. But since this will be worn out in public, it will look better on the belly and allow for more flexibility when you need to alter it due to weight fluxuation.

In my understanding, a casual kilt is one that basically is worn on the hips (wear your jeans might ride) so it will be worn just below the navel typically. A more taditional kilt will actually extend slightly above the navel or up to the rib cage.

Unless you want to have to buy more material later after he's lost his eight, I'd try to keep the material in original condition as you can to make alterations easier down the road. You can always cut the cloth down later.

The solid color will be a lot easier for you to pleat as you need to so that's a great choice.

[timber]

Wearing it high also helps to keep it up. When I have to wear trousers, I am constantly hiking them up, My kilt stays put.

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Welcome! As others have mentioned, you will have a much easier time adjusting the kilt for waist fluctuations if you measure and make it to be worn at the waist, either at or slightly below the navel for a casual/contemporary kilt, or at or above the navel for a contemporary. That being said, there are contemporary kilts that are worn high by some people, and traditional kilts that are worn low by others. I think that contemporary vs. traditional has more to do with the material and construction of the kilt than where it is worn.

And remember, if you make it to be worn under the belly bulge but to keep the hem parallel to the ground in the font and the back, you will be cutting material out of the front of the kilt (beer gut cut), to make this happen. As with anything, once you cut it out, it is gone! No making alterations after that.

And if it is for a Ren Faire and your boy friend's weight is changing, why not make him a great kilt now (from a material he likes), then make it into a regular kilt when his weight settles down? Less work for both of you, more appropriate for Ren Faire wear (IMO), and you can make a regular kilt down the line.

[Pour1Malt]

ai'm no a kilt maker ...

nut ai have a belly... :rolleyes:

he will luek far better if he wears the kilt oop over his belly...

the kilt an belt even work as a bit o' a 'corset' tae help pull oor bellies in!


BTW...

walcome tae the rabble, Lassie....

guid oan ya fur fin'in us!