Advise needed

**kilted in kleaveland** · 15th August 06, 06:49 PM

Help! I have a friend that, while I give him credit for wearing his kilt, just doesn't look right. Don't get me wrong. I'm not the kilt police. It's just that he has a beer belly and wears his kilt UNDER it. It is not flattering. In fact it accentuates his weight. I've been told that I wear my kilts like clothing. He wears it like a costume. (ouch!) The wonderful thing about a kilt is that when worn over the girth of a large belly, it evens the top and bottom parts, giving an overall better look. I have suggested a more traditional kilt to my friend as they are generally worn higher on the waist (as compared to a UK). He doesn't get the hint. I really don't want to be blunt and put him off kilt wearing as a whole, but the way he wears his kilt now is NOT compimentary. Any suggestions?

**Andrew Green** · 15th August 06, 07:53 PM

I dunno... that's pretty ick. I have seen people wear kilts low like that, and it ISN'T pretty. This sort of thing makes me glad that I never got a lower slung "casual" model... as I am on the larger side myself. The best approach would be honesty. I mean, my friends and I tend to be very blunt with each other, and rarely does it end in offense. I recognize my flaws... I don't like them, but I don't deny them either. You could always try to argue that kilts are supposed to be worn higher up, as a matter of tradition; I don't know how far that will get you though.

**turpin** · 15th August 06, 07:57 PM

It sounds like you've done the hinting thing, and are ready for the next step. If he is wearing the kilt to begin with, he must have enough self-confidence to withstand a friendly, but honest critique of his appearance. You might try finding and printing out some pictures of overweight kilters that illustrate what he looks like, and what he could look like if he wore it properly, or went with a more flattering style of kilt. No one purposely wants to look bad in their clothes. Try looking on the Kilt advice forium under the kilting do's and don'ts thread. Lots of pix there.

Only you know how strong your relationship is with your friend. Don't forget those old deodorant commercials from the 60's, where "Only your best friend will tell you." All this being said, once you believe he understands your message, back off. How he wears his clothes is ultimately his decision.