Stillwater Waistband Too High

[Robinhood]

As cold weather grips the region again,
I am needing a heavyweight wool kilt.
Several times in the past, I had the
inclination to buy a Stillwater heavyweight,
but when I see the picture on the web
site, I am turned off by how high the
waistband is. It wouldn't be quite so
bad if I a bit younger and thinner.
In my case, wearing a kilt that high
with a sporran just doesn't work.
The kilt appears as though it is
wrapped around a beach ball.

What I really need to know is
if a Stillwater kilt can be worn lower
without cramping the hips. I can't
tell from the pictures if the tapering
of the pleats is long and narrow,
making it tight on the hips
so it wants to ride high.

Can the waistband bee loosened
to let it ride lower, without the
stitched down parts of the pleats
being too low for comfort?

If this can be done, what size of
kilt would I order; my waist size,
the size a few inches down from
my belly button - where the kilt
will be worn (which is a couple
inches less than my waist size)
or maybe a couple inches
larger than my waist size?

[Freedomlover]

If you have the excess material at the top of the pleats (inside) trimmed away as it always is in a handmade kilt the kilt will settle nicely farther down. I had that done to mine, and had the pleat stitching relieved about an inch and a half. I found the result very satisfactory.

I also order my Stillwaters an inch or so smaller than my actual waist size which allows for a snug, but not too tight, fit.

[Yaish]

I wear mine low, around the same place as my UK's (a bit higher) and it's fine.