Kilt too big

[rmmcscott]

OK... I need some advice about my kilt. I admit it... I ordered a kilt from Heritage of Scotland (Gold Bros) before reading all the bad reports on them. Anyway, I got my kilt - which of course they had to make - and it's too big!

My question is, is it worth it to send it back and risk more bad luck and having to wait for them to fix it or remake it? Should I try to find someone here to alter it? How hard is it to alter a kilt?

Does anyone know of a place in Colorado that can take a look at my kilt and see what can/needs to be done to it to make it fit correctly?

Thanks,
Scott

[Moosedog]

Hi, Scott,

Can you tell us in more detail how it fits? That might help us make suggestions on possible alterations.

Thanks,
Moosedog

[rmmcscott]

Well... let me start off by saying that I have another PV kilt from kiltmart that fits very well, and I've used it in comparison.

I took my measurement at the true waist and ordered that size (44"). I assumed that the size I ordered would be the size in the center holes of the leather straps. Not the case... even with the leather straps at their smallest hole, it's very loose and I'm afraid of it actually falling to the ground! When I have it on, the pleats don't seem to hang right - to me it seems that because the kilt is so loose that the pleated section doesn't lay flat against my back and causes the pleats to hang funny.

When I compared my PV kilt with the wool kilt (same size supposedly) there was almost a 10" difference in length of the kilt. The aprons seem to be larger than my PV kilt.


I'll try to get some photos of it tonight to post on here.

I really hate to have to send it back to Scotland, wait another 6-8 weeks for them to fix it, or make another one and have it shipped back.

[Chef]

When you say they had to make it is this a made to measure kilt or did you have to wait until they did a run for them to have an off-the-rack kilt in your size? If it is a made to measure kilt, your chance of having them remake or fix it for free are nil since I assume you do the measuring.

You cannot compare sizes of kilts between makers. While they may use the same measurements they may not represent the same thing; you need to ask each time you buy from a new maker.

[rmmcscott]

It was their "Instock Kilt" of 16oz worsted wool. When I ordered it, they told me they didn't have one in my size, and they would need to have it made, so it took about 4 weeks to get it shipped.

As far as the size, I would say that the kilt is a 46 or a 48" kilt, not the 44 because when it's cinched up as tight as it gets, it's bigger than a 44". I e-mailed them and got a response that if I would send it back, they'd "take care of it". I don't know if I want to wait another month or 6 weeks to get this resolved (I'd like to have it for Thanksgiving) especially if they're just going to alter it, which I could have done here.

[Chef]

Well if it is an instock (or off the rack) kilt they probably won't alter it they will probably just send you a new one in the smaller size. Check to see if they have the new one in stock. if that is the case it shouldn't take as long.

[Mark Keeney]

It was their "Instock Kilt" of 16oz worsted wool. When I ordered it, they told me they didn't have one in my size, and they would need to have it made, so it took about 4 weeks to get it shipped.

As far as the size, I would say that the kilt is a 46 or a 48" kilt, not the 44 because when it's cinched up as tight as it gets, it's bigger than a 44". I e-mailed them and got a response that if I would send it back, they'd "take care of it". I don't know if I want to wait another month or 6 weeks to get this resolved (I'd like to have it for Thanksgiving) especially if they're just going to alter it, which I could have done here.

It sounds like they want to make it good for you and I would recommed that you let them try. You might indicate you wanted it for Thanksgiving and find out if they can do that for you. If they are trying to give good service let them.

You might have a back up plan too just to be sure.

[Riverkilt]

Whoa Scott cousin,

No fun for sure! All I can say is I'm getting fatter and the bigger sizes are welcome but it sounds like you're way off. Good luck.

Be sure to tell them you're active on the X Marks the Scot board...they'll know their response will be shared...whether they care or not....

I got my Scott tartan 16oz hand sewn from Kathy Lare, just over the hill from you in Albuquerque. Not sure what your's cost but for comparison's sake mine was $511. Think her prices went up a bit since last year but you can check her website. www.kathyskilts.com

I really like having a stateside kiltmaker for my hand sewns. Someone I've met and who has measured me.



There's some wind in the pleats in this pic but you can see how well the pleats are sewn and how the kilt fits me.

Just another resource for you to consider for your next kilt.

And hey cuz, I'm headed up to Colorado this weekend and planned to wear my Scott tartan kilt. Gonna be on the Western slope soaking in lithium at Orvis Hot Springs in Ridgeway, CO. Ouray, Telluride, and Ridgeway seem to be quite kilt friendly.

Ron

[Nighthawk]

OK... I need some advice about my kilt. I admit it... I ordered a kilt from Heritage of Scotland (Gold Bros) before reading all the bad reports on them. Anyway, I got my kilt - which of course they had to make - and it's too big!

My question is, is it worth it to send it back and risk more bad luck and having to wait for them to fix it or remake it? Should I try to find someone here to alter it? How hard is it to alter a kilt?

Does anyone know of a place in Colorado that can take a look at my kilt and see what can/needs to be done to it to make it fit correctly?

Thanks,
Scott

I don't know anywhere in Colorado... but if you figure one out, let me know. We need to get together and go out drinking some night. GO ROCKIES!

[ccga3359]

When I first got my SWK I had to use a belt to stop it from falling down. The kilt has since shrunk due to kilt night influenced beer drinking. However the easiest way of making a kilt smaller is to move the buckles back and left hip strap in. Search the DIY forum there is some talk of it in there. It shouldn't be too difficult, somebody with opposable thumbs should be able to do it in minutes (or professional for piece of mind).