Kilt Rise

**jtmilisits** · 25th November 09, 04:15 PM

I've searched the site but couldn't find an answer so hopefully someone hear can. What is kilt rise? I know that a 2" rise is considered "civilian" and a 4" rise military, and that the military wear the kilt higher on the torso, but what is the rise exactly? What is the real difference between a 2" and 4" ( other than the obvious 2 inches ).

**RockyR** · 25th November 09, 04:44 PM

The rise is the distance from the center of the buckle (the swing arm) to the top of the waistband. The buckle cinches in at your true waist (basically your navel). The RISE is the section above that point.

To clarify another similar question...

DROP is the measurement from the top of your hip bone (your waist) to the middle of your knee.
RISE is the 2" measurement above that.
LENGTH is the FULL distance from 2" above your waist to the middle of the knee.

Put into a math equation:

Drop + Rise = Length.

PLEASE NOTE: Some kilt companies ask you to take your measurements different ways... some ask for DROP while others ask for LENGTH. Always follow the instructions of the company you purchase from.

Also... Welcome from Phoenixville PA!

**dfmacliam** · 25th November 09, 08:19 PM

Rocky is a kiltmaker... nothing else need be said..

**thescot** · 25th November 09, 08:26 PM

Yeah, if Rocky says it about a kilt, it's like reading it in the Bible.

**WClarkB** · 25th November 09, 09:21 PM

Originally Posted by jtmilisits

I've searched the site but couldn't find an answer so hopefully someone hear can. What is kilt rise? I know that a 2" rise is considered "civilian" and a 4" rise military, and that the military wear the kilt higher on the torso, but what is the rise exactly? What is the real difference between a 2" and 4" ( other than the obvious 2 inches ).

ditto rocky

**jtmilisits** · 26th November 09, 01:08 PM

Thank you. That answered my question perfectly.

**ForresterModern** · 29th November 09, 06:39 AM

At first read of the thread title I thought this thread had some sexual connotation but I see it is a legitimate kilt build concern. Pardon my intrusion.

**Bugbear** · 29th November 09, 06:56 AM

There is one other aspect of the rise. It has to be able to flare out at the top. That is, the very top of the kilt, at the waistband, has to be wider than the waist area where the buckles are, when the kilt is being worn.

On a two inch rise, this can be achieved by stretching the top of the kilt as the waistband is being sewn on. This is how Barb T. has explained it on the forum. This is opposed to a Stillwater kilt, for example, which is tapered all the way to the top, and the waistband is the tightest point of the kilt.

I am not sure how a four inch rise is constructed, but suspect that it requires some extra flaring to be built into the pleats in the rise area. Perhaps a kiltmaker could explain that detail.

**RockyR** · 29th November 09, 10:14 AM

Ted is correct... the pleated section ABOVE the rise should either flare out or at least be straight up and down. The fell should never taper all the way to the top on a traditional kilt.

The reason it does this is for comfort and fit. The buckles should cinch tightest at your skinniest point (true waist). The flare is to allow for 'expansion' above the waist and to avoid kilted 'muffin top'. If you're unaware of the term muffin top, ask your closest female (it's used while talking about tight jeans).

For those confused by this whole thread, here's a simple visual... the fell of the kilt (and each pleat for that matter) should have a VERY subtle hour glass shape with it being slightly wider at the waistband and bottom of the fell than at the middle of the buckle. If the person is a bit skinnier, then it will be straight up and down for the top 2" and then bell out as you go down the fell.