Good Morning America

[James C]

Hey Everyone,

I heard this on the radio station and looked into the story and it is so true.
Article here: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/scale-size...ry?id=11600379

Thought I would open it up for discussion have you experienced anything like this with kilts? I know the majority of our kilts are Made to Measure so actual waist and hips are very important. If they give the pant measurements we know almost always it will be off.

It was interesting to see the differences in the sizes mentioned in the article. Reasoning too makes sense to me but could be seen as misleading too. Should their be a Universal standard?

From your experience have you ever been shocked by the size difference. I remember at a recent highland games people trying on stock sized kilts we had saying they normally wear 36 pants and had to go up to a 40 or 42 in some cases just to find one that fits. I personally wear 34 pants but my kilt is a 38" waist I believe.

What are your thoughts? Surprised?

[GreenDragon]

Jean sizes are very misleading.

[KiltedKnome]

Women have been dealing with this problem for years. A size 10 now is much larger than a size 10 was years ago, and the differences between brands and stores is outrageous. It especially makes it difficult to purchase anything on-line. When you sew your own clothes, you have a better sense of what your real measurements are. Which is why custom-made kilts are never made to your "pants-size".

Would a universal standard be helpful? Definitely.

[HeathBar]

Not that I am for regulations requiring true sizes in clothing labels, but could you imagine the outrage that would ensue when men realize they are larger than they were led to believe. Though it might start the biggest weight loss campaign in US history.

I never really understood womens sizing methods. Is it a ratio or some sort of calculus equation?

[freddie]

Re kilt waist size. One well known kilt maker used to say 'The waist size should be one or two inches smaller than your trouser (pants) size. Another says the waist size should be smaller because the kilt sits high on the waist and the straps have to keep it up there ( ? look at a high waist army kilt and the straps are positioned well below the top of the kilt, indicating to me that they sit at the top of the hip bone and the 'kilt rise' continues up above these). Yet another kilt maker says that the kilt waist should be bigger than pants as your waist is larger higher up where your kilt sits. Confusing or what???

[Riverkilt]

Know this is why kiltmakers insist on measuring and remeasuring. Years ago I was deep into the cut and sew business. Our company made infants wear and then sizes were by age in months. I can't tell you how many babies I measured to try to get our garments to be the correct size for the "average" baby in months. We were proud our garments fit properly.

But when we were contracted with Sears to make garments Sears sent the patterns they wanted matched...had nothing to do with ours - way off in crazy ways - body too big, sleeves too short.

Now we see, "one size fits most." Right...

Course, at least we're talking about sizes in some regard....so many sporrans are still advertised without a clue to their actual size...

[Standard]

Men's jeans sizes don't seem to be too bad, at least they are fairly consistant. However, shirt sizes vary widly by brand, and even at times within a brand. It would sure be nice if there was a standard for how clothing sizes were labelled. If you truely want your actual size then a custom made piece of clothing, be it kilt or suit is the only way to get a proper fit for your body. You might not like the dimensions that the tailor gives you, but it will fit!

[Lallans]

To give credit where it's due, I first discovered this phenom. on the Utilikilts web site two years ago. It explained a lot, including how I could gain weight without changing clothing sizes and why imported British sizes were simultaneously getting so much smaller. It's NOT a good thing if only because it contributes to the ongoing obesity crisis- but it's a good thing for the tiny reason that it keeps us men buying the correct sizes and not squeezing into too-small garments like my father's generation all did at one point.

[Tobus]

However, shirt sizes vary widly by brand, and even at times within a brand.

I bought a new shirt last weekend and was shocked to see that the size which fit me was a 34-36. I know from recent measurements that my chest is a 38. Yet when I tried on the shirt bearing that size on the label, I looked like a kid wearing his father's shirt!

This is all part of our society's obsession with vanity and refusal to admit to their true size.

[Frank McGrath]

This is the very reason that when I buy jeans, I buy the same brand from the same store every time. And when I buy pants at other stores, I try them on. I really don't live by what the tag says.