Figuring kilt size from unwrapped length

[MacNachtan Archer]

What would be the likely (approximate) waist size for a kilt that measures 63 inches unwrapped? Preowned kilts on sales sites often have this as the only measurement given...

[DCampbell16B]

Try dividing by 3 and multiplying by 2. So 42 ia an approximation.

[Steve Ashton]

To give you a visual of how and why the above formula works-

The outer apron of a kilt made in the "Traditional" manner will be about 1/2 of the waist circumference. The under apron will be the same.

This leaves 1/2 of the waist circumference made up of the pleated back.

As the outer apron overlaps the under apron the waist circumference is the width of the outer apron + the width of the pleated back - But not including the under apron.

You can see here that from the right edge of the outer apron - across the pleated area - to the right edge of the under apron of this kilt is 34".

1/3 of the total width is in the outer apron, 1/3 in the under apron and 1/3 in the back pleated part.



This is measured at the level of the smallest part of the kilt. On a kilt made in the "Traditional" manner this is at the level of the top strap.

So, if you are thinking about buying a kilt where the full width is the only measurement given you will need to know if the kilt is a "Traditionally" made kilt or not, and where the measurement was taken on the kilt.

While this is how you measure a "Traditional" kilt, many kilts sold today may or may not be measured the same way.
The smallest part of the kilt may be at the top band and not at the top strap. The length of a Traditionally made kilt will be from the center of the top strap down to be Selvedge edge while many kilts sold today give the length as if from the top band of the kilt down to the bottom edge.
And then you need to know if the aprons are 1/2 of the waist circumference. Many kilts today can be anywhere from just 12-14 inches wide to 1/3 of the waist or anything else.

So while the Total width divided by 3 and then doubled will get you in the ballpark you really need more information to make an informed decision on a purchase.

Personally, I would never buy a kilt that gave only the full, laid out measurement. It tells you right away that the seller does not know kilts. You really have no way to know if - what you are buying is what you think it is - based on
this information.

[Pleater]

It is possible to manipulate a kilt, particularly one made without the usual reinforcements and reduce its size and where it sits.
I have taken a couple of inches out of a waistline by tacking a length of tape around at the correct level on the outside of the kilt and pressing to gently persuade the fabric into the correct measurements.
I then took a length of shaped waist tape and sewed it into the inside upside down to the usual way it is used, with the wider edge uppermost and the narrow edge at the waistline.
Over that I put a tape at the waist which was wide enough to support the straps and buckles and take the strain of wearing and then put in a lining.
This corrected a kilt made with the narrowest measurement at the very top, which sagged no matter how much the straps were tightened. It also took the strain of the vertical sewing which was already showing the effects of the strain being put on the pleats.
Most competent dressmakers should be able to do a similar correction if you are unlucky enough to buy a kilt without the correct shaping, but it needs to also lack the reinforcement unless a dismantling can be achieved without doing damage. Sometimes glue is involved, which is rather bad news.

Anne the Pleater

[ObiSeanKenobi]

[...] This is measured at the level of the smallest part of the kilt. On a kilt made in the "Traditional" manner this is at the level of the top strap. [...]

I notice in the photo, the measurement starts a couple inches in from the edge of the fabric. Is this point the start of the top strap, or is there some other rationale for starting the measurement at that point?

[Steve Ashton]

The rational is due to this particular kilt design. The outer apron on this kilt is made with one extra inch added to the right side.

If you look closely at the tartan pattern you should be able to see that it is not symmetrical.

[OC Richard]

I think a fairly good approximate formula is The Ratio Of The Beast, that is, multiply the total width by .666