Kilt Measuring Guide
Please refer to this guide to find your ideal kilt sizes.
THREE SIZES ARE REQUIRED (in inches) :
• Plus your height.
• Use a flexible fabric tape measure.
• Wear light clothing, and remove bulky items from your pockets.
• Do not measure yourself, as this will result in incorrect measurements, instead have a Trusty Assistant handy.
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1/ KILT WAIST (for a traditional kilt)
• Do not breathe in or hold your breathe.
• Measure snugly around your NATURAL WAIST, which for the average man could be about the height of the belly button/or slightly above. A horizontal line about an inch or two above the top of the hip bone can also indicate the natural waist position. This should be a firm, but not tight, measurement.
• The traditional kilt sits higher than your trousers, so this measurement will most likely be bigger than your trouser measurements.
• The larger built man may require a measurement a fair bit higher than the belly button - which also may have dropped (yes a fact of life for us men!) - thus the kilt waist is secured above the widest girth of the torso allowing for a more secure fit. If so, you may measure for a longer kilt length, to still finish halfway on the knee.
SEE IMAGES BELOW - showing an indication of possible kilt fittings
...on different body types.
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2/ SEAT
• With feet together, measure around the BROADEST part of your hips/butt (upper thigh area). My kilt maker recommends allowing four fingers between the tape measure and body, for a relaxed and comfortable measurement ...also allowing for the idea swing in your kilt.
Note: THE SEAT SIZE CANNOT BE LESS THAN THE KILT WAIST SIZE, and should be a number of inches bigger (depending on hip to waist ratio).
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3/ LENGTH (Kilt drop)
KNEELING METHOD:
• Kneel on the floor, keeping a straight back looking forward. Have your Trusty Assistant measure from the PREVIOUSLY MEASURED KILT WAIST POSITION - straight down to the floor - then deduct a half inch. This should result in a kilt length mid way on the knee. It is very important to have another person take this measurement for you as doing this yourself will result in leaning forward, and an incorrect measurement.
• If a military style kilt length is required shorten the length by a further half inch.
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IMPORTANT - Please ensure sizes supplied are correct and accurate - as custom made kilt orders - to supplied sizes - cannot be returned unless there is a defect in the garment, or an adjustment is being requested.
If unsure please seek the assistance from an experienced kilt-maker.
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More...
• Your length will depend on how you want to wear your kilt, which is your personal preference of course, and how high you want it to sit on your waist. This guide is based on the recommendation of my own kilt-maker.
• Standard kilts would normally be worn to the middle of your kneecap, while military kilts can be worn a little shorter, to the top of the kneecap. If you want to wear your kilt with a short jacket, such as a Prince Charlie (maybe for a wedding), you may want to have your kilt sit higher on the waist, possibly by an extra inch or so. So bear that in mind when measuring your kilt waist position.
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EXPECTED KILT LENGTHS
Normally, your kilt length will correspond with the following sizes. If it's significantly different, try taking the measurements again. If it's slightly different, then it could be down to preference or body shape.
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Height - 5 foot 6 inches - to 5 foot 7 inches
22" to 22.5" kilt length
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Height - 5 foot 8 inches - to 5 foot 9 inches
23" to 23.5" kilt length
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Height - 5 foot 10 inches - to 5 foot 11 inches
24" to 24.5" kilt length
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Height - 6 foot - to 6 foot 2 inches
24.5" to 25.5" kilt length
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Height - 6 foot 3 inches - to 6 foot 4 inches
26" to 26.5" kilt length
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Height - 6 foot 5 inches - to 6 foot 7 inches
27" to 27.5" kilt length
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Please note again: The 'gentleman of substance' ...with a larger build ...may find a longer kilt - fitted with a higher waist position on the torso - results in a more secure fit. Please refer to the images above showing an indication of possible kilt fittings on different body types.