As more and more people around the world have begun to be exposed to kilts of every conceivable color, fabric and style, many who have visited and purchased kilts through my MENSPLACE store here on eBay continue to ask about how to properly wear their kilt. Part of my "value add" as a responsible eBay merchant is to assure that my clients start at the beginning, that is, in the measurement and the fitting well before an actual purchase.

SO, where do you wear your kilt. Many would assert that this is purely a matter of whether you prefer the newer hip hugging style made so popular by the Utilikilt, a fashion phenomenon that has taken the world by storm, thanks largely to the notoriety of so many internationally famous stars who have been photographed of late in public occasions of every type. For the young and lean, the newer hip hugging style that fits at the approximate level of a good pair of jeans is in vogue. However, in carrying this same lower fit to the "more mature" figure of any with a shall we say more ample belly, the kilt follows the same diagonal as the "dun-lop", meaning that the intended straight line of the around the hip fit all too easily hangs "beneath the fold" on the front, while rising considerably higher atop the more ample posterior. herein, the normally tasteful and attractive hip-hugging kilt all too easily becomes a frequent source of public display for anyone behind. Even the slightest degree of bending leads to TMI, especially when the more avid naturalist wears the kilt in the, shall we say, "regimental" manner.

Fitting is everything. If on the heavy side and if intent upon the hip hugging style, by all means get a kilt that is custom cut with extra length in the back. For the lean, the lower fit serves well, but even the height should be considered to assure a length that hits the knees at the proper level. Some prefer the classic mid knee, while others may, regardless of tradtional dictates, prefer their kilt a little shorter or longer. Again, measurement is everything and best done by another peron with a tape measure and most assuredly by paying special attention to keeping the tape at an even level around the back and front.

At MENSPLACE our kilts, both the casual style solid color canvas and the classic and ever popular Black Watch Tartan kilts are cut for a 22.5 inch length for the man of average height. While speaking of the Black Watch, few are aware that it is the tartan of choice for many who do not otherwise have a "family" tartan, a subject in itself of which volumes have been written. I will only mention here in passing that tartans were originally worn based upon the tastes of the individual or the weaver and, if anything, more a localized or regional prefer than an indicator of a specific family. Wear what YOU like.

Clearly, the kilts that are cut and designed as hip huggers are far less able to be worn at other heights due to how they are tapered and designed. However, as with the traditional Black Watch kilts we distribute, the solid color canvas kilts are designed to fit around the "natural waist'. Much has been written about this, but it remains for many one of the most confusing of fitting issues. Most often men do not wear their pants or belts around the natural waist. To simplify this, let us just understand that tradtionally kilts were designed to be worn at the level of the belly button. For some men this takes a bit of a change in mindset, but let me assure you that when you have measured your natural waist at the level of the belly button and evenly around the back, your kilt will feel and look far better.

The nice thing about measuring and wearing your kilt, traditional or the casual canvas kilt, at the higher waistline is that the pleats and the aprons that wrap around the front will naturally flow more evenly both vertically and in how the wrap covers the front. However, with the extra length, you can alaways wear even these a bit lower for a more casual look. The bottom line is to measure your kilt properly based upon the style you are purchasing and based upon your height, girth and desired length BEFORE you buy. Beyond this, wear your kilt where you like but DO consider the other "BOTTOM" line, that which others will see if you take shortcuts!!!!!!