MacKinlay Bespoke Kilt

Size Guide

it’s very important to know how to measure your Kilt size before buying a Kilt, Fortunately it’s super easy to do, and we only need four measurements. You’ll need a tailor’s measuring tape, which you can get at any sewing or craft store if you don’t already have one. Don’t use a metal tape measure! You also want a Trusty Assistant to help.

Also, and this is super important, do not use your pants measurements! They are lying to you about your waist size and can not be trusted. 

I wear a 34 in Levis but my kilts range from 36-39 inches, depending on where I wear it. If you send us your jeans waist size your kilt won’t fit and you’ll be a sad panda. 

Okay, here we go! Please check the video

1. Waist

Blue Line Decide where you’d like to wear your kilt. You can wear it up at your natural waist, which is a wee bit above your belly button, and higher than guys tend to wear their pants nowadays. You can also wear your kilt lower, closer to the hips like your jeans or shorts. It’s up to you and what you find most comfortable. Having said that, if you’re a Gentleman of Substance I generally suggest wearing your kilt higher up. It’s much more flattering than having the waistband under your stomach, and the front of the kilt will hang nicely.

Alrighty then! Take your measuring tape and run it around yourself where you want the top of your kilt to sit. Do pull it just slightly snug. Not tight, just snug. Stand straight and let things fall where they may. No sucking in or pushing out of the gut.

2. Hip – Red Line

Measure loosely around the widest part of your backside. How do you know where the widest part is? Stand with your back to a wall and slowly back up. The bit that touches the wall first is where you want your Trusty Assistant to measure.

3.  Distance between waist and Hip

Run the tape from where you measured your waist to where you measured your hip. The pleats will be sewn down along the fell, which is part of what gives a kilt it’s unique swish and swing when you move.

4. Kilt Length – Green Line

A kilt is worn roughly at the knee. If you like a very traditional look then you’ll want to have your kilt at the top of your knee. If you’re not one for rules and like your kilt to ride low on your hips then you might like to have it at the bottom of your knee. In the photos above, my kilt is right about mid-knee because that’s how I roll. Okay, stand nice and straight and have your Trusty Assistant measure down your side from where you took your waist measurement to the spot on your knee where you want the hem of your kilt to fall. Done and done.

Remember, these measurements are important and need to be accurate. Measure twice, then measure a third time to be sure. If it feels like something isn’t right, or if you have any questions, please let me know.