Two buckle kilt

**Farmer Jones** · 14th January 19, 05:39 AM

I have seen a kilt with 2, not 3 leather straps and buckles. In all other respects (material, construction, size) it appears a normal kilt. Is this a practice? or did the maker forget something?

**Tobus** · 14th January 19, 05:42 AM

The third strap/buckle (the lower one on the right hip) has never really been standard on civilian kilts. Some have them, some don't. It's just an option that some kiltmakers or customers may or may not choose.

**Balaamsass51** · 14th January 19, 05:46 AM

Agree with Tobus. My Watson kilt made by Matt Newsome only shows 1 strap/buckle. The second ones are there, but hidden in the construction.

**Farmer Jones** · 14th January 19, 05:57 AM

Originally Posted by Tobus

The third strap/buckle (the lower one on the right hip) has never really been standard on civilian kilts. Some have them, some don't. It's just an option that some kiltmakers or customers may or may not choose.

Thanks, I did not know that. I have a military kilt and a civilian casual (5 yds) and they both have 3 buckles. I assumed that because my civilian kilt also had 3 buckles that this was a norm. Does the 3rd strap over the hip not help the kilt sit on the hips and not slip down so easily?

**Jock Scot** · 14th January 19, 06:00 AM

Originally Posted by Farmer Jones

I have seen a kilt with 2, not 3 leather straps and buckles. In all other respects (material, construction, size) it appears a normal kilt. Is this a practice? or did the maker forget something?

All the kilts that I have worn during a fairly long life have had two straps and buckles. It depends what the kilt maker prefers and to an extent what the customer requires. Either way, its no big deal.

**Tobus** · 14th January 19, 06:28 AM

Originally Posted by Farmer Jones

Thanks, I did not know that. I have a military kilt and a civilian casual (5 yds) and they both have 3 buckles. I assumed that because my civilian kilt also had 3 buckles that this was a norm. Does the 3rd strap over the hip not help the kilt sit on the hips and not slip down so easily?

When a kilt is worn properly at the natural waist, it should not slip down. The third buckle shouldn't have anything to do with that.

Matt Newsome has an article that briefly talks about this third buckle and its history: http://kiltmaker.blogspot.com/2005/0...lt-straps.html

**jthk** · 14th January 19, 08:45 AM

Originally Posted by Farmer Jones

I have seen a kilt with 2, not 3 leather straps and buckles. In all other respects (material, construction, size) it appears a normal kilt. Is this a practice? or did the maker forget something?

The other replies on this thread have taken care of the business but I'd add that my kiltmaker has assured me that the bottom hip strap and buckle is, essentially, pointless. If present, it should be buckled relatively loose so it doesn't pull and distort the front apron. Most of my kilts have three buckles but two of them have only two buckles. One is a 4-yard box-pleated kilt with the internal hidden buckle on my left hip and the visible buckle on my right. The other is a 8-yard styled knife-pleated kilt that I've taken the bottom buckle off myself.

Jonathan

**figheadair** · 14th January 19, 08:59 AM

I'm not sure when and where the third buckle originated, it certainly wasn't the norm in the 19th century, or even early 20th century as far as I know.

**OC Richard** · 14th January 19, 04:44 PM

My kilts all have 2 buckles.

As far as I can figure out the 3rd buckle came about on high-waisted kilts.

Some modern kilts are so low-cut that the top buckle is about where the lower buckle would be on a high-waisted kilt- but the low-cut kilt still has the lower buckle, which is displaced downward and is far too low, preventing the kilt from hanging properly.

It's absurd how low some of the 3rd buckles are. Whatever for?

Note the position of the lower buckle on this high-rise military kilt.

**plaid preacher** · 15th January 19, 08:49 AM

Originally Posted by Tobus

When a kilt is worn properly at the natural waist, it should not slip down. The third buckle shouldn't have anything to do with that.

Matt Newsome has an article that briefly talks about this third buckle and its history: http://kiltmaker.blogspot.com/2005/0...lt-straps.html

Tobus, that is what they say. Alas, some of us are outties and not innies when it comes to our waists. I'm afraid my waist is my thickest part of me. that being said, it wouldn't matter how tight I pulled a third strap, it would never be able to keep my kilt up. Even for those of us with a bulging physique, it's the waist strap that is important.