Best belt for daywear, or casual wear?

**Highwayman** · 15th May 19, 01:20 PM

I've been on the fence for a few months about upgrading my kilt belt from my standard, 1.5 daily wear belt to a dedicated kilt belt. But the more I look at the buckles and styles, I just can't get behind wearing it unless the buckle design were completely blank or minimal. I'm now reading that traditional day wear belts were normal prong belts. Anyone have solid go-to designs, or suggestions for when and how to wear a belt?

**California Highlander** · 15th May 19, 02:50 PM

Originally Posted by Highwayman

I've been on the fence for a few months about upgrading my kilt belt from my standard, 1.5 daily wear belt to a dedicated kilt belt. But the more I look at the buckles and styles, I just can't get behind wearing it unless the buckle design were completely blank or minimal. I'm now reading that traditional day wear belts were normal prong belts. Anyone have solid go-to designs, or suggestions for when and how to wear a belt?

I always think that a McRostie would be my choice, next time I buy a kilt belt.

https://www.mcrostie.co.uk/product-c...ar/kilt-belts/

**Father Bill** · 15th May 19, 02:56 PM

Originally Posted by California Highlander

I always think that a McRostie would be my choice, next time I buy a kilt belt.

https://www.mcrostie.co.uk/product-c...ar/kilt-belts/

Absolutely one of the best! Check out their day sporrans too. I love mine!

**fflex** · 15th May 19, 03:10 PM

L&M Highland.ca have a few at a very good price.

**Father Bill** · 15th May 19, 03:12 PM

Steve at Freedom Kilts has a beauty of which I'm very proud.

**Bruce Scott** · 15th May 19, 03:17 PM

Something like this would be my choice:

https://herdofsporrans.com/collectio...ther-kilt-belt

**The Wizard of BC** · 15th May 19, 03:38 PM

I use this belt exclusively as I dislike the 'standard' Dirk belt and waistplate.

It is basically a wide belt just like the narrow ones worn with trousers. The buckle is attached with snaps.
The buckle and the leather have a nice intertwined knot design.
Available in Black and Brown.

I import these from Lee River Leather in Ireland and have them in stock but there is nothing stopping you from googling them and ordering direct.

They even have sporran hangers for those 'Gentlemen of substance', so that a sporran strap does not end up under the belly puckering the apron.
(the plain buckle in this photo has been discontinued)

I think they look pretty good with almost any level of formality where you do not wear a vest.

If you walk into my shop almost any day, this is how you will see me dressed. The belt is actually just decorative. It does not hold the kilt up, the straps and buckles of the kilt do that. I wear a belt to give a horizontal line break between the top and bottom of my body.

**Father Bill** · 15th May 19, 04:20 PM

...and that's the one I was recommending earlier in this thread!

**imbrius** · 16th May 19, 06:36 AM

Originally Posted by The Wizard of BC

If you walk into my shop almost any day, this is how you will see me dressed. The belt is actually just decorative. It does not hold the kilt up, the straps and buckles of the kilt do that. I wear a belt to give a horizontal line break between the top and bottom of my body.

Yup! That's exactly what a belt is for. I discovered I needed one when I wore the old acrylic kilt without a belt or waistcoat and saw that I looked more like a sausage whose casing exploded on one end. Adding the belt did wonders for the visual perception of my body shape without actually changing my overall tube nature.

My go-to daywear belt came from a Meijer store, in their "workwear" department next to the Carhartt jeans. It's 1.75" width. I think it's a Calvin Klein? Anyway it has the tall-oriented buckle in a brushed nickel finish and two prongs. Plain black leather. Looks just grand with a kilt and decent with jeans, too.

**Tobus** · 18th May 19, 09:27 AM

Originally Posted by Highwayman

I've been on the fence for a few months about upgrading my kilt belt from my standard, 1.5 daily wear belt to a dedicated kilt belt. But the more I look at the buckles and styles, I just can't get behind wearing it unless the buckle design were completely blank or minimal. I'm now reading that traditional day wear belts were normal prong belts. Anyone have solid go-to designs, or suggestions for when and how to wear a belt?

If you are looking for traditional daywear, the previous suggestions are spot-on. A plain leather belt (2" or wider for good proportionality, IMHO) with a simple prong buckle is the way to go. There are waistplate types out there that will work too, and don't look dressy, shiny, or overly ornate. It really just comes down to personal taste.

Keep in mind, too, that a belt is not absolutely necessary. It can provide a decent visual separation between shirt and kilt, of course, but sometimes there is a case to be made for not wearing one, even when a waistcoat is not worn. Experimentation with different combinations can be fun.

Last but not least, since you mentioned "casual wear" in your title, there's the option of non-traditional belt styles that still work with the kilt. For instance, a US military web belt is nice and wide, and can work with the kilt when you're not particularly dressing up within the understood realm of "daywear". British army web belts can work very nicely too.

For instance, here's one of my US web belts (ALICE, pistol belt) worn with a military kilt, which is kind of a fun look with combat boots.

Oh, and it works with Utilikilts too, and is especially handy for hiking.