2 VS 3 Straps

[Alan H]

2

(shortest post, ever!)

[piperdbh]

2

(shortest post, ever!)

and best, too

[denmcdough]

Personally, I prefer two straps and no belt loops. Two hand made kilts, by Wally Catanach, are this way, as is one made by Bonnie Heather Green.

Not sure why the third strap came about but, on my other kilts with three, it tends to pull, at least on me, the sett out of position if it's too tight.

[kiltedjoss]

I like the look of three. My most recent purchase had two. It looked funny. But, I think I like it now. So, it doesn't matter. I always get belt loops too. And, when one came off, I didn't repair it because I've never used them.

So for straps, 2 or 3--whatever you like. And, for belt loops, 2 or none, or one--whatever you like.

[Richrail]

I like the look of three. My most recent purchase had two. It looked funny. But, I think I like it now. So, it doesn't matter. I always get belt loops too. And, when one came off, I didn't repair it because I've never used them.

So for straps, 2 or 3--whatever you like. And, for belt loops, 2 or none, or one--whatever you like.

***

[creagdhubh]

Personally, I prefer two straps and no belt loops. Two hand made kilts, by Wally Catanach, are this way, as is one made by Bonnie Heather Green.

Not sure why the third strap came about but, on my other kilts with three, it tends to pull, at least on me, the sett out of position if it's too tight.

My kilts do not have belt loops either. I never wear a belt with the kilt, so there is no point! I believe the third strap is derived from the old military kilts that were much higher waisted, thus requiring additional support.

[denmcdough]

I believe the third strap is derived from the old military kilts that were much higher waisted, thus requiring additional support.

Hmm, never thought of that. It makes sense. Thanks, Kyle!

[Zardoz]

As has been said, third strap comes from the old military kilts that were much higher waisted. The way kilts are made and worn these days they are somewhat unnessasary, but traditional. Me, I like the way 3 straps look, I buckle the 3rd one loosely and personally have not had trouble with the 'pulling' etc. issues.

[NeightRG]

One nice little perk for two straps over three, is that it "folks" it up a bit, and makes it look far less like I'm dressing up as a wedding piper...
It's the same as the difference between tassels or no tassels on your sporran.

The nice thing is, it would take one hell of a fascist kilt cop to cause a fuss over not having the third strap when you DO go formal.

[Tobus]

One nice little perk for two straps over three, is that it "folks" it up a bit, and makes it look far less like I'm dressing up as a wedding piper...
It's the same as the difference between tassels or no tassels on your sporran.

The nice thing is, it would take one hell of a fascist kilt cop to cause a fuss over not having the third strap when you DO go formal.

Hmm, it's interesting that you see it that way. I've never really thought of it in terms of looking like a piper or being a more formal kilt with a third strap. I've always just seen it as being par for the course on a traditional kilt, regardless of the kilt's role. But there's no doubt that older traditional kilts have been made both ways.

Looking back through the discussion, I also find it interesting that folks would remove it (or opt not to have it) just because it's superfluous. Heck, the entirety of Highland attire is full of items that are there only for the sake of tradition and not modern practicality. If we're cleaning up our kilt attire to get rid of vestigial components, let's also ditch fringe on the apron, kilt pins, brogueing on shoes, buckles on shoes, gauntlet cuffs on jackets, ribbons/tails on bonnets, sgians dubh, and anything else that's merely decorative or otherwise "no longer needed".

Or, we could just accept that some things have evolved the way they are today due to tradition, and are kinda worth keeping for the sake of tradition, even if they aren't absolutely essential.

To each his own, of course. Me, I like the vestigial third strap. It just looks like a proper kilt with it.