Fishtail back on kilt with button braces?

**Crazy Dave** · 25th April 21, 06:27 PM

Originally Posted by McMurdo

I've never seen anything like that, but I think that may be because the kilt does not need braces to hold it up.

I bought a very old kilt with the Royal Stewart tartan. It came with a drummers plaid (with a belt). The tartan on both was faded on the outside but not on the inside, so it must have been worn outdoors quite a bit. It also has suspender buttons sewn on the inside. I like the real faded tartan. It is a little small for me, but I am in the process of losing weight on doctors order, so I'm hoping to shrink into it. I probably won't use suspenders with it.

Dave

**Kriegbert** · 25th April 21, 06:29 PM

Originally Posted by Crazy Dave

I bought a very old kilt with the Royal Stewart tartan. It came with a drummers plaid (with a belt). The tartan on both was faded on the outside but not on the inside, so it must have been worn outdoors quite a bit. It also has suspender buttons sewn on the inside. I like the real faded tartan. It is a little small for me, but I am in the process of losing weight on doctors order, so I'm hoping to shrink into it. I probably won't use suspenders with it.

Dave

Would you mind showing us some pictures?

**McMurdo** · 25th April 21, 07:33 PM

I understand completely that people have seen buttons on the inside of their kilts for braces, however what I was referring to was the question of a fishtail back.

**Shinenotburn** · 25th April 21, 08:40 PM

A proper fitting kilt would no doubt come up to the same level as the top of the fish tail, so I would think there would be no advantage. I thought the fishtails and suspenders on trews was so they didn't slip below the jacket or tunic when riding or sitting, was it not.

**Kriegbert** · 25th April 21, 08:45 PM

Originally Posted by Shinenotburn

A proper fitting kilt would no doubt come up to the same level as the top of the fish tail, so I would think there would be no advantage. I thought the fishtails and suspenders on trews was so they didn't slip below the jacket or tunic when riding or sitting, was it not.

No, that's not the benefit as jackets are too long for that problem to occur and shirts also used to be crotch length (before the advent of separate undergarments) for that to be an issue. the advantage of a fishtail is in comfort regarding that pressure of the waistband is distributed along the natural contour of the small of the back.

**Shinenotburn** · 25th April 21, 08:47 PM

Originally Posted by Kriegbert

No, that's not the benefit as jackets are too long for that problem to occur and shirts also used to be crotch length (before the advent of separate undergarments) for that to be an issue. the advantage of a fishtail is in comfort regarding that pressure of the waistband is distributed along the natural contour of the small of the back.

As it is in a proper fitting kilt.

**Kriegbert** · 25th April 21, 08:50 PM

Originally Posted by Shinenotburn

As it is in a proper fitting kilt.

No, you seem to misapprehend the point. Regardless of proper fit, the two styles are different mechanisms of wear. Braces work against gravity by hanging weight from the shoulders. A waistband kilt (or trousers) use lateral force for security. The point being: when suspended from the shoulders, fishtails provide a benefit (indeed, a fishtail without braces would be utterly pointless.