Troy, the "hold-out" for a real WOOL, honest, hand-sewn authentic traditional is WELL sorth the wait. Any other belt just doesn't look right with them. even I have been guilty to wearing a 1.5" belt with a traditional, but that's when I'm moving around a lot. Everyother time... it's a 2.5" or 3" kilt belt.

I can't speak for the "sturdiness" of the plain versus the grained, but I DO know that the grained does not reflect light like some of the shiney solids do. The buckkle and the tartan should get the attention.

Don't forget that there are places to get an AUTHENTIC handsewn at a cut rate price.