Sporran strap question

[Barb T]

You can see many postings on this forum by Matt and me about this topic. The loops on a kilt are not for a belt.

Why not? First, it's not traditional. Kilts 50 years ago didn't have loops of any kind. Then people started putting little loops on to keep the sporran strap in place (with the strap buckle between the loops and the belt over top to hide the buckle). Then people got to wondering why their belts wouldn't fit through the loops (which weren't actually for the belt in the first place...), and some kilts started being made with bigger loops. Now, you see kilts with big loops and people who put kilt belts through the loops.

Why don't you want to put a kilt belt through loops? In the picture in the post above, you can see the risk you take putting a kilt belt through the loops. Notice how the belt pulls up the kilt and distorts the line of the tartan right at the loop? If you keep wearing a kilt with the belt through the loops, this permanently distorts the line of the kilt and even the bottom edge is noticeably pulled up. So, I urge people not to do this. It's made worse every time you sit down and put stress on the loops.

This is, of course, personal choice. Some people opt for putting a belt through loops because they find it more comfortable and are OK with what it does to the kilt. That's fine. My suggestion is just that you just know what the pros and cons are and you make a conscious decision.

Barb

[Caradoc]

You can see many postings on this forum by Matt and me about this topic. The loops on a kilt are not for a belt.

My best tank doesn't even have belt loops. Or a third buckle.

[walkerk]

Sporran strap through the loops? Two or three beers and a trip to the "men's room" should answer that question for you. :rolleyes:

[bubba]

No way would I wear the sporran strap through the loops or under the belt. I tend to slide the sporran to the side for driving and other things and that would make it difficult if not impossible. Practicality first.

[Kiltman]

I'm definitely with Barb and Matt on this one. No loops are needed for a sporran. As a general rule I don't put loops on kilts I make for myself, nor do I need to have a third buckle if the fabric is heavy enough. When I look over the history of kilts, I don’t see belts being very common at all. While I’ve not adopted Matt’s solution to the hole in the kilt, I have reinforced the button hole with light leather and sewn it done.
I retro-fitted one of my kilts with the belt that goes all the way around the back and only attaches to the buckle on the upper apron. I did put loops on for that one, but I'm still debating if I should continue with that practice. Any comments or experience will be appreciated.

[porrick]

Sporran strap through the loops? Two or three beers and a trip to the "men's room" should answer that question for you. :rolleyes:

What doesn't work for some, works for others. I enjoy a lot of Guinness kilted, and have never had problems sliding or lifting sporran aside when strap run through loops...

I guess it is all about trial and error (hopefully not in the men's room ), and finding out one's own preferences.

[bunchdescendant]

Thanks All!

Just came back from the movies/dinner for the daughter's 17th birthday and I was surprised by the number of posts!

As it has been said before, this board is a wealth of information. Thanks to all that have chimed in.

Ray (Cutting and dying leather this afternoon)