Question on how to wear a belt with kilts

**RCallan** · 7th June 06, 05:24 PM

I think I read somewhere you can wear a belt with a traditonal kilt but it should be worn out side the belt loops??? (Then why have belt loops at all?)
And what about casual kilts like UK. You really need to wear a belt through the belt loops so that it holds up the kilt ...plus it just looks better.

What's the rule???

**Hamish** · 7th June 06, 05:42 PM

Originally Posted by RCallan

I think I read somewhere you can wear a belt with a traditonal kilt but it should be worn out side the belt loops??? (Then why have belt loops at all?)
And what about casual kilts like UK. You really need to wear a belt through the belt loops so that it holds up the kilt ...plus it just looks better.

What's the rule???

There are no rules! There are opinions, however. One: please never wear a belt if you are wearing a waistcoat/vest. Two: please don't wear a dress-belt when dressed casually. Three: always ensure the colour of your belt is the same as that of your sporran and footwear (ie: black with black, or brown with brown). Also, if possible, try to match the buckle of your belt with the kilt-pin - although this is often difficult to manage!

If a traditional, 'high-rise' kilt is tailored correctly, you should not really need a belt (some kiltmakers do not provide belt loops on their kilts, for this reason). However, I think a suitable belt adds the finishing touch and invariably wear one.

Agreed, some contemporary kilts actually need a belt to hold them together, but whether they need one or not, it's always best to wear one.

Finally, all kilts require wide belts - 2" minimum; 2¼" is perfect. Trouser belts just will not do - so get rid of them when you get rid of your trousers!!!

**cloves** · 7th June 06, 05:54 PM

Originally Posted by Hamish

Trouser belts just will not do - so get rid of them when you get rid of your trousers!!!

or maybe try to find a way to make them into nice leather sporran straps!

**KiltedCodeWarrior** · 7th June 06, 06:16 PM

Funny, I had been thinking about starting a similar thread. I have seen reference to the fact that the loops are actually for the sporran strap and not for the belt. Personally, I always use the loops for belt loops and do not thread the sporran strap throught them. Anybody have any histrorical information (Matt?) on the intent, or accuracy, of loops on a kilt?

**Archangel** · 7th June 06, 06:58 PM

I usually recommend that people look to Geoffrey kilts when they have these kinds of questions. Look through the pictures and see what the traditions are. I just looked and the gallery is more 21stCentury kilts but the answers are more on the main site. Later on check out the 21stCentury.

Does anybody know if the catalogue is still available from Geoffrey's? That was a valuable reference.

**Hamish** · 8th June 06, 03:31 PM

Originally Posted by Archangel

.................................................. .................................................. ......................
Does anybody know if the catalogue is still available from Geoffrey's? That was a valuable reference.

Indeed it is! All 23 pages of it. Call them for a copy: 0131 557 0256 from the United Kingdom or Toll-Free from North America on 1-800-566-1467 (don't forget the time difference though!).

While you're at it, ask for a TFCK catalogue as well - 34 pages there!

By the way, with reference to sporran straps and belt loops: when I started wearing the kilt back in 1950, I was advised NOT to feed the sporran strap through the kilt's belt loops - they were for the belt. That is how I have worn the sporran ever since. In those early days of my new kilting experience, I gained most of my 'knowledge' by sending for Highland Dress catalogues from every known kiltmaker - and carefully studying the photographs. I do not recall ever seeing anything to make me think I was wearing the sporran strap incorrectly! In any case, if the strap is lying free immediately below the belt, the sporran becomes so easily moved to one side or the other - through the loops and the strap's buckle gets caught in them preventing repositioning of the sporran!

**KiltedKnight** · 7th June 06, 07:48 PM

Originally Posted by Hamish

There are no rules! There are opinions, however. One: please never wear a belt if you are wearing a waistcoat/vest. Two: please don't wear a dress-belt when dressed casually. Three: always ensure the colour of your belt is the same as that of your sporran and footwear (ie: black with black, or brown with brown). Also, if possible, try to match the buckle of your belt with the kilt-pin - although this is often difficult to manage!

Now Hamish, first you tell the gentleman that there are no rules and then you make a statement that sounds like a rule exists. You stated; "Also, if possible, try to match the buckle of your belt with the kilt pin"...? Who said there was any rule requiring a kilt pin? I haven't worn a kilt pin in over a decade and I probably never will again, just don't care for them. I own a few of them and some of them have dust from the Mount St. Helens eruption on them, that's how long since they've been moved...lol

Chris.

**James** · 7th June 06, 09:05 PM

Some kilts have both sporran and belt loops.

For day to day wear they are not of necessity relevant, but do remember that the kilt was and is on occasion worn with such things as a dirk, further i a belt is worn, it should be level with the top of the kilt all round.

Anything else just looks sloppy.

The belt loops ensure that the belt stays in the right position, and there is no chance, of it slipping-being pulled down by the weight of the dirk.

Think here the little metal attachments at the waist of a dress uniform, so ones belt etc remains level all round and in the correct position: and is not dragged down by the weight of say a sword.

In the end the belt loops are a part of the kilt, and necessary: that does not say the wearer must use them: but certainly they should be there on a decent kilt.

James

**Robin** · 8th June 06, 02:21 AM

I don't use the belt loops anymore...no need for them and they look odd. I sometimes put the sporran strap through them, but there's no need for it also.

Do as you please...nobody would say you do something wrong either way

**arrogcow** · 8th June 06, 06:29 AM

While there is no "need" for the belt loops in a perfectally tailored kilt, some of us go up and down a bit in weight on a regular basis. When I'm at my smallest, my tank has the tendency to slip down a little if I'm not wearing a belt at all, and will slip out of the belt if not through the loops.

Adam