Sporran Loops

**The Wizard of BC** · 23rd October 06, 12:44 AM

When I looked at the photos Cinnabar has posted of his nice new Canadian Casual Kilt I made a comment that I thought that if he took the belt out of the sporran loops his kilt would look better and not have an unsightly pucker in the back.

Some seem to have taken me to task over that comment saying that there is no consensus only opinion on the subject and that "Barb and others say neither the belt or the sporran go through."

There are two people on this forum whom I regard with the utmost respect. One is Dr. Barb Tewksbury, author of "The Art of Kiltmaking". The other is Mr. Matt Newsome, Curator of the Scottish Tartan Museum, and author of "Matt Newsomes patented advice for first time kiltwearers".
I think both can be taken as experts on kilt making and wearing so I learn from them.

On page 104 of "The Art of Kiltmaking" Barb Tewksbury says, and I quote;

"Sporran loops are not belt loops. The belt is decorative and does not need belt loops. Many men put their kilt belts though the sporran loops thinking that they are, in fact, belt loops. Doing so eventually distorts the waistline region of the kilt, causing the kilt hem to pull up directly below the loops and to no longer hold a straight hemline.
Despite this, some men insist on loops big enough to put their belts through. If an explanation of the consequences doesn't dissuade them, just smile and sew the loops on."

On the 15th of July of this year Matt Newsome published on his website an article entitled " How to Wear the Kilt -- literally"

Here is a quote from that article;
"It is the straps and buckles that will keep a properly fitted kilt up, not the belt, which is purely decoration."

And further down he states;
"So (again, Thompson being an example) say that since these belt loops are a new addition, made originally for the sporran strap (true) and therefore should not be used for the belt. So they say to wear your belt on top of the belt loops."

Now I agree, no one will come to your door and demand that you take your belt out of your loops. They won't rip your kilt off and burn it on your lawn if you wish to use the loops for your belt.

I do contend though that if Cinnabar were to take the belt out of the loops and re-take the back shot of his new kilt he would see much nicer laying pleats.

This topic has been discussed before. Many times. But it seems that because MUGs need a belt to hold them up and many of our newer members see two loops on the back of the Traditional Style Kilt they are wearing for the first time I think this issue needed to be brought to the fore once more.

**Robin** · 23rd October 06, 02:42 AM

Good post! Thanks Steve!

When I received my 1st kilt...I was also tricked by the loops.
I didn't had the knowledge and used them as belt loops, until Barb and Matt pointed out the above.
Indeed the hang of the pleats is nicer when you don't use them as belt loops and since I don't use them as sporran loops either...they're useless.
When I order a kilt...I ask for a kilt without the be...uhh...spo...errr...loops

Great forum we have!

**mddock58** · 23rd October 06, 05:52 AM

I agree, but as you know, there are many kiltmakers that not only show that they have "belt loops", but that they will fit a large kilt belt!

Most of us are so used to putting a belt through the loops that we don't think twice about it.

I have used the loops for my belt at times, because my belt kept riding up in the back, yes, I probably was wearing it a notch too tight, but that's another story.

I have no problems with the sporran falling off my hips, and the belt will stay fine normally, so most of the time the belt loops are there only to satisfy those of us that feel they "need" to be there.

Of course on many of the contemporary kilts, the loops are designed to have a belt, no problem there!

**McClef** · 23rd October 06, 05:58 AM

I must be a fashion heretic as I like both my sporran and my belt through the loops!

**arrogcow** · 23rd October 06, 07:56 AM

I admit that I remembered Barb's quote exactly backwards, and she also says that you only put the sporran strap through the loops.

On the other hand look at any pics of our esteemed Hamish. He always has his belt throught the loops and the sporran out of the loops.

His words

Originally Posted by Hamish

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!

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ght=belt+loops for an exhaustive discussion on the subject.

I was going to link the the how to wear a kilt video on youtube as well, but it seems to be gone.
Adam