Kilt Belt (question)

[Tenmiles]

So, most pictures I see of a kilt belt being worn show it just about at the top of the kilt.



However, most kilt belts I see are fairly heavy-duty-looking affairs, and it seems to me that if it's worn right at the top, it has to go over the top kilt straps/buckles, which seems like it would be a bit uncomfortable.

Is this correct?
Or would someone wear the belt just beneath the top kilt strap/buckle?

(if that were the case, then the belt would be a couple inches below the top line of the kilt, and I don't seem to see that in pictures...)


How do you manage this? Do you just wear the belt "loose" enough so that it doesn't press the kilt buckles into your sides uncomfortably?

If so, does it mean that the kilt belt doesn't really do much to hold the kilt itself tightly to you? Is it purely for looks?

[Richrail]

The belt is mainly for looks. The kilt straps hold your kilt on.

[Father Bill]

Technically, it's a "dirk belt" so with no dirk... you don't need one! Most of us wear our sporrans and then if we're wearing a dirk belt, we just strap it on over top of everything else.

[Dughlas mor]

Yes, it does go right over the straps and buckles, and no, it is not uncomfortable.

[Liam]

The simple answer is "yes", it goes over the buckles/straps. While what the Padre says is correct, the belt when not wearing a waist coat provides a separation between the kilt and the shirt, in the same way a cummerbund does.

[OC Richard]

I have a nice heavy Dirk Belt and a couple cool-looking Edwardian buckles and a dirk too... however I rarely wear that stuff.

In spite of my "figure" resembling a big potato I've never had any trouble with my kilts staying put.

Dirk Belts were never intended to support the kilt- my theory is that Americans (and others) use the belt for that purpose by false analogy with pants ("pants need a belt to hold them up, so a kilt must be like that too").

Ditto shoving the Dirk Belt through the kilt's loops (if the kilt has them- mine don't).

[Liam]

With my "potato" shaped figure, I use sporran hangers instead of a sporran belt and the kilt belt is necessary.

[Tenmiles]

Thanks for the clarification!

[Elf]

I have a nice heavy Dirk Belt and a couple cool-looking Edwardian buckles and a dirk too... however I rarely wear that stuff.

In spite of my "figure" resembling a big potato I've never had any trouble with my kilts staying put.

Dirk Belts were never intended to support the kilt- my theory is that Americans (and others) use the belt for that purpose by false analogy with pants ("pants need a belt to hold them up, so a kilt must be like that too").

Ditto shoving the Dirk Belt through the kilt's loops (if the kilt has them- mine don't).

Considering pants historically, they too did not use a belt to hold them up. Braces/suspenders did that. The belt was used to hold a knife, pouch, or other tools. Considering this, the dirk belt is right in line with past general practice. The difference is in modern practice and what most of us grew up thinking the norm. I find there is a bit of learned faith that the belt is not necessary. This takes time and practice.

Quite aside from this, I usually wear a belt to adjust the visual proportions of the kilt. (I have deficient girth). I am considering moving my sporran strap loops so they do not interfere. On other men, I notice many sporran straps riding below the belt. Just one solution: your practice may vary.

[Dale-of-Cedars]

If you can get the straps moved great, but on 2 of my 3 kilts I'm at maximum 'cinch' on the straps and it isn't quite enough, and in the long term I'm not absolutely sure which direction my waistline is headed.
So if you need a belt to help keep the kilt up, wear one; end of story. Practicality rules...