Quote Originally Posted by M. A. C. Newsome View Post
If you want to know why it is there in the first place, read my blog post on it:
http://blog.albanach.org/2005/08/why...lt-straps.html
Excellent article. I've, however, been under the impression that pins were used on "untailored" kilts as late as the past century as supplied to ordinary soldiers and co-existed with straps on more elaborate, finer quality tailored kilts.

After reading your article the question to ask is: Why do civilian kilts, for the most part, adopt lower (and lower) rises?

I usually reccomend taking those suckers off!
I think kilts look a bit off without them. Its part of the "look". Even casual kilted garments (like Kinloch Anderson's Breacan where the waist line is even lower) or women's kilted skirts (also low waist) have them. Its part of the language. Kilts don't need to have 3 straps, nor be made of tartan cloth, nor even be flat in the front but its the design that is, for the most part, currently expected.