How important is a belt?

[Elf]

A related question somewhat off the intent of the original post.

I've read all the suggestions of when to wear a belt, type of buckle, and personal choices, and I think I even read a comment that the belt is not supposed to go through the loops. My question is why doesn't the belt go through the loops? Or did I misread something?

Whether with a kilt or with trousers, historically the belt was for suspending gear; not for holding the garment up.

[DrCelt]

It's not what the loops are for, and of course some kilts don't even have them. I generally will wear a belt if I have a shirt tucked in; if not, I don't. If you don't have something covering the top of the kilt where the belt goes, it just looks bad to not have one on, IMO; sort of looks like you're wearing a plaid towel. Whether I have a belt on or not, I always wear a sporran.