Kilt Question for the 'Rabble'

[Peter Crowe]

I don't think it's actually a requirement with other types of clothing either, especially the military

The Royal Air Force wear black shoes, brown leather gloves for example. I think the Army regiments do similar and I'm not aware of any code of dress that says otherwise

I'm not sure about the RN but most Army officers with the exceptions Jock mentioned, [although I seem to remember Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) TA officers wearing a brown Sam Browne with two shoulder straps from my time in the cadets, unlike the black cartridge box belt worn by Gurkha and English rifle regiments] in No.2 dress, and RAF officers in No.1 dress wear brown gloves.

Although there are no 'commissioned' officers as such in the Police, uniformed Policemen and Policewomen in Scotland all wear black shoes or boots, however 'officers' of the rank of Police Constable or Police Sergeant (equivalent to enlisted ranks in the armed forces) wear black gloves, while Inspectors and above (equivalent to commissioned ranks) wear brown gloves.

[English Bloke]

Sorry Jock. I disagree with you slightly.

I don't argue with the ethos that it matters not the colour of the kilt straps but for those among us who have a number of Kilts, part of the enjoyment is not just in the wearing but in the having.

If you are going to commission a kilt from scratch and have the fabric woven to your specific requirement, then select the best Kilt maker you can afford, then discuss the build of the kilt and the pleating options et al et al, I can fully get the need to consider straps. You are not just going to be enjoying that Kilt while it's being worn, you are going to be enjoying it while it's hanging up too and if you've considered everything bar the tatty straps it could dampen the pleasure of ownership...

"See that? I did that. I made that happen. That's mine that is. It's unique that Kilt. There's not another one like it in the world... And it's MINE!... No, forget the other twenty. That one right there, that's the one!"

I own a Kilt (not custom made, bought 2nd hand) which I really like and really enjoy wearing. It is a high quality heavy-weight wool and is beautifully constructed but it has really cheap, thin leather straps and pressed metal buckles (possibly replacements).

This isn't an issue when I have it on as they do the job and you can't see them because they are either covered by jacket, weskit or belt. But I know they are there and that they are not to the same quality standard as the rest of the garment.

This wrankles me a bit and were I to consider replacing them for better I would obviously deliberate on what straps / buckles to replace them. As I see it, this is no different to considering all things including straps, on first commission.

eg.

should I have these straight forward and functional jobbies? (these as illustrated, are not tatty and cheap by the way, just plainly functional)

picture from kiltswihae.co.uk

or should I get these dancing beauties?... (ooooh yeah!)

picture from rkilts.com

You are only going to get the Kilt made once... Do you see what I mean? I don't think it's agony or fussing over the minutiae. I think it's all part of the ecstasy of planning the perfect Kilt. And after all, as the purchaser, you're paying for it so you want it to be right...

[Jock Scot]

Do you know EB I have only worn bespoke kilts and never once have I even considered what colour the leather straps are, or discussed them with the kilt maker. I have to confess that I have just taken a peek at the straps on my present kilt and can report that both of them are black! The one thing is for sure, I would never consider tooled leather straps as they smack of unnecessary embellishment, as to the colour, well black seems fine to me.

[BoldHighlander]

picture from rkilts.com

Unnecessary embellishment or not, I like them!

[English Bloke]

Do you know EB I have only worn bespoke kilts and never once have I even considered what colour the leather straps are, or discussed them with the kilt maker. I have to confess that I have just taken a peek at the straps on my present kilt and can report that both of them are black! The one thing is for sure, I would never consider tooled leather straps as they smack of unnecessary embellishment, as to the colour, well black seems fine to me.

I thought you would probably think that way and I imagine most Highlanders and Scots generally, would be the same. All the straps on my Kilts are black too so I'm a fine one to talk but even so, unnecessary embellishment it may be but I can see and understand the attraction. I like bells and whistles... Horses for courses I guess. No offence intended.

We still need to get together for that pint sometime by the way.

[BoldHighlander]

We still need to get together for that pint sometime by the way.

Wish I could join you both!
Hoist one for me when you do!

[Jock Scot]

I thought you would probably think that way and I imagine most Highlanders and Scots generally, would be the same. All the straps on my Kilts are black too so I'm a fine one to talk but even so, unnecessary embellishment it may be but I can see and understand the attraction. I like bells and whistles... Horses for courses I guess. No offence intended.

We still need to get together for that pint sometime by the way.

Good lord, no offence was taken my dear chap! Yes I look foreward to the day that we bump into each other.

[creagdhubh]

Wish I could join you both!
Hoist one for me when you do!

Likewise!!!

[creagdhubh]

Sorry Jock. I disagree with you slightly.

I don't argue with the ethos that it matters not the colour of the kilt straps but for those among us who have a number of Kilts, part of the enjoyment is not just in the wearing but in the having.

If you are going to commission a kilt from scratch and have the fabric woven to your specific requirement, then select the best Kilt maker you can afford, then discuss the build of the kilt and the pleating options et al et al, I can fully get the need to consider straps. You are not just going to be enjoying that Kilt while it's being worn, you are going to be enjoying it while it's hanging up too and if you've considered everything bar the tatty straps it could dampen the pleasure of ownership...

"See that? I did that. I made that happen. That's mine that is. It's unique that Kilt. There's not another one like it in the world... And it's MINE!... No, forget the other twenty. That one right there, that's the one!"

I own a Kilt (not custom made, bought 2nd hand) which I really like and really enjoy wearing. It is a high quality heavy-weight wool and is beautifully constructed but it has really cheap, thin leather straps and pressed metal buckles (possibly replacements).

This isn't an issue when I have it on as they do the job and you can't see them because they are either covered by jacket, weskit or belt. But I know they are there and that they are not to the same quality standard as the rest of the garment.

This wrankles me a bit and were I to consider replacing them for better I would obviously deliberate on what straps / buckles to replace them. As I see it, this is no different to considering all things including straps, on first commission.

eg.

should I have these straight forward and functional jobbies? (these as illustrated, are not tatty and cheap by the way, just plainly functional)

picture from kiltswihae.co.uk

or should I get these dancing beauties?... (ooooh yeah!)

picture from rkilts.com

You are only going to get the Kilt made once... Do you see what I mean? I don't think it's agony or fussing over the minutiae. I think it's all part of the ecstasy of planning the perfect Kilt. And after all, as the purchaser, you're paying for it so you want it to be right...

Well put, John! And the tooled leather straps are indeed interesting to me, but for my tastes, they are a wee bit much. Good on ya for desiring to possibly go that route - "to each is own," right?!

Cheers,