2 VS 3 Straps

[Tobus]

One nice little perk for two straps over three, is that it "folks" it up a bit, and makes it look far less like I'm dressing up as a wedding piper...
It's the same as the difference between tassels or no tassels on your sporran.

The nice thing is, it would take one hell of a fascist kilt cop to cause a fuss over not having the third strap when you DO go formal.

Hmm, it's interesting that you see it that way. I've never really thought of it in terms of looking like a piper or being a more formal kilt with a third strap. I've always just seen it as being par for the course on a traditional kilt, regardless of the kilt's role. But there's no doubt that older traditional kilts have been made both ways.

Looking back through the discussion, I also find it interesting that folks would remove it (or opt not to have it) just because it's superfluous. Heck, the entirety of Highland attire is full of items that are there only for the sake of tradition and not modern practicality. If we're cleaning up our kilt attire to get rid of vestigial components, let's also ditch fringe on the apron, kilt pins, brogueing on shoes, buckles on shoes, gauntlet cuffs on jackets, ribbons/tails on bonnets, sgians dubh, and anything else that's merely decorative or otherwise "no longer needed".

Or, we could just accept that some things have evolved the way they are today due to tradition, and are kinda worth keeping for the sake of tradition, even if they aren't absolutely essential.

To each his own, of course. Me, I like the vestigial third strap. It just looks like a proper kilt with it.

[Nick the DSM]

Just to be clear, the third strap everyone is referring to is the lower one on the right hip, correct??

Maybe it's just me, just it has not bothered me much. However, I might only get two when I finally order an 8rd sometime.

[Downunder Kilt]

I have kilts with 2 and 3 straps. Always keep the 3rd strap (on those that have them) one hole looser than those at the waist, never had any problems. Can't say that that I feel any are more formal, kinda like having nil,1,2 or 3 layer fringe.

[Mikilt]

I only recently discovered the look and feel of two straps rather than three. My apron hangs better and the whole kilt looks sharper. I am in the process of removing the third strap from the other two kilts.

[rondo]

If we're cleaning up our kilt attire to get rid of vestigial components, let's also ditch fringe on the apron Done, kilt pins, brogueing Done on shoes, buckles on shoes Done, gauntlet cuffs on jackets Done, ribbons/tails on bonnets Done, sgians dubh Done, and anything else that's merely decorative or otherwise "no longer needed".

I kept the kilt pin as I feel there needs to be something there although on my casuals [when I get them] I'll probably use a sew on emblem rather than a kilt pin.
As you say though, to each his own.
rondo

[MNlad]

I've always preferred the look of 3 straps vs. 2. With the third strap slightly loose, it hasn't hampered my movements and the apron hangs normally. Then again, I also prefer traditional pockets to patch pockets on a sport coat/suit. It just looks more formal and finished to me.

[MacCathmhaoil]

I grew up on military pipe band kilts so I prefer the look of three. When my new hand stitched 8 yard was being made by our own John Hart / Keltoi I requested a third buckle and a three inch rise. The three inch rise is a compromise, I like a higher rise, my beautiful old ( made in 1958 as was I) velvet Kenmore doublet by Anderson's is a 1/2"- 1" shorter than I would like and 4 inches is to high a rise for a civilian kilt generally. I'm a bit long in the body so I don't look as though I've hiked it up to just under my armpits.

[flyrod6057]

2.....

I have a couple kilts with three, but I only need the two.

[The Wizard of BC]

I began making kilts with only two straps for the kilts we are making for the Canadian Scottish Regiment. I also eliminated the strap hole on the left side, putting the strap and buckle on the inside.
This was because the regimental kilts are kept in stores and issued as needed. Not having the strap hole allows us to re-size a kilt in just a few moments.

We now make almost all our Kilts with 2 straps and the left on the inside. It has saved our customers money if their kilt needs re-sizing and in my opinion allows the kilt to hang much better.

We can keep the full strength of the stabilizer and interfacing intact. No weakness at the strap hole.

Leaving the third strap off has also virtually illuminated any distortion of the outer apron fabric by an owner who tightens the third strap thinking that if it is there, it must have a function.

Some of my older kilts still have three straps and buckles but I have caught myself forgetting to fasten the third strap.

[RockyR]

Hmm, it's interesting that you see it that way. I've never really thought of it in terms of looking like a piper or being a more formal kilt with a third strap. I've always just seen it as being par for the course on a traditional kilt, regardless of the kilt's role. But there's no doubt that older traditional kilts have been made both ways.

Looking back through the discussion, I also find it interesting that folks would remove it (or opt not to have it) just because it's superfluous. Heck, the entirety of Highland attire is full of items that are there only for the sake of tradition and not modern practicality. If we're cleaning up our kilt attire to get rid of vestigial components, let's also ditch fringe on the apron, kilt pins, brogueing on shoes, buckles on shoes, gauntlet cuffs on jackets, ribbons/tails on bonnets, sgians dubh, and anything else that's merely decorative or otherwise "no longer needed".

Or, we could just accept that some things have evolved the way they are today due to tradition, and are kinda worth keeping for the sake of tradition, even if they aren't absolutely essential.

To each his own, of course. Me, I like the vestigial third strap. It just looks like a proper kilt with it.

***. Very well said.