Kilt belt, does it interfere with kilt straps?

[tpa]

The whole idea of a "kilt belt" worn through the loops to hold up a kilt seems to be rather recent, and my impression (talking to some kiltmakers on both sides of the Atlantic) is that it's always been more of an American thing (Scottish kiltmakers telling me that they put loops on kilts, per order, from American customers). This impression could well be wrong, given my small sample size.

If the loops on a kilt were for a waist belt and intended to support the kilt they wouldn't just be on the back! There would have to be loops on the front also, in fact going all around, like on trousers. It's obvious from the number and placement of loops that they're for the sporran strap.

Both my Scottish made woollen kilts have 2 loops, one at either side and neither kilt was destined for the American market. If the loops were primarily for sporran straps, they would not need to be 2" wide. They certainly can contain sporran straps, yet is is quite unnecessary to feed sporran straps through loops. I never do and the sporrans do not fall off. In fact, especially with chains, it is much easier to move the sporran to one side, if need be, if not fed through loops. When I wear a belt, I do usually feed it through the loops to prevent it accidently riding up above the kilt, however it is only worn to simplify the carriage of a phone pouch, knife, camera, tape measure or other required item, not to support the kilt.