Kilt Belt (question)

[Tenmiles]

Yeah... from all I'd read, I knew deep down that the belt wasn't meant to help secure the kilt, but I was just wondering, since the recent arrival of my first "semi-tank", I realized that (against my wife's advice), I ordered a waist measurement probably an inch bigger than I should have done,
so right out of the box, I had to strap the kilt on using a hole closer to the inside end than standard (which is theoretically the middle hole on the strap), and am a little concerned about further weight loss (which would otherwise be a good thing) leaving the kilt much looser than I'd like.
I was thinking a belt might be a potential solution to that concern.

[Father Bill]

Belt won't help much, but you can make it smaller by moving the strap on one side and the buckle on the other. There are several threads here about how to do that. Use the search function.

[Elf]

I have a nice heavy Dirk Belt and a couple cool-looking Edwardian buckles and a dirk too... however I rarely wear that stuff.

In spite of my "figure" resembling a big potato I've never had any trouble with my kilts staying put.

Dirk Belts were never intended to support the kilt- my theory is that Americans (and others) use the belt for that purpose by false analogy with pants ("pants need a belt to hold them up, so a kilt must be like that too").

Ditto shoving the Dirk Belt through the kilt's loops (if the kilt has them- mine don't).

Considering pants historically, they too did not use a belt to hold them up. Braces/suspenders did that. The belt was used to hold a knife, pouch, or other tools. Considering this, the dirk belt is right in line with past general practice. The difference is in modern practice and what most of us grew up thinking the norm. I find there is a bit of learned faith that the belt is not necessary. This takes time and practice.

Quite aside from this, I usually wear a belt to adjust the visual proportions of the kilt. (I have deficient girth). I am considering moving my sporran strap loops so they do not interfere. On other men, I notice many sporran straps riding below the belt. Just one solution: your practice may vary.

[Dale-of-Cedars]

If you can get the straps moved great, but on 2 of my 3 kilts I'm at maximum 'cinch' on the straps and it isn't quite enough, and in the long term I'm not absolutely sure which direction my waistline is headed.
So if you need a belt to help keep the kilt up, wear one; end of story. Practicality rules...

[woodysjames]

If you can get the straps moved great, but on 2 of my 3 kilts I'm at maximum 'cinch' on the straps and it isn't quite enough, and in the long term I'm not absolutely sure which direction my waistline is headed.
So if you need a belt to help keep the kilt up, wear one; end of story. Practicality rules...

I'm in the same boat. My kilt straps are maxed, and I could use another inch or two tighter. The belt does help hold it up. At the risk of sounding like a woman, on a "fat day" the kilt fits better. If I've been good about my diet and getting more exercise, the kilt is a bit loose. It's also why I haven't purchased a more expensive kilt yet. My Sport Kilt can adjust a little with the velcro. I want a nice kilt, but since it is made specific to your size, I'm either going to stay where I'm at or get a little smaller...and, I don't have the money to drop on something expensive that will end up being too big in 3 months.

Maybe I should just go with a great kilt...the whole 9 yards. Then, I could gain or lose waist and I'd still have enough to work with.

[Thekiltedmohawk]

Okay so.. if the kilt bet isn't go through the straps on the kilt.. Then why did Rocky of USAK used his belts to go through the belt straps on his kilts in his educational video? What am I missing?

[Father Bill]

Difference of opinion. My observation is that over time, it can cause the tartan to distort.

[Dale-of-Cedars]

Okay so.. if the kilt bet isn't go through the straps on the kilt.. Then why did Rocky of USAK used his belts to go through the belt straps on his kilts in his educational video? What am I missing?

I use the belt loops on mine otherwise the belt rides up at the back when I'm seated. Others mileage may vary...

[Thekiltedmohawk]

Difference of opinion. My observation is that over time, it can cause the tartan to distort.

Is that for the wool kilts only, or it applies to the PV kilts too?

[Taskr]

Here's two things said to me when I received my first kilt (tank) so simply take them as comment. Wear a belt to man-it-up a bit when that feels appropriate and use the belt loops for the sporran belt, unless the waist belt rides up more often that not then put the belt through.