I find that I need to loosen my belt as the day goes on, or if I sit down - I am thinner standing up - the effect of gravity and old age I can only assume.

I make my kilts with only belt loops and no fasteners.

I put two loops at the back, one on the last pleat each side and one on the end of the apron.

Some kilts now require a safety pin to hold the under apron securely, or rather they need to be made smaller.

Some of my kilts are on their third remake as I have lost 12 inches off my waist, in 16 months.

If I used buttons I would need to make a strong fixing point on a waistband, and then perhaps put on three dofferent loops so as to be able to change the waist size as required.

I supose that a garment which might outlast the wearer would be more convenient with straps and buckles so as to make it useful to one man for many years, and more likely to fit whoever inherited it.