2 straps or 3 weigh in men! (and women)

[ChattanCat]

Well, since you asked, I prefer two straps. Actually, I also prefer that the left hip strap be set up like Matt Newsome does his---with the buckle INSIDE and no hole cut through the material. YMMV.

For traditional kilts, the belt hole is not cut in the material, but is actually between two pleats. The pleats are just not sewn by the belt hole.

As I understand it, the deep pleat helps in movement (and maybe even in modesty when you sit) but what the point of having it, if you're going to restrict its movement with a belt?

The deep pleat is traditionally sewn from the fell to the top of the kilt. Therefore, haveing the extra belt and buckle do not add or subtract from the functionality of the deep pleat.

The engineer in me says that the only thing the extra buckle does is reduce the amount the front apron can move relative to the under apron. With a one belt kilt the front apron will pivot around the waist belt. With two belts, the front apron will pivot around the hip belt. So the cosined of the angle will be less for the two belt kilt (amount of travel at the selvage).

[JimB]

The deep pleat is traditionally sewn from the fell to the top of the kilt. Therefore, haveing the extra belt and buckle do not add or subtract from the functionality of the deep pleat.

You're right of course. Not doing belts on my kilts I had a hard time visualising it. It would in fact hinder the movement of the upper apron with the under apron which would in effect tend to cinch the kilt across that area unnaturally. Other than "tradition" or maybe just liking that look, I just don't get it.

Personally, I think the only reason Scots designed kilts with belts in the first place is that they didn't know about Velcro!

[Retro Red]

Mi dos centavos...

I'm in the 2 strap camp - 1 on either side. If I get a kilt with 3 straps (like my Royal Regiment of Scotland, or SWKs), I remove the extraneous 3rd strap.

Having said that, I can understand berserkbishop's decision to go with the 3rd strap. I guess he just wants to be seen as a more "strapping" young man.

.

[slohairt]

Two straps only for me, as well. I find the third strap and buckle catches on my sporran strap.

[Jack Daw]

It makes no difference. I have kilts with either. I'd go with one strap on both sides. It saves your grandmum's work and your future effort - why buckle 3 when 2 will do.

[Joe Gondek]

I have two kilts, one with 1 and the other with 2 straps on the right side
I prefer having only one strap and plan on removing the extra strap on the other kilt as it serves no purpose.

[berserkbishop]

Thanks once again for all the replies, it really did help me to see both sides of this coin. I am going to go with 3 straps because I like it that way. I do one day plan to order a Newsome, and that will be my foray into 2 strap kilt land. Besides, if I dont like the 3rd, it can come off fairly easily correct?

[Chef]

Besides, if I dont like the 3rd, it can come off fairly easily correct?

Yes you should be able to remove it with no problem. On the other hand you could try it with 2 straps and add the 3rd if you don't like it.

I don't have a problem with the 3rd strap pulling but I agree it isn't necessary. However I do prefer the look of the three buckles.

[Standard]

To me the look of the second buckle on the right seems to 'finish' the look of the kilt, but I'll defer to those with more experience at wearing the kilt for long periods than I have at this time.