Belt Question

[SumoKilt]

Great advice all the way around....

Will we see you at any of the games this year?

Josh

(Olympia)

[Pleater]

The answer is, it all depends - on some of my kilts the belt loops are at different heights - on the kilt I'm wearing at the moment the back loops extend above the waistline and the front ones are 'as normal' - I need to shape the waistline of kilts by an inch and this was my first kilt.

It had a belt but no belt loops at first, however, when I'd had to go back and pull it off a bush twice, it got the loops. Safety pins were just not 'man' enough out in the wild back garden here.

If the kilt extends above your narrowest level all way round and is self supporting then a belt should stay put, and so should the kilt underneath it with no need of loops.

I susupect that most garments distort to some extent at the waist, it is just not obvious, though belts often take on a distinct curve or twist after a time. The wide belts worn with kilts would tend to resist the deformation more than an ordinary narrow belt - putting strain on the loops or even on the body. If I wear a belt 'low slung' I get a back ache which is instantly eased by lifting the belt half an inch.

[Irish in Tacoma]

Will we see you at any of the games this year?

Yes, I'll be at the Pacific NW Games for sure, don't know if I'll make any others.

Mike

[Hamish]

Although I fully appreciate the comments of my kilted brethren, especially where 'loopless' kilts are concerned, I have to say that the only kilt among my 59 that does not have belt loops is the superb box-pleated one from Matt. Sometimes I'll wear a belt through the loops of the others - sometimes I'll wear it outside the loops. No two kilts are the same, in the same way that no two kilt wearers are identically shaped. Frankly, I've never been aware of belts pulling on those loops but, I imagine, that when they do, it is probably down to the differences in our physiques rather than our belts, loops or kilts.

No matter what, I like to wear a belt on my kilt because I simply do not think the 'look' is right without one - especially on traditional kilts with the rise. A belt sorts out the proportions. The only occasion when I forgo the belt is when wearing my Prince Charlie.

[Barb T]

Loops on traditional kilts started out as sporran loops, actually (to keep sporrans from sliding down on someone without much of a kiester, I guess), and were much smaller than the loops put on many kilts today. As Matt said, trad kilts didn't have belt loops. There's no need for belt loops, and I don't put them on any of the kilts I make unless someone specifically asks for them.

As Iolaus said, wearing a belt through loops can distort a kilt. The next time you go to a Highland gathering, surreptitiously check out kilts with belts through loops that look like they've been worn awhile (many band kilts are like this). The bottom edge of these kilt are commonly not nice and straight - they hike up directly below the belt loops. Ugh.

Barb

[Blu (Ontario)]

Personally, I've never had a problem with the belt loops. And I've never really questioned whether or not they were necessary. I just assumed that since the scottish kiltmakers put them on, they were to be used. Although where kilts are concerned, nothing surprises me any more. Like the sporran issue, I'll put beltloops in the "optional" category.

.

[Hamish]

..........surreptitiously check out kilts with belts through loops that look like they've been worn awhile (many band kilts are like this). The bottom edge of these kilt are commonly not nice and straight - they hike up directly below the belt loops. Ugh.

Barb

Well, Barb! In all the almost sixty years of my kilt wearing (and observing) I have never seen this effect, but then, since we do not have pipe bands in this part of the world, I have probably seen one live no more than three or four times in my entire lifetime! ;)

[GlassMan]

Personally, I've never had a problem with the belt loops. And I've never really questioned whether or not they were necessary. I just assumed that since the scottish kiltmakers put them on, they were to be used. Although where kilts are concerned, nothing surprises me any more. Like the sporran issue, I'll put beltloops in the "optional" category.

.

I usually just use my beltloops for my sporran straps. I usually put the belt over top of the loops. If I try to put both through the straps it is a bit of a tight fit and it causes one to press uncomfortable into my back. I'm not sure why I chose to put the straps into the loops instead of the belt though.