How important is a belt?

[Nylo]

I personally dont care for a belt with a Charley and Argyll. For me it just fights the sporran too much. I like a clean look with clean lines. Though if one is needed then there is not much you can do. For a casual look with a tuck-in, or a polo belts are fine.

My kilt maven Prince Charley himself. His kit is alway top-draw. Between his tailor, himself, and few of the Royal women folk he is always in top kilt form.

My two cents,
Nylo

[artificer]

The only time I ever wear a kilt belt is if I'm going casual and tucked in (think polo, tucked). Any other time, your waistcoat or sweater will cover the area taken up by the belt anyway.

The only exception would be if you're wearing a Montrose or similar doublet where the belt is worn on OVER the coatee.

Skip it, unless you love the look, IMO.

[Matty Ross]

HOWEVER some of us do not have the advantage of a slim body shape. If I don't wear a belt my kilt will fall off.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

HOWEVER some of us do not have the advantage of a slim body shape. If I don't wear a belt my kilt will fall off.

Certainly we all have different body types and you need to take that into account. But I will point out that Tom Mungall in my previously posted image is no string bean. :-)

I know many men of substance who do just fine with no belt, so long as their kilt is well fitting.

[Father Bill]

Certainly we all have different body types and you need to take that into account. But I will point out that Tom Mungall in my previously posted image is no string bean. :-)

I know many men of substance who do just fine with no belt, so long as their kilt is well fitting.

Less a matter of size than of relative proportions. My gut is bigger than my hips which are bigger than my butt. Suck in the gut, the kilt falls off. I'll wear a belt until I get around to attaching suspender buttons and get a nice pair of suspenders.

[Semiomniscient]

Certainly we all have different body types and you need to take that into account. But I will point out that Tom Mungall in my previously posted image is no string bean. :-)

I know many men of substance who do just fine with no belt, so long as their kilt is well fitting.

Matt, I'll let Dad know. ;-) lol

To the OP,
I personally prefer wearing a vest instead of a belt and rarely wear one at all. I'm in the picture between Matt and my dad, Tom. I picked up that vest/waistcoat from a thrift store for about $3 US. I hear you can go to a uniform store and grab a plain black one like many pipers in pipe bands wear.

For those of you gents who have trouble keeping your kilt up without a belt, try wearing a vest/waistcoat with suspenders/braces underneath.

[English Bloke]

If you're after a well constructed and good value, custom made, plain brown 2" kilt belt with a brass prong type buckle (phew!)
try this bloke on eBay UK. He does ship to the States and he does have other 2" options.


They look like this when worn.

The sporran in the photo above is a brown leather cargo sporran from Stillwater Kilts.
It's the best and most versatile day sporran I have and suitable for all daytime occasions. I whole-heartedly recommend them too. Far better and more useful than a semi-dress sporran of any description.
Obviously if you're attending a wedding, don't follow my lead on shirt and jacket choices.

The Stillwater brown belt with brass plate buckle works nicely with the cargo sporran too (in my "Johnny come lately" opinion ).


Not the same supplier but very similar style of belt and buckle.

I'd also suggest if you opt for wearing a waistcoat (vest), skip the belt.

[Carolina Kiltman]

I can only second strongly the point that the belt keepers on the back of the Kilt are sporran straps, at a recent games, I saw a sad case of a torn kilt, as a result of putting the belt through those loops!

I do wear a belt, but onlt because I think the kilt looks incomplete without it. But only when I'n not wearing a waistcoat. It is, however tottaly a natter personal taste

[Elf]

HOWEVER some of us do not have the advantage of a slim body shape. If I don't wear a belt my kilt will fall off.

I do not own a formal kilt belt with plate but have a couple informal wide belts. I'm not quite as thin as I once was, but still I find that knocking a couple inches off the top of the kilt gives me better proportions. (as an aside, I find that kilts adapt better to a variety of men's proportions than do trousers.)

As a result, I usually wear a belt when without a waistcoat despite the annoyance of an automobile seat knocking it out of positon. O the tempation to use belt loops, but as noted, I well understand the ill consequenses of using the sporran strap loops for a belt.

[Riverkilt]

Started out with kilt belts - then stopped, no need with kilt straps. Much more comfy without a belt.