Thoughts on a different kind of Kilt Belt

[Doc Hudson]

After getting my new Pittsburgh Kilt, I faced a delimna about what belt to use.

I don't have a specifically designed Kilt Belt. At first, I used my regular belt, but the wide belt-loops were so wide, the belt just didn't look right. The only wider belt I have is a mahgany pistol belt (without cartridge loops). The belt is a ranger style gun belt 2 1/2' wide with a 3/4" silver buckle, billet tip, and keeper. It looks pretty good, but that skinny buckle just doesn't look as good as a wider buckle in my opinion.

Here is my idea. I will make a 2 or 2.5" wide ranger style belt with billets for a 1.5" or 1.75" buckle and keeper. I will probably tool the belt with a basketweave or other geometric design. (I can do floral carving, but I don't like the look and only do it for pay. Besides, I don't think a floral carved belt would look very good with a kilt.)

What do y'all think about the idea? Or should I just pony up for a 2.5 or 3" buckle and make a plain 2.5" or 3" belt.

[Magnus Sporrano]

After getting my new Pittsburgh Kilt, I faced a delimna about what belt to use.

I had the same dilemma. My regular kilt belt didn't go with it at all (too thin & too blingy). So I made one.

I went to the fabric store, got a length of 2" wide black nylon webbing (like what they make pistol belts & load straps with) and right next to that at the store they had fastex buckles. Get the "belt" on, adjust the length, cut it leaving a couple of inches spare at each end.

Here is a picture of me with Inaki getting warmed up for a crazy night. I'm the big guy wearing the camo kilt. That's the belt I described. I wanted it to be very low key. No metal.

[billmcc]

Doc H,

I am going to buy a Pittsburgh Kilt in the near future and have been pondering the belt question too.

A traditional kilt belt is usually 2.25 inches wide. I think a belt wider than this would be too wide. The Pittsburgh Kilt website sells belts that are 1.75 inches wide, which looks too narrow to me. A 2 inch belt, like Magnus uses, looks about right to me. In my opinion, a large buckle looks better with a kilt than a smaller one.

Are the belt loops on your Pittsburgh Kilt wide enough to accomdate a 2.5 or 3-inch belt?

I think a belt with a basketweave or celtic design would look good with a solid colored kilt, but would be too busy with a tartan kilt.

[Doc Hudson]

2.5" belts will be no problem, 2.75" would be OK. But a 3" belt would be a tight squeeze.

The pistol belt I used is 2" wide. I'm thinking of making a 2.5" ranger style belt with a 1.5" or 1.75" buckle. I saw a nice 1.5" Masonic buckle recently for $12.95.

BTW Bill, would you be a traveling man?

[billmcc]

BTW Bill, would you be a traveling man?

Doc,

Yes, I am. I was raised in a lodge in Texas in 1989.

[Pittsburgh Kilts]

...
A traditional kilt belt is usually 2.25 inches wide. I think a belt wider than this would be too wide. The Pittsburgh Kilt website sells belts that are 1.75 inches wide, which looks too narrow to me. A 2 inch belt, like Magnus uses, looks about right to me. In my opinion, a large buckle looks better with a kilt than a smaller one.

Are the belt loops on your Pittsburgh Kilt wide enough to accomdate a 2.5 or 3-inch belt?

Hi Billmcc,

I settled on the 1.75 inch size for the belts myself, that's what I like to wear. But I can get the same belt in 2" or 2.25" in you want. Just let me know!

The standard belt loops I do (as Doc noted) will handle a 2.25" belt. If you are planning to use a 2 1/2" or larger belt, just let me know when you order. I can easily make the loops larger, but only if you ask!

Hey Magnus--how come you haven't sent me any pictures? Can I steal that one of you dancing for my website??? There just isn't enough dancing on site right now! :mrgreen:

[Alan H]

I've got a Philbeg from USAK and I just went down to Mervyn's and bought the plainest black belt I could find. It was $15. I bought a nice-looking pewter celtic belt buckle off of e-bay, andother $15. I unstitched the closure on the belt that held on the default buckle it came with, put on the ebay one, stitched it back together again, and I think it looks great if I do say so, myself.

[F16WarBird]

As a new PK owner, I'm using the belt I got from AK when I bought my first kilt last year. It looks great with my 3 color camo.

[billmcc]

Hi Jeff,

In my opinion, a 1.75-inch belt only looks a little narrow because of the size of the belt loops you normally put on your kilts. I think a 1.75-inch or narrower belt would look good if the belt loops were shorter. It's a proportional thing. I recommended a 2-inch belt to Doc because his kilt is already made.

By the way, I plan on ordering a Pittsburgh Kilt in the near future. I live in Florida and need a kilt I can wear during the summer without sweating to death. What material do you recommend for hot weather?

[F16WarBird]

Here's the one I use: