Waistcoat and belt

[svc40bt]

I figured we had beat the hose topic to death lately so I would start a new topic to go to town on. I have been admiring all the waistcoats showing up on here. Have had no luck finding one to fit me. I am considering making one myself.

Anyway, my question is is there any style I could make that you fine folks think would work with a belt? Given the small difference between my waist and hip measurements a stout belt really is necessary to keep the kilt up. I was thinking one of the straight bottomed ones.

Let the contrary opinions begin.

[Panache]

If you need a belt to keep your kilt up to where you want it might I suggest that you use braces instead?

This is the right option with a waistcoat and trousers and I see no reason why it wouldn't be the right option with a kilt.

Cheers

Jamie

[svc40bt]

I considered braces but where do the front buttons go? I only have tabbed braces from when I wore a suit to work everyday, not to mention I wouldn't want to risk damaging the kilt fabric with the clamp on type.

[piperdbh]

Thanks for the new opportunity for controversy!
I wonder if some sort of strap-and-button arrangement could be installed to the bottom of the waistcoat which would fasten to a corresponding holder attached to the kilt? For instance, buttons could be sewn to the inside of the top of the kilt, near the first and last pleats so as to not pull on the aprons, and straps with buttonholes could be sewn to the inside bottom of the waistcoat/vest, and the wearer could then attach the two, thereby holding the waistcoat down and the kilt up at the same time. These appliances would not be seen, and if done right, I believe it might solve a lot of people's problems. This system could also be used for pants/trousers/britches, as well, attaching to the buttons that some pants already have for suspenders/braces.
If anybody patents this system, I want half the royalties.

[svc40bt]

Thanks for the new opportunity for controversy!
I wonder if some sort of strap-and-button arrangement could be installed to the bottom of the waistcoat which would fasten to a corresponding holder attached to the kilt? For instance, buttons could be sewn to the inside of the top of the kilt, near the first and last pleats so as to not pull on the aprons, and straps with buttonholes could be sewn to the inside bottom of the waistcoat/vest, and the wearer could then attach the two, thereby holding the waistcoat down and the kilt up at the same time. These appliances would not be seen, and if done right, I believe it might solve a lot of people's problems. This system could also be used for pants/trousers/britches, as well, attaching to the buttons that some pants already have for suspenders/braces.
If anybody patents this system, I want half the royalties.

Make it a 'load bearing vest'.

Now that I think of it, someone mentioned that the waistcoats for white tie had some similar system to ensure the waistband of the trousers was not exposed.

[Zardoz]

Since 'traditionally' the waistcoat would cover the same area of the kilt that a belt would, just wear a belt under it. Something smaller, plain and unobtrusive, not a big ol' kilt belt. A cloth military style trouser web belt comes to mind.

[Wompet]

Make it a 'load bearing vest'.

Now that I think of it, someone mentioned that the waistcoats for white tie had some similar system to ensure the waistband of the trousers was not exposed.

If I remember right, historical boys' kilts have been mentioned having similar systems - waistcoats buttoned to kilts. There were pictures in at least one thread on the subject. And it has been mentioned that some older MoD kilts had buttons for braces. I don't remember if there were pictures or not.

I fall in the waistcoat/no belt camp - if it were me, I would follow Macmillan of Rathdown's directions for adding buttons to the kilt.

[McMurdo]

In my opinion anyway, a belt should never be worn with a waistcoat, if your kilt does not fit properly I'd suggest a better fitting kilt.

[svc40bt]

Oh, the kilt fits quite well. Rocky does fine work. Unfortunately, my shape is the problem, specifically the lack of hips/posterior and the excess of abdomen. I have the same difficulty with trousers. Wear a stout 1 3/4 inch belt with them, and still find myself hiking them up from time to time. Perhaps if I lose another 50 lbs it would solve it.

[Carolina Kiltman]

I would still go with the braces (suspenders). There is a type that fastens on the side only.

I agree that the clips could damage the kilt, so I would suggest sewing a tab on the inside (catching the hair canvas interlining) and clip the braces to them.

I have used them for years with work clothing, and find them much more comfortable than the usual "fore and aft" type.

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