no belt loops on kilt--what to do?

**dredrush** · 31st January 11, 06:49 AM

Hi All,

Got my first kilt, but it does not have belt loops. What should I do?

1. Have my wife add in some belt loops?
2. Wear a belt without using belt loops?

Also, what size belt thickness should be worn?

Thanks,
Don

**Jock Scot** · 31st January 11, 07:05 AM

DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT. Until I joined this website I had no idea that kilts were produced with belt loops and I have been around kilts for all of my life.If it helps to ease your mind, my kilts have not had them. I venture to suggest that most traditional kilts are without them.So its really just a case of some have and some have not, or, what your instructions may be to your kilt maker-------------- should one know about them, that is.

As to belt width, two/two and a half inches is about right.Too thin looks awful.

**MacSpadger** · 31st January 11, 07:13 AM

I am probably a latecomer to kilt wearing compared to Jock Scot, I have only been wearing them since 1976, but I can tell you none of my kilts have had belt loops either. As Jock says, don't worry about it. Your kilt isn't going to fall down.

I usually wear a kilt without a belt anyway, as I wear a waistcoat, (vest to some), and have had no mishap.

**dredrush** · 31st January 11, 07:19 AM

So, if i understand you guys correctly--- a belt is not necessary.

**Jock Scot** · 31st January 11, 07:27 AM

Originally Posted by dredrush

So, if i understand you guys correctly--- a belt is not necessary.

As long as your kilt fits you then a belt is not necessary. If you wear a waistcoat then belts are usually not worn, however some like the look of a belt, with or more likely without a waistcoat and some like that extra tad of security, particularly if they have lost a wee bit of weight.

**Lallans** · 31st January 11, 07:30 AM

I would opine that Jock is 100% correct, as usual, but this is quite a fraught topic apparently, because the last time I did comment on this sort of thing I ended up being accused of racist bigotry

. Anyway, to expand a bit, it seems belt loops are not really necessary or even traditional, but people in North American in particular have come to expect them on a kilt. Amongst the group that have them, there is a community that uses them for the kilt belt, and some that use them only for the sporran chain or strap, plus a faction that ignores them completely. Beliefs are strongly held and it is risky to challenge or comment on each practice. And logically, for us neutrals the only safe compromise is to use one loop for the belt and the other for the sporran.

**dredrush** · 31st January 11, 07:41 AM

I am a little slow on the uptake sometimes! So, a compromise would be to use the back loop for the belt and the side loops for the sparron strap. Is that what you are saying?

**Burly Brute** · 11th March 11, 01:32 PM

Originally Posted by Canuck of NI

And logically, for us neutrals the only safe compromise is to use one loop for the belt and the other for the sporran.

That's being P.C.! Haha!

**Jack Daw** · 31st January 11, 07:23 AM

I have several kilts only one or two have belt loops. I never use them for either the kilt or sporran belt.

**Tony** · 31st January 11, 07:46 AM

He's kidding!
On the last bit only.

edit: actually - if you must use loops, use the side ones for the belt and the rear for the sporran strap, othersie it might hang improperly.

but then you said you didn't have loops anyway....so unless you really really want them, dont bother applying them.