Is a belt required for a kilt?

[MikeC]

I was looking at pictures of Prince Charles and his style when he wears a kilt. I noticed that he doesnt wear a kilt belt. Most of the pictures of him are with a jacket and vest, but there are less formal pictures, and he isnt wearing a belt then either. I know that a belt isnt needed to keep a kilt up (on). So, what is the thought about wearing a belt? Is it necessary? When is it not? When is it required?

While i mostly wear a kilt casually, i find that I dont usually wear a kilt belt. All 4 of my kilts are 8yd "traditional" kilts, no utilikilts, or modern cargo pocket kilts (i personally dont care for them).

[Father Bill]

The belt is technically a “dirk belt” If you don’t need a dirk, you don’t need a belt.

[Balaamsass51]

Matthew Newsome, who made kilts for me and my son would not even consider putting a belt loop on a kilt. He was adamant that a kilt which is properly measured belts were not necessary.

[Tobus]

The straps and buckles, along with the internal construction of the kilt, is the only belt it needs in order to be held up. A separate belt over the kilt is just an accessory, either for hanging items like a dirk, or for the visual aesthetic. It's not necessary. And it's perfectly acceptable to wear your kilt without a belt.

I usually do wear one when I'm not wearing a waistcoat, just because I like the look and I have a very nice tooled belt made by my wife. But I do sometimes go without it, if I'm in the mood. The belt is just one more way to personalize one's look.

[OC Richard]

I noticed that he (Charles) doesn't wear a kilt belt.

I know that a belt isn't needed to keep a kilt up...what is the thought about wearing a belt? Is it necessary? When is it not? When is it required?

Great questions!

First about the name "kilt belt" which was addressed above: "Kilt belt" is, as far as I know, a recent term. I have a collection of Highland Dress catalogues from the 1920s through 1950s and the belt is called a "dirk belt".

In the old days the dirk belt was worn to support a dirk, very rarely otherwise.

The dirk belt was worn over the jacket or over the waistcoat, not on the kilt itself. The only time a dirk belt would be worn directly on the kilt is when no waistcoat or jacket was worn. Since in the old days men generally didn't appear in public in shirtsleeves, wearing the dirk belt directly on the kilt was rarely seen.

The disassociation of the dirk belt with the dirk began, seems to me, around 1920 with the introduction of a completely new sort of Highland Evening Dress jacket, the Montrose, which was intended to be worn with a belt. Since the invention of the Montrose happened to coincide with the general simplification of Highland Dress, including doing away with dirks, this meant that the Montrose was generally worn with a dirkless dirk belt.

The practice of wearing a belt directly on the kilt under a waistcoat is entirely modern, and as far as I know is driven by factors such as:

1) Men having ill-fitting kilts

2) Men making a false analogy with modern trousers, which are held up by a belt

3) Men seeing the sporran belt loops on the back of a kilt and wrongly concluding that these are intended for a waist belt.

Time for pictures!

Belts are often not seen in Victorian photos even when a dirk is being worn. Evidently the dirk belt was worn under the waistcoat, or perhaps the dirk was suspended by other means (such as was known to be done in certain military uniforms).

A dirk belt supporting a dirk



A dirk supported by hidden means



Dirks worn in shirtsleeve order in the army, here the dirks are suspended by the ordinary canvas webbing equipment belt, but one also sees the ornate black leather belts with silver buckles supporting dirks in otherwise nondescript uniform.

[gsmacleod]

As has been mentioned, absolutely not required. I've worn a belt with my kilt twice. Once was my wedding day, when I didn't know any better and listened to the rental shop advice (also cream hose!).

GG.jpg

The other, was recently I decided it was too warm for a waistcoat and went with a belt instead. In this case, I rather like the way it looks but usually I'm beltless.

IMG_20190821_153751_2.jpg

Shane

[Stoff]

I usually wear a belt due to various belt things. Phone pouch, key hanging ring, and multi-tool sheath.

Stoff

[OC Richard]

As a working piper I have to look smart yet I endeavour to cut down my kit to the essentials.

Less things to wear means less time getting dressed for a gig.

So I do without all the extraneous do-dads I can. I usually don't wear waistcoat or belt and button the jacket for a clean look.

No kilt pin, sgian, lapel pins, tie tacks, etc.



I realise that these Highland jackets are usually worn unbuttoned. When I plan to leave the jacket open I sometimes wear a belt:

[OC Richard]

I usually wear a belt due to various belt things. Phone pouch, key hanging ring, and multi-tool sheath.

Interesting! I've never worn "belt things".

With "Saxon" clothes I've never worn anything at all on a belt. With Highland Dress, only a dirk.

Here's my one-and-only "belt thing"

[KnittedReenactor]

The only kilts that actually require some form of belt are the utility style (x-kilt) and great kilts. On those, the belt is necessary as a closure mechanism and to provide the load bearing components. They are also just trouser belts usually.
OC Richard covered the other civilian and military uses for a belt. Aesthetics, Uniform Requirements (usually aesthetics) and practical use by carrying something (weapons, cellphones holster, etc.)