Does a Kilt Need a Belt?

**Derek Conley** · 16th February 14, 11:30 PM

I think it'll always come down to personal preference, but for me, it has everything to do with size.

What I mean by that is simply this: I'm short, at 5'7", but stocky, weighing around 177lbs or so. My dad and grandfather (surprisingly, we all went into law enforcement) are built the same way. For me, wearing a kilt sans belt looks odd as I have a fairly short torso, comparitively. The belt serves well to break up the upper edge of the kilt, and brings some better symmetry. I think this can kind of be seen in my avatar pic.

When wearing a waistcoat, the problem is also alleviated and then no belt is really needed.

**BCAC** · 17th February 14, 02:16 AM

Originally Posted by Downunder Kilt

I think the common name for your buckle Jordon is a D buckle, and BTW, that "Bloke" next to you looks pretty mean.

He really does look a big "meanie".

On the subject of belts, I always wear a belt if I'm not wearing a waistcoat. Very rarely a big waistplate type belt (expect with my Montrose doublet). It just seems to me that something is missing if there's no belt.

**Riverkilt** · 17th February 14, 10:40 AM

A kilt needs a belt like jeans need a belt and suspenders....

The kilt straps work well, that's what they are for.

**Nathan** · 17th February 14, 10:45 AM

Originally Posted by Jordan

Personally I like to wear a belt just to break up the line between kilt and t-shirt (usually) I have gone without a belt before and I'm not against it, I just seem to pick up my belt when I'm getting dressed. I would also like to add that a great big waist plate is not needed for daily wear, my belt has a U shaped buckle I don't know the proper name but heres a picture. I'm on the left.

I don't think I've ever worn one with a waistcoat either and I don't intend on starting.

Just my tuppence.

I agree with you on both your points about the belt. Well said. Now save up with your mates and buy poor Mr. MacDonald there at the back there a proper day sporran and some hose. ;)

**Jordan** · 17th February 14, 10:57 AM

Originally Posted by Nathan

I agree with you on both your points about the belt. Well said. Now save up with your mates and buy poor Mr. MacDonald there at the back there a proper day sporran and some hose. ;)

The gentleman in the background was wearing a kilt for the first time in his life. He has borrowed it from a friend when himself and his wife found out they were going to be staying at Ferintosh during the weekend of the Burns supper, I'm sure you can cut the poor man some slack! Wearing a kilt for the first time while on a pub crawl with the Rabble has got to be daunting enough without having to worry about little unimportant things.

**Jock Scot** · 17th February 14, 11:11 AM

Originally Posted by Jordan

The gentleman in the background was wearing a kilt for the first time in his life. He has borrowed it from a friend when himself and his wife found out they were going to be staying at Ferintosh during the weekend of the Burns supper, I'm sure you can cut the poor man some slack! Wearing a kilt for the first time while on a pub crawl with the Rabble has got to be daunting enough without having to worry about little unimportant things.

Quite so Jordan. I know this is a bit of a hobby horse of mine , but it is so easy to draw the wrong(well alright more unkind in this case, than wrong) conclusions from pictures and it is something that we can tend to do on this website and perhaps understandably -----and we have probably all done it. I know I have!

**Jordan** · 17th February 14, 11:16 AM

Indeed, the gentleman in question is not a member of the forum to defend himself and had other things on his mind. The least of all being the vast amounts of whisky on offer.

**Hawk** · 17th February 14, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by Jordan

The gentleman in the background was wearing a kilt for the first time in his life. He has borrowed it from a friend when himself and his wife found out they were going to be staying at Ferintosh during the weekend of the Burns supper........

.....if I'm right, while looking through the photo spread on the link from that outing to the Burns Supper, he is wearing that Kilt and Sporran at the evening festivities, with jacket and appropriate hose......so indeed, he was on his way.......am I right Jordan?

Hawk

**Nathan** · 17th February 14, 11:29 AM

Originally Posted by Jordan

The gentleman in the background was wearing a kilt for the first time in his life. He has borrowed it from a friend when himself and his wife found out they were going to be staying at Ferintosh during the weekend of the Burns supper, I'm sure you can cut the poor man some slack! Wearing a kilt for the first time while on a pub crawl with the Rabble has got to be daunting enough without having to worry about little unimportant things.

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Quite so Jordan. I know this is a bit of a hobby horse of mine , but it is so easy to draw the wrong conclusions from pictures and it is something that we can tend to do on this website and perhaps understandably -----and we have probably all done it. I know I have!

Firstly, and most importantly, I was just being cheeky - See the wink icon above (this one --> ;)
I have certainly cut him some slack. I'm on his side and was just trying to jokingly angle a couple of gifts for him

.

Second of all, if things like sporran choice are "unimportant" this whole website is pointless.

Thirdly, I don't think I drew the wrong conclusion. I concluded that he needed a day sporran and hose. Turns out he needs a whole rig as this one was borrowed. Although I may have been erroneous in my conclusion that he was a MacDonald.

Fourthly, you're a good man for defending your Mate, Jordan.

Finally, I hope you all had a grand time and that he catches the kilt wearing bug.