Top band, buckle tab and sporran loop question

[Me cousin Jack]

Why when such care is taken to match twill lines, pleats, and dimension are top band, buckle tab and sporran loops not matched? Just curious, I kinda like that they aren’t as it adds a bit of playfulness.

[Father Bill]

It all depends on how careful the kiltmaker is. On my kilts, they all match.

[Tobus]

They match on my kilts too.

[Me cousin Jack]

Thanks for the reply boys

[Father Bill]

Now... If you have to move the buckles/ straps because of weight gain or loss, they may no longer match very well.

[Jock Scot]

Why when such care is taken to match twill lines, pleats, and dimension are top band, buckle tab and sporran loops not matched? Just curious, I kinda like that they aren’t as it adds a bit of playfulness.

The tartan on the top band and buckle tabs do match--------nearly, on my two bespoke(and only) kilts and neither have belt/sporran loops.

[plaid preacher]

There is no reason why the buckle tabs and keepers do not match, save for lack of care and attention. As for the top band, I would say it should probably match on the front apron, but may get slightly off as you travel across the pleats. My good kilt is pleated to the strip, and so, my waistband does not match the stripes all across the back.

[fluter]

I second the observations of Jock Scot and plaid preacher.

If the top band is tartan, it should match the apron. Since the pleats are tapered at the waist (usually), it will not match the back and underapron. If waist and hip sizes are the same, it might nearly match all the way 'round. That's an unusual measurement, but not unheard of. However if the kiltmaker allowed a slight flare in the rise (the bit above the waist), then it will diverge. That's done to keep the kilt's waist at the wearer's waist.

The buckle tabs are typically made from the leftover bits of the tartan, and matched to the pattern beneath. Usually they are short enough to be covered by the strap when the kilt is worn, so it's not critical---just esthetically pleasing. I had to make new one for a kilt I've been wearing 12 years, and made a temporary one from a non-matching broadcloth scrap. This works, but I'll replace it with a color that's in the tartan. I did not make this kilt, so it's unlikely that I'll find a matching tartan scrap; but again, that won't bother me since it's not seen.

Pardon the pedantry, but I'm at Kilt Kamp and those details surround me!

[TAB]

On my semi-trad the buckle tabs don't match but the straps cover them when buckled. The overall quality of the kilt is excellent so I just turn a blind eye.

[Me cousin Jack]

Thanks all for your help, I see now why they don’t match but only around back at the pleats.