Comfort in Kilt and Hose

[OC Richard]

If a kilt fits properly, it doesn't need a belt to hold it up. In fact, if you wear a Prince Charlie jacket, you don't wear a belt at all.

In terms of loops, kilts didn't use to have loops for a belt.

Army kilts never have had loops. My kilts don't have them.

A peeve of mine is people wearing belts under waistcoats, the waistcoat too short and the belt too low, so you see it peeking out.







When they invented the Prince Charlie Coatee back around 1900 I wonder if they could have imagined what a travesty it would become. Here it is, worn as intended, back only 20 years after it was invented



About the Golden Gate Bridge Effect that comes from years of belt-wearing with loops, there's an old Scottish gent who is always at our local Games who has the worst case I've ever seen. If only I could sneak up and take a photo of his backside! His kilt must be a couple inches lower in between the loops than the places the loops are at.

[Barb T]

Is the square pleat kilt easier than a knife pleat kilt as there are less to make?

Do you mean a box-pleated kilt? Like this?



If so, the difference in time to make the kilt is really the time difference for stitching 8 or 9 pleats, as opposed to 25 or 27. That IS a difference, but everything else is pretty much the same in terms of time. So, you should pick the kind of kilt to make based on what you want, rather than on the likely time of construction. It does take only half the amount of tartan, so the cost is less.

You can download a pdf on making box pleated kilts at the bottom of the page at theartofkiltmaking.com/order-the-book.html, but you'll need a copy of The Art of Kiltmaking as well (same link), because the box pleat instructions only cover the parts that are different from making a knife-pleated kilt.

[Barb T]

A peeve of mine is people wearing belts under waistcoats, the waistcoat too short and the belt too low, so you see it peeking out.

Mine, too. The photo below - EESH KABEESH......

About the Golden Gate Bridge Effect that comes from years of belt-wearing with loops...

Eeek! I LOVE this description! It's as good as the "dreaded lawnchair effect"! Thank you!

[kingandrew]

I second Steve's suggestion about the sporran hanger. For years after I ditched the cheapo Ren-Fair chain that came with my first (acrylic) kilt, I used sporran hangers. They work great and always kept my sporran at the same level.

I now have added a black strap (from USA kilts) to my repertoire, and although I find it comfortable and useful, I do find myself making more adjustments than when I wear the sporran hangers. However, the strap is very useful when I'm wearing a vest, as I share Richard's distaste for kilt belts under a vest.

I do like the belt for casual wear, however, and have at times needed one when I had lost weight and my kilt was too loose around the waist.

When it comes to hose, I find that choosing the right material, thickness, and tightness of weave can make a big difference in how hot or cool my legs will feel. So my heavy wool shooting socks are great in cold weather, my light cotton cable knits from Sock Dreams come out on the hottest summer days, and my House of Cheviot wool is great for everything in between.

In general, I have never found any garment more comfortable to wear than the kilt. And it looks much more stylish than pajamas, sweatpants, leggings, or other items marketed primarily for their "comfort."

Andrew

[Dr Bee]

A peeve of mine is people wearing belts under waistcoats, the waistcoat too short and the belt too low, so you see it peeking out.

"Peeve" is a rather mild and perhaps polite way of stating it. I do not yet have high blood pressure, but these photographs really do raise the needle into the red zone - if you post any more may I suggest you display an appropriate health warning.