Belts, a question.

[Chef]

Belts are a difficult terrain. They are within civilian modes of dress nearly always informal. Belts are generally considered as inappropriate to formal or business attire as training shoes. A well dressed gentleman is probably best advised to avoid wearing belts

If one needs a belt to hold up one's pants then one needs no belt but a better tailor! :-)

I agree for the most part; I have never owned a kilt that required a belt to stay up. Where I disagree is the idea of being dressed with no belt on the kilt. True if you are wearing a PC then you don't need one; when ever I wear a waistcoat (day or evening) or a pull-over I go without the belt; its not seen anyway and it just makes the waistcoast lie badly. However the most formal kilt jacket is arguably one of the variations of the doublet and it absolutley requires a belt. This is my favoutite formal wear.

[Nanook]

I However the most formal kilt jacket is arguably one of the variations of the doublet and it absolutley requires a belt. This is my favoutite formal wear.

The doublet demands a belt--- although it can be worn beltless "out of context" (e.g. as in Pop music fashion)--- but its really a style of (ceremonial) military tunic. The belt is worn over the jacket. Belts here have quite a different tradition. The belt is to the tunic and not to kilt or trews. This is also considered fine style among gentlemen's attire (as much is indeed military inspired and historically designed by the same military tailors) and is mirrored in jacket belts--- what's a "trench coat" without belt?--- to even more casual styles like the "Norfolk" with built-in belt.

[GreenDragon]

Thanks for all your input everybody.

[Richland]

YOU HAVE TO WEAR A BELT WITH YOUR KILT!
THOSE ARE THE RULES!


Just kidding. There are no rules!
if you wear a sweater un-tucked "no belt" is easier
Same goes for a waist coat.
I never go belt-less or sporran-less, (just me) Sweaters are too hot for my furnace.

[Kid Cossack]

I originally wore a nice wide belt every time I wore a kilt . . . then I started to use just the sporran on it's loose belt. I don't think I've actually worn a belt-type-belt with a kilt in several months.

[Tartan Hiker]

While looking at Ron's "Loud MacLeod" thread I went to this link. Here's an argument for belts if I ever saw one. Huge tracts of yellow blaring above the sporran just looks wrong.

http://www.wooster.edu/music/band/Me...ures/index.htm

[pdcorlis]

TH - I agree, to me its not about keeping your kilt up, any kilt should have a snug fit right from the kiltmaker - its more about the overall visual balance - shirt, belt, kilt, sporran, hose and shoes or chunky socks and boots.

[Kid Cossack]

While looking at Ron's "Loud MacLeod" thread I went to this link. Here's an argument for belts if I ever saw one. Huge tracts of yellow blaring above the sporran just looks wrong.

http://www.wooster.edu/music/band/Me...ures/index.htm

Great pic. But say, in one of those pictures, there's an INDIVIDUAL over there who doesn't want to PLAY BY THE RULES! Anyone notice the guy whose kilt is to the stripe? Or was that just me?

[Erisianmonkey]

I noticed. Does anyone else get the impression of a bumblebee seeing that Loud MacLeod to the stripe?