braces

[DWFII]

I was recently told that some folks will wear braces (suspenders) with a kilt. I don't doubt it as I have a pretty straight profile from waist to hips and when wearing a kilt it seems like I am always want to to "hitch" it up a little to keep it under my rib cage.

Is this just a personal preference or is there a historic or traditional precedent for wearing braces with a kilt?

[Bellfree]

Matt Newsome at the Scottish Tartan Museum showed me some old kilts that had brace buttons sewn in them. So I guess it was done. I haven't seen anyone wearing braces with their kilts lately, however. Funny, I had recently thought of it too, for the same reason you mention, which is why I asked Matt. I wear braces with most of my pants; who knows, maybe someday with my kilts.

[Ryan Ross]

There is a huge historical precedent for wearing braces with a kilt. A lot of the older tailored kilts in existance have buttons installed, for just that reason. If you get a book called "All About Your Kilt" by Bob Martin (excelent read), you can see quite a few pictures of old kilts with buttons for braces. I'd guess the tradition goes back at least 180 years, give or take.

Go for it, man. Maybe you can revive the style.

[JerseyLawyer]

It seems very practical. If your kilt is too large, a belt will bunch it up, whereas braces won't. Of course, if it's much, much too large, then you'd wind up looking like the MC from "Cabaret".

I have worn clip-on suspenders with a kilt a few times, when the band kilt was too large, and I was wearing a vest or sweater. It works very well.

[Riverkilt]

Duluth Trading Company makes some side clip suspenders that probably wouldn't show under a jacket.

http://www.duluthtrading.com/searche...ure=Product_16

My only warning is that I have quit doing business with this company after two "lies" in a row. The hemp content of a hemp shirt was much less when it arrived than what was advertised in their catalog. A sporran-like pouch arrived with much smaller dimensions than advertised in their catalog. The corporate response both times was basically, "so what?"

But, gotta be hard to screw up suspenders....?

Ron

[Howard Clark]

I really like their tee shirts, and have a couple of pair of trousers (shudder) that I got from them that are fine work wear. I do not own, but have seen the side clip suspenders, and they look pretty well made.

[DWFII]

Thanks lads. I wear braces with all my pants. I have my wife sew buttons on the inside of the waistband. So this should be a cinch.

There is a possibility that the kilt by itself would never slip much but I sure do feel insecure without my braces.

[slohairt]

I've seen many old pictures of kilts with buttons for braces. My father-in-law wears them with his kilt as his waist and hip measurements are identical. He began wearing them after a public 'disrobing' incident!

[Moosedog]

So this should be a cinch.

Or not, I hope!

Moosedog

[ForresterModern]

I have matching braces for all three of my tanks, which , due to some well earned weight loss now fit rather loosely, despite by belt. I too an fairly straight with my waist and hip measuremtnet identical so stuff tends to slide a bit off the beergut. I bought mine customed from kiltstore for each tartan---not cheap but not exactly outrageously expensive either, and they look good with dress clothes. A little funky looking with casual stuff though.


Be careful with the clamp type because some of the teeth on the clips can pull threads out of your tartan if not seated well on the fabric.

Had the guy at our local kilt rental shop actually offer to install buttons on my tanks to allow me to use the standard button type braces, but not sure if I can modify my custom tartan braces to button style from their current clip style. Will work on it and let you know.