What is a kilt belt/buckle?

[The Wizard of BC]

A Kilt belt is derived from the military "Waistbelt & Waistplate". These were worn over and outside of the tunic. Examples can be see on many military uniforms of the WWII and earlier variety.

The difference between a waistbelt and today's trouser belt is the way it fastens and adjusts.

A Kilt Belt is latched with a bale and hook as seen in the pictures above. The size adjustment is in the body of the belt as described above with a small buckle or velcro on the inside.

A trouser belt is latched with the buckle fitting through holes in the body of the belt.

Because of this the two belts are not interchangeable. You cannot use a trouser buckle on a Kilt belt and vers visa.

And please remember....The Kilt Belt is worn over and outside as decoration only. It DOES NOT go through any loops. On a Traditional Kilt you do not use the belt to hold the Kilt up. The straps do that.

If you have a Traditional Style Kilt with two long loops in the back, those are sporran loops to keep the sporran strap from falling down over your hips.

Putting a waistbelt through the sporran loops will eventually distort the Kilt and create two pulled up areas in the back of the Kilt causing the Fell area to show a sort of "W" in the stripes. After awhile this distortion will be permanent and your Kilt will not hang straight.

[piperdbh]

Some kilt belts are used to suspend the sporran from. I prefer an either/or approach to belts and sporrans. But that's not what this thread is about.

My kilt belt from L & M Highland is about 3" wide, and adjusts and fastens as described a couple of times above. I think it gives a "finished" look to the waist of the kilt, but a sporran gives an equally "finished" look.

[Phogfan86]

"A belt's a belt and a buckle's a buckle. If you wear it with your kilt, it becomes a kilt belt or kilt buckle."

No more calls, please. We have a winner.

[slohairt]

Besides the above well-made points, a trouser belt is too narrow and will migrate to the top of the kilt. (Where it should not be). As you know, a kilt's waistline is located two inches down from the top, so a belt that is wider than two inches stays put. A trouser belt is often 1.5 or 1.75 inches. I suppose it would stay if cinched tight enough, but there would be a wide expanse of kilt showing above it. In any case, the belt is merely decorative.

[K. MacRuadh]

If you have a Traditional Style Kilt with two long loops in the back, those are sporran loops to keep the sporran strap from falling down over your hips.

Not to question your expertise here, I've never made a kilt and probably never will, but 3" loops to hold a little sporran chain/belt? Hmmmm

[English Bloke]

... Putting a waistbelt through the sporran loops will eventually distort the Kilt and create two pulled up areas in the back of the Kilt causing the Fell area to show a sort of "W" in the stripes. After awhile this distortion will be permanent and your Kilt will not hang straight. ...

... some people wear a belt through the loops and some don't! It's had so much discussion over the years and I'm not sure there has been many changes of heart...

Well I just had a change of heart Paul . I've been wearing my belt through the loops but I won't be doing it anymore. I always assumed it was a matter of choice. I never knew that you could damage the Kilt. Cheers steve