Kilt closure - Buttoned - Puffer

**puffer** · 16th July 09, 09:46 AM

I recently got an inquiry asking about one of kilts. It is a "period Kilt" ( High waist, box pleat ) BUT the ??? was the way the KILT "fastens" It uses BUTTONS instead of Buckles.

ith:

Do any of you have a "traditional" Kilt that fastens this way ???
Do any of you have other examples ???

Here is the KILT

Here are "close ups of the "mode" of closure.

Puffer

**dfmacliam** · 16th July 09, 09:50 AM

I cannot offer anything helpful... But I like that look. How does the inner apron fasten? A button inside might be uncomfortable.

**puffer** · 16th July 09, 10:17 AM

Originally Posted by peacekeeper83

I cannot offer anything helpful... But I like that look. How does the inner apron fasten? A button inside might be uncomfortable.

The inner apron does not "fasten". Because of the high waist & the GREAT tailoring, it does not need one.

My "greatest fear" is that I will gain weight. This type of closure is not "adjustable & would require "re tailoring

puffer

**vmac3205** · 16th July 09, 10:29 AM

I like the look. You? Gain weight?!?!?!? ha ha ha ha ha
Okay, that made my morning.

**Squeaky McMurdo** · 16th July 09, 10:48 AM

I made my cammo kilts to fasten with recycled BDU buttons.
There are 2 button holes (one on the inner and another on the outer apron) and 6 buttons, so it does adjust sizes, and the flat buttons are comfortable against the waist.

You can see one of the buttons in this picture.

--Chelsea McMurdo--

**The Wizard of BC** · 16th July 09, 11:05 AM

You do not need to re-tailor. Simply move the buttons to anywhere you need them.

I have not seen this particular fastener but buttons at the waist are not uncommon in older Kilts. Remember that our current 3 strap and buckle arrangement was not always the standard.

The Oldest Kilts that I have seen do not have any fixed fasteners at all but simply are pinned on with a Horse Blanket Pin.

I've seen buttons used, Long single straps, ties of fabric and cord, and even hooks and eyes.

The thing we today forget is that there have been thousands if not hundreds of thousands of Kiltmakers over the years. Many of these people have been very talented.
It has only been since the late 1940's and 50's that any sort of standardization has set into the art of Kiltmaking.
And prior to the '60's you went to your Kiltmaker and ordered your Kilt and the entire outfit was made in the same shop. Each shop would try to come up with some unique way to attract customers. And because there were no standards or schools that taught just one way to make a Kilt they were free to do whatever came to mind.

**vmac3205** · 16th July 09, 11:26 AM

Thank you, Steve.
Both Captmac and I enjoyed learning that information.

**McFarkus** · 16th July 09, 12:19 PM

It's a really great look!

**The Wizard of BC** · 16th July 09, 01:06 PM

Puffer, How old is the Kilt in your photos?

I assumed from your use of "period Kilt" that it was old. But looking at the photos closely it appears to be at least partially machine sewn.
It also looks like the stripes in Fell do not line up quite accurately.
Is it possible that this Kilt is new and made to look "Period"?
Or are you using that terminology to simply refer to the way the Kilt was designed to fit?

**puffer** · 16th July 09, 03:28 PM

Originally Posted by The Wizard of BC

Puffer, How old is the Kilt in your photos?

I assumed from your use of "period Kilt" that it was old. But looking at the photos closely it appears to be at least partially machine sewn.
It also looks like the stripes in Fell do not line up quite accurately.
Is it possible that this Kilt is new and made to look "Period"?
Or are you using that terminology to simply refer to the way the Kilt was designed to fit?

Steve, Sorry, if my use of the term "period" caused confusion. I put it in "".."" to convey it was a Reproduction or in the style of.

The KILT was made as a part of an 1812 outfit ( kilt, jacket & vest.) about 6 years ago. At the time I portrayed a distant Relative ( A Capt. of a Canadian Rifle Militia Co. ) The Jacket & Vest was easy, to replicate, in that we had a sketch of him in them. ( B&W, we added the green color to represent "Rifles colors")
BUT the kilt WAS a PROBLEM, in that he was seated, & therefore the design & tartan was unclear.) I choose to use my "family tartan" ( Black Douglas )

We settled on the kilt design ( box pleat, High waist after a LOT of research & advise) The closure was his choice.

I now wear it ( period wise ) only for " dress" - NWC/HBC 1820s - to mid 1850s.

I would show a picture of the "Militia look" but they all show me with firearms.

Here is a picture of the "dress look" @ a recent event. ( HBC - late 1840s - mid 1850s )

Puffer