What my Mom says about belt loops on kilts

[Jock Scot]

I'm under the impression that many kilts have been made to use the full width of the fabric, selvage to selvage. Unless the wearer is quite tall, if the bottom is worn above the knee, that's going to give quite a high rise, even with narrow hand-woven fabrics. The advantages are that it's less work to make: you don't need a waistband to keep the top from coming apart, and if you're feeling thrifty, you can take it apart and remake it should your size change, or when it gets worn at the bottom edge.

For proper function, the kilt only needs to extend a half inch or so above the waist of the wearer.

Don't forget in the Highlands "thrift" was a necessity, choice was not an option for most, until very recently. It was not unusual for the kilt apron to be reversed after years of use, to give it another generation or three of life.

[Dixiecat]

Don't forget in the Highlands "thrift" was a necessity, choice was not an option for most, until very recently. It was not unusual for the kilt apron to be reversed after years of use, to give it another generation or three of life.

A simple argument that blows that whole female/male apron closing rule out of the water.

[wildrover]

My kilt is exactly as Steve describes, and if I want to move it up or down on my torso, I have to grab ahold of it to do so. It stays in place without a belt just fine.

I've only recently got over the idea that I need to wear every piece of kilt-related stuff I own, ever time I wear the kilt...and I'd say realizing the belt is just a fashion piece (for most) was a major milestone.

A simple argument that blows that whole female/male apron closing rule out of the water.

Guys will always find reasons to separate our clothing from similar articles worn by girls, even if they're really stupid reasons .

[fluter]

Correct. Provided the civilian kilt is properly fitted.

...and the wearer's hips are at least slightly bigger than his waist. If there's not a bit of taper to the hips, sporran loops may be in order.

[NorCalPiper]

My mother correctly pointed out that a perfectly trimmed kilt needs no belt, but one's perfection usually doesn't last, hence the need for belt loops. Maybe that was her point.....

[Kilted Rogue]

Ok now i am going the other way. if your kilt belt is riding up on your back and your kilt is traveling south. Can you add loops to help keep you kilt in a neutral location. Who can do such a bit off doctoring? just for record i am talking about a WPG kilt.

[fluter]

Ok now i am going the other way. if your kilt belt is riding up on your back and your kilt is traveling south. Can you add loops to help keep you kilt in a neutral location. Who can do such a bit off doctoring? just for record i am talking about a WPG kilt.

You can certainly add them by hand. I'd try to find some fabric that matches the waistband or one of the tartan colors.

Belt loops help more with off-the-rack kilts which may have a "standard" waist/hip ratio. I sometimes use them with my Stillwaters, for example.

It happens most frequently when exiting the car, so one might get by with just adjusting the kilt after alighting---or in the case of my wife's car, climbing back up to ground level.

[mayberry]

The question is relevant for those of us who own kilts with belt loops, (and possibly separate sporran belt loops as well). Do we run our belts and sporran belts over these loops, as if they weren't there?
Cheers,
John

[HarborSpringsPiper]

The question is relevant for those of us who own kilts with belt loops, (and possibly separate sporran belt loops as well). Do we run our belts and sporran belts over these loops, as if they weren't there?
Cheers,
John

I've ignored them successfully for 37 years, don't see why anybody would need to do otherwise. YMMV