Black Patent Leather Kilt Belt

[creagdhubh]

Greetings all,

I am in the process of putting together another Highland evening outfit, which will be composed of a Kenmore doublet in black velvet from Kinloch-Anderson. Obviously with both the Kenmore (single-breasted) and Montrose (double-breasted) doublets, a belt is worn. I wear buckle brogues in black patent leather with my evening attire, and would prefer to have my other leather accroutements to match, especially with the wearing of the Kenmore doublet. It doesn't matter to me as much that my leather sporran strap (in which I typically adorn whilst wearing my heavy cantled hair sporran) matches my patent leather buckle brogues when I wear my Regulation doublet, since obviously no kilt belt is worn due to the waistcoat being present, and I choose not to wear a dirk with my Regulation doublet, so there is no additional need for a belt. However, with the kilt belt being worn around the Kenmore doublet, it is very much a focal point.

I would love to have a belt, 2 1/4-2 1/2 inches wide made of black patent leather to wear with my new doublet. Do any of you know where I could find such an item to purchase, or possibly have an establishment make one? I have seen them being worn before, specifically by pipers in various Highland regiments-P/M Alasdair Gillies (see photos) is a prime example, as he still wears is kilt belt in black patent leather, along with his Queens Own Cameron Highlanders silver buckle-so I know that such an item exists and/or can be made. Any information would be greatly appreciated.




Thank you,

[druid]

What I think you are looking for in "Patton Leather" is also called "Clarino" in police duty gear. It's a clear, highly shiny and bright, almost a lacquered finish on leather or synthetic leather duty gear. A Sam Browne belt like this: http://www.uscav.com/productinfo.asp...TabID=548&cs=1 as the example.

There's also this: http://www.stationhouse.com/uniforms...owne_belts.htm

Sam Browne with [or without] shoulder strap...

[creagdhubh]

Thanks druid, yet I am wanting the belt to be just like a typical kilt belt in design, just made of black patent leather-not a Sam Browne belt. I know what those are. Thanks again though mate.

[TecScot]

What I think is with your doublet the belt will be lost. That said, try it. It might work.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Hi Kyle--

Most "shiny" dirk belts these days seem to be some sort of faux leather-- in other words, plastic. Probably the most striking civilian dirk belt that I've ever seen was a velvet one with an exquisitely wire-embroidered thistle motif running along its length. I'm not sure how practical (or costly!!) an embroidered belt would be, but you might want to consider the option/possibility of having some velvet sleeves in various colours made to slip over your existing dirk belt.

--Scott

[Bigkahuna]

Highland Brigade has some very nice gold embroidered regimental dirk belts for sale. As I recall they went for around $100.00.

[Tobus]

Find yourself a local leatherworker. Making a custom width plain color (but shiny) belt should be VERY easy and affordable. Especially if you supply the buckle. This isn't something you have to purchase from a Scottish specialty shop.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Highland Brigade has some very nice gold embroidered regimental dirk belts for sale. As I recall they went for around $100.00.

These are very nice, indeed, but are narrower than the usual civilian dirk belt. That said, they will do custom work, so you might want to give them a try.

(Highland Brigade, btw, is located in Texas, so it's not as if there is no comeback once they take your money...)

[creagdhubh]

What I think is with your doublet the belt will be lost. That said, try it. It might work.

Not sure what you mean, please clarify.

[creagdhubh]

Hi Kyle--

Most "shiny" dirk belts these days seem to be some sort of faux leather-- in other words, plastic. Probably the most striking civilian dirk belt that I've ever seen was a velvet one with an exquisitely wire-embroidered thistle motif running along its length. I'm not sure how practical (or costly!!) an embroidered belt would be, but you might want to consider the option/possibility of having some velvet sleeves in various colours made to slip over your existing dirk belt.

--Scott

Hi Scott,

Many thanks for your input and advice-It never occurred to me to have the belt concealed by matching velvet 'sleeves,' what a most interesting idea! Yes, I have seen the plastic kilt belts, and I am not too fond of them. Thank you again!

Aye,