no belt loops on kilt--what to do?

[dredrush]

Hi All,

Got my first kilt, but it does not have belt loops. What should I do?

1. Have my wife add in some belt loops?
2. Wear a belt without using belt loops?

Also, what size belt thickness should be worn?

Thanks,
Don

[Jock Scot]

DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT. Until I joined this website I had no idea that kilts were produced with belt loops and I have been around kilts for all of my life.If it helps to ease your mind, my kilts have not had them. I venture to suggest that most traditional kilts are without them.So its really just a case of some have and some have not, or, what your instructions may be to your kilt maker-------------- should one know about them, that is.

As to belt width, two/two and a half inches is about right.Too thin looks awful.

[MacSpadger]

I am probably a latecomer to kilt wearing compared to Jock Scot, I have only been wearing them since 1976, but I can tell you none of my kilts have had belt loops either. As Jock says, don't worry about it. Your kilt isn't going to fall down.

I usually wear a kilt without a belt anyway, as I wear a waistcoat, (vest to some), and have had no mishap.

[dredrush]

So, if i understand you guys correctly--- a belt is not necessary.

[Jack Daw]

I have several kilts only one or two have belt loops. I never use them for either the kilt or sporran belt.

[Jock Scot]

So, if i understand you guys correctly--- a belt is not necessary.

As long as your kilt fits you then a belt is not necessary. If you wear a waistcoat then belts are usually not worn, however some like the look of a belt, with or more likely without a waistcoat and some like that extra tad of security, particularly if they have lost a wee bit of weight.

[Lallans]

I would opine that Jock is 100% correct, as usual, but this is quite a fraught topic apparently, because the last time I did comment on this sort of thing I ended up being accused of racist bigotry . Anyway, to expand a bit, it seems belt loops are not really necessary or even traditional, but people in North American in particular have come to expect them on a kilt. Amongst the group that have them, there is a community that uses them for the kilt belt, and some that use them only for the sporran chain or strap, plus a faction that ignores them completely. Beliefs are strongly held and it is risky to challenge or comment on each practice. And logically, for us neutrals the only safe compromise is to use one loop for the belt and the other for the sporran.

[dredrush]

I am a little slow on the uptake sometimes! So, a compromise would be to use the back loop for the belt and the side loops for the sparron strap. Is that what you are saying?

[Tony]

He's kidding!
On the last bit only.

edit: actually - if you must use loops, use the side ones for the belt and the rear for the sporran strap, othersie it might hang improperly.

but then you said you didn't have loops anyway....so unless you really really want them, dont bother applying them.

[Tobus]

I am a little slow on the uptake sometimes! So, a compromise would be to use the back loop for the belt and the side loops for the sparron strap. Is that what you are saying?

Most traditional kilts that do have belt loops will only have two, both of which are at the back. Methinks he was joking about using one of each for the sporran or belt, as this would look pretty silly.

I know the USA Casual kilt has a single rear loop and then one on each side, and there may be other makers out there that put them on the sides too. But for most traditional kilts, it'll be just two at the rear.

I like the belt loops and use them for my belt, leaving the sporran strap to fend for itself. The reason I use the belt loops is because I find my belt will slip up in the rear when I bend or sit if I don't use them. And then I have to constantly check to make sure my belt is in the right place at the rear, which is just silly. So I use the loops and my belt stays put. Your mileage may vary.