How important is a belt?

**artificer** · 14th April 11, 07:30 PM

The only time I ever wear a kilt belt is if I'm going casual and tucked in (think polo, tucked). Any other time, your waistcoat or sweater will cover the area taken up by the belt anyway.

The only exception would be if you're wearing a Montrose or similar doublet where the belt is worn on OVER the coatee.

Skip it, unless you love the look, IMO.

**Matty Ross** · 14th April 11, 08:46 PM

HOWEVER some of us do not have the advantage of a slim body shape. If I don't wear a belt my kilt will fall off.

**Riverkilt** · 14th April 11, 09:57 PM

Started out with kilt belts - then stopped, no need with kilt straps. Much more comfy without a belt.

**Oddern** · 14th April 11, 11:05 PM

My advice is, if you wear a waistcoat or sweater that covers the top of your kilt, do not wear a belt. It's to bulky. If you are not wearing a waistcoat or anything covering your kilt top, do what you feel looks best.
Skål!

**AKScott** · 14th April 11, 11:57 PM

I agree with the above. With a tucked in shirt, lace up boots and scrunched down hiking socks, my fiance prefers the look with a kilt belt. I see it as a fashion accessory with out function, except for keeping her happy.

With a sweater or etcetera, I have no problem leaving off a fashion accessory that serves no useful purpose.

**Lime** · 15th April 11, 01:39 AM

It is just an accessory, you don't have to wear it, and whether it looks good or not depends on what you are wearing. With my previous kilt (a military style with quite a high rise) I hardly ever wore a belt as a good few inches of tartan would appear above it which looked slightly odd. I generally wore a waistcoat or jumper instead.

With my newer kilt (which sits on the natural waist) I quite like wearing a belt but purely because I like the look (it is just a wide bridle leather with a brass buckle not a kilt belt with the fancy buckle). It isn't tight enough to be uncomfortable and just provides a bit of balance to the ensemble.

**robbiethepiper** · 15th April 11, 01:48 AM

With a tucked-in shirt and without a vest/sweater then a belt looks better, but please avoid plate buckles for daywear....Robbie

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 15th April 11, 05:14 AM

Originally Posted by Matty Ross

HOWEVER some of us do not have the advantage of a slim body shape. If I don't wear a belt my kilt will fall off.

Certainly we all have different body types and you need to take that into account. But I will point out that Tom Mungall in my previously posted image is no string bean. :-)

I know many men of substance who do just fine with no belt, so long as their kilt is well fitting.

**Father Bill** · 15th April 11, 05:56 AM

Originally Posted by M. A. C. Newsome

Certainly we all have different body types and you need to take that into account. But I will point out that Tom Mungall in my previously posted image is no string bean. :-)

I know many men of substance who do just fine with no belt, so long as their kilt is well fitting.

Less a matter of size than of relative proportions. My gut is bigger than my hips which are bigger than my butt. Suck in the gut, the kilt falls off. I'll wear a belt until I get around to attaching suspender buttons and get a nice pair of suspenders.