Belt Buckle Advice

[cavscout]

Native American designs can be very similar to Celtic designs and very different. I'm not saying they have to be "Celtic looking" to be worn with a kilt, to the contrary it could look very good. Riverkilt has blended the two cultures in several of his photos (vests, sporrans, kilt pins...)

I'd say try it and post some pics. Some designs may look better than others and we can provide you with more helpful feedback.

The kilt is such a versatile garment. From formal wear to casual, or can be worn with many more colors thanks to the spectrum of colors in the tartans. I believe it can also be blended with many cultures if the blending is kept in balance. That balance is relative to the individual and based on perception. Give it a try. If you don't like it, you can always modify the look

[gilmore]

Anyway, would I be laughed off the field if I showed up some place where there were other kilt wearers and my kilt belt buckle was of Native American (I have a couple of very nice Hopi and Navajo buckles) design?

It depends on the field. They might not be the thing for a formal Burns Supper, but more appropriate for a day time event in, say, the Southwest US.

[billmcc]

When I started wearing kilts I wore a regular belt with a subtle western design on it. Frankly it just didn't look right. It was too thin.

Of more importance than the design on the buckle is the width of the belt and size of the buckle. On a traditional kilt the belt is wide (2 1/2" -3").

Jamie

Jamie is correct about the size of the belt and buckle. The belt will look odd if it isn't at least 2 inches wide. A traditional kilt has a higher waist than pants, so a wider belt is needed with a kilt.

[David Dalglish]

I agree a kilt belt should be 2 1/2--3ins wide otherwise they dont look right, but nothing wrong with native buckles, if they fit a proper size belt.

[davedove]

Like the others have said, as long as the belt and buckle are big enough to suit the kilt, the buckle design should be no problem. In fact, a nice big silver buckle of Navajo design (or any other) would look quite nice.

One caveat, if you wear a tartan, be sure any colored stones on a buckle don't clash with the tartan.

[Marshal Moroni]

Thanks for all of the feedback.
I thought I'd post a picture of the buckle in question



I am talking with Steve at Oconee Leather Works to see if we can come up with a proper kilt belt for this buckle.

Cheers,

[Big Mikey]

An excellent idea!

[Mr. MacDougall]

One of the local SAMS guys wears a Hopi "man in the maze" buckle on his kilt belt, and it looks right sharp. Likewise, the buckle you've demonstrated looks nice. Don't be afraid to wear it!

[Brasilikilt]

Marshal

I think the question you should ask yourself is: Do YOU like the buckle and kilt combination?

If somebody else doesn't like it.....they can go pound sand.

If anyone "laughs you off the field" over a belt buckle then I think that is a problem with the people laughing, not the belt buckle.

[Bob C]

The buckle design is fine. I fear it's just too small to wear with a kilt. That belt is better suited to jeans than a kilt and the buckle is sized to fit it.