Waistcoat and belt

**svc40bt** · 19th January 09, 08:13 PM

Originally Posted by Carolina Kiltman

I would still go with the braces (suspenders). There is a type that fastens on the side only.

I agree that the clips could damage the kilt, so I would suggest sewing a tab on the inside (catching the hair canvas interlining) and clip the braces to them.

I have used them for years with work clothing, and find them much more comfortable than the usual "fore and aft" type.

http://www.duluthtrading.com/home/ho...G014013&admkt=

Those sideclips are interesting. I will look into them.

**Kiltman** · 19th January 09, 07:51 PM

Originally Posted by McMurdo

In my opinion anyway, a belt should never be worn with a waistcoat, if your kilt does not fit properly I'd suggest a better fitting kilt.

Spot-on!

**george7** · 19th January 09, 07:42 PM

It's not customary to wear a kilt belt with waistcoat, it happens, and sometimes it looks OK. On the suspenders... how about some lederhosen styled deer leather get-ups?

**svc40bt** · 19th January 09, 07:53 PM

I seem to recall a couple of pictures posted on the forum of gentlemen wearing a belt over a waistcoat. I like the look of the belt with the kilt, but I like the waistcoats too.

As for the braces, I have several pair, just can't figure out how to work the buttons with the overlapping aprons. I would think whichever apron I attached them to would be pulled up. It would seem they need to be attached to both aprons but that seems difficult to acheive.

**Bugbear** · 19th January 09, 07:52 PM

I would guess that you could easily rig up something for braces to keep them from biting into your kilt. * Oops, that got covered while I was writing. *

There has been talk of the belt being worn over the waistcoat, but I think that was very rare and long, long ago.

**DWFII** · 19th January 09, 09:18 PM

Most men's braces...the one's that aren't clip-ons...have a double button-hole arrangement in both sides of the front. Hard to describe but people familiar with good men's braces probably know what I mean.

So...why not sew a button on the inner side of the inner apron and another button (for the same strap) on the inner side of the outer apron. Do the same for the other side of the front of the kilt. In the back you would sew both buttons on the inner side of the kilt. What I'm getting at is...wouldn't that keep the aprons even?

I am going to sew buttons on my kilt to wear with a waistcoat simply because I have the same problem--no hips/butt to speak of. I've seen too many old (vintage) photographs of kilts with braces to think it odd. And if buttons are used and sewn inside the kilt, the kilt can still be worn with a belt and no one will be the wiser.

**svc40bt** · 19th January 09, 09:43 PM

Originally Posted by DWFII

Most men's braces...the one's that aren't clip-ons...have a double button-hole arrangement in both sides of the front. Hard to describe but people familiar with good men's braces probably know what I mean.

So...why not sew a button on the inner side of the inner apron and another button (for the same strap) on the inner side of the outer apron. Do the same for the other side of the front of the kilt. In the back you would sew both buttons on the inner side of the kilt. What I'm getting at is...wouldn't that keep the aprons even?

I am going to sew buttons on my kilt to wear with a waistcoat simply because I have the same problem--no hips/butt to speak of. I've seen too many old (vintage) photographs of kilts with braces to think it odd. And if buttons are used and sewn inside the kilt, the kilt can still be worn with a belt and no one will be the wiser.

Indeed they do. Now why didn't I think of that.

**Bugbear** · 19th January 09, 09:23 PM

Interesting... I have the same measurements, give or take a half inch, from waist down, but I don't have that problem at all. No hips nor butt either... Must just be a different shape.

I do have a problem with the low waist trousers though. If they have a high enough waist they work fine without braces. I used to wear braces with my suits until I figured that out.

**Jack Daw** · 19th January 09, 09:29 PM

Well, since you can't wear a belt and waistcoat at the same time and suspenders are out, too, your only choice is to go bottomless.

**ForresterModern** · 20th January 09, 03:51 AM

I have the same body shape problem with nearly matching waist and hip measurements and the kilts that tend to go from being traditional design to casual wear in fit after about a half an hourm requiring regular trips to the mens room for readjustment. I do have several pair of clamp on braces that work well, except it is hard to get both layers of the apron (especially a 16oz tank) into the clamps in front---the rear is not a problem. They are easy to hide under a waistcoat or sweater (jumper to you brits). I too am worried about long term potential damage to the tartan however.

My thought with what to do with the button style braces is to install one button on each side, left and right, to the inside of the outer apron and the second button to the inside of the inner apron on each side, allowing for some play laterally. That should help keep both aprons from slipping below each other. If I ever get the courage to try out my configuration some time I will let all know the outcome, as I have yet to want to take needle and thread and buttons to one of my nice kilts, being that I am not great with needle and thread and fear equal if not greater damage from my attempt. This is the one time in my life I wished I had a cheap quality kilt to experiment on before committing to altering one of my good ones.