belt loop usage?

[puckhead9]

I use the belt loops - It also covers up the sporran chain.

[IrishGodfather]

I like the loops, and I wear my belt through mine. May not be the intended use, but that's how I like it. And I'd rather be comfortable than conform to any unwritten rules. So I say just do what makes you happy, use them or not, either way you're wearing a kilt, shouldn't be so many rules!

[The Wizard of BC]

The reason you need to put your Belt through the loops or that it makes it more comfortable for you to do it is because your Kilt is probably not made as a full Traditional Kilt is made.

Here is a photo of a full Traditional Kilt. Note that the Fell area flares back out above the line of the buckles.
As a Traditional Kilt is worn with the top straps at the natural waist the Fell must flare out to fit over the ribs.



Many Kilts made today do not have this flare above the straps & buckles. This means that the Kilt will try to slide down till the smallest part of the Fell is at the natural waist.
If you try to put on the Waistbelt over the Kilt without putting it through the loops the belt will ride up and over the top of the Kilt.

[Bugbear]

What the Wizard says is true! I've had to make several adjustments to my StillWater kilt, though it looks fairly traditional, to get a better fit in that belt area. It's still not perfect, but it's a lot better.

[Dan R Porter]

I was talking with a guy in a local kiltshop here in STL and he says, and I qoute "The biggest sin wearing a kilt is your kilt showing above the belt." Maybe this is some old wise tale, like not wearing white socks, but I thought it was of interest enough to put into my memory bank.

[The Wizard of BC]

Dan, I own an authentic, genuine, and real-meal-deal Tewksbury Kilt.
It is the one in the Photograph above. When I wear it with a Standard 2 1/8" Waistbelt and Waistplate the Kilt and belt both fit comfortably at my natural waist and do not move. As the Rise of this Kilt is 2" above the center of the top Straps, and the Waistbelt is 2 1/8" wide, this leaves 11/16" of Kilt showing above the Belt.

I think I'll trust Barb on this issue.

[Dan R Porter]

Sorry Steve, I was not siding with his argument. Just always thought it was funny. Maybe ot was just a personal thing for him but he made it clear to a group of people getting fittings that it was wrong.

I bit my tongue, I figured at that time, who was I to argue with a kilt expert?

[KFCarter]

I think I'll trust Barb on this issue.

Given these sources... I'd say case closed.

[puffer]

Dan, I own an authentic, genuine, and real-meal-deal Tewksbury Kilt.
It is the one in the Photograph above. When I wear it with a Standard 2 1/8" Waistbelt and Waistplate the Kilt and belt both fit comfortably at my natural waist and do not move. As the Rise of this Kilt is 2" above the center of the top Straps, and the Waistbelt is 2 1/8" wide, this leaves 11/16" of Kilt showing above the Belt.

I think I'll trust Barb on this issue.

I AGREE. ALL of my "modern kilts ( TANKS) fit similarly. My Period ( box pleat) & 3 gov. issued Regimental s , show more.

Puffer

[Carolina Kiltman]

Just adding my tuppence worth here: I have observed that in general, if the kilt is made to fit the individual, the belt loops are there primarily to hold the sporran straps! However I have also noted that those of us who have prosperous figures (my Scots Mother's term) need the straps for the sporran, and perhaps the belt as well. For those of us with waist/hip ratios in positive numbers, (hips larger than the waist) the need for the keepers is superfluous.