2 VS 3 Straps

[JohntheBiker]

The internal left buckle is standard on Matt Newsome's box-pleated kilts. You can see a photo of it on his site: http://www.newhousehighland.com/kilt_details.html

Edited to add: Incidentally, Matt also has an entire article dedicated to answering the question of how the third strap came to be. http://kiltmaker.blogspot.com/2005/0...lt-straps.html

Many thanks! Wouldn't have occurred to me to attach the buckle to the inner apron and buckle it left to right.

[Bob C]

I have one of each and prefer the look and fit of the kilt with three straps. I would not care for a kilt with the strap on the inside at all.

[Tobus]

I have one of each and prefer the look and fit of the kilt with three straps. I would not care for a kilt with the strap on the inside at all.

I didn't think I would either. And I still don't really like buckling it that way, but that's mainly just because it's different than my other kilts and makes me change my routine.

But the buckle being on the inside of the kilt does have the advantage of letting the kilt belt lay flatter to the kilt, instead of having to jump over the hump of an external buckle. That's one thing that really annoys me about the top straps/buckles of kilts. The kilt belt never lays well over them. But the internal strap/buckle assembly solves that problem for the left side. And I never even notice the buckle on my left side, even with it inside the kilt.

[lukeyrobertson]

I didn't think I would either. And I still don't really like buckling it that way, but that's mainly just because it's different than my other kilts and makes me change my routine.

But the buckle being on the inside of the kilt does have the advantage of letting the kilt belt lay flatter to the kilt, instead of having to jump over the hump of an external buckle. That's one thing that really annoys me about the top straps/buckles of kilts. The kilt belt never lays well over them. But the internal strap/buckle assembly solves that problem for the left side. And I never even notice the buckle on my left side, even with it inside the kilt.

Yes, I agree. Tobus. The inside left strap and buckle is just fine for all the reasons you mention. And of course no button hole.

[Tam Piperson]

I read somewhere that many of the older regimental military kilts were made without straps and buckles altogether, that they were simply pinned at the waist with a large straight-pin and the held in place by a waist belt. Other antique vintage kilts I have seen had buttons in place of straps.

One wonders if velcro had been around 150 years ago if our modern kilts would have straps and buckles at all. That being said, I do like the way they look, as someone else said here, it does give the kilt a more rugged, masculine appearance.

[JohntheBiker]

There are many of us who have been using the inside arrangement for a long time
some pictures here might help to visual it

Appreciate the pictures. I think it's a rather elegant solution and since resizing is always an issue, I may have to give it a try.

[OC Richard]

Personally I prefer the feel of the 2 and it seems to drape better.

***

The kilts I've had made for me (BTW all traditional handsewn kilts) all have 2. When I'm playing in a pipe band and they issue me a kilt, the first thing I do is take off the 3rd strap.

I don't see what purpose it serves other than make the kilt pucker on one side and not hang as well.

[OC Richard]

let's also ditch fringe on the apron, kilt pins

That's how Scottish military kilts are, no fringe, and only the Gordon Highlanders wore kilt pins.

In The Highlanders of Scotland most of the men aren't wearing flashes or kilt pins and many of the jackets have plain cuffs.

Over the last 40 years I've gradually pared my kit down to shoes, socks, flashes, kilt, sporran, shirt, tie, jacket, and hat. 2 straps and no loops on the kilt.

[Jock Scot]

That's how Scottish military kilts are, no fringe, and only the Gordon Highlanders wore kilt pins.

In The Highlanders of Scotland most of the men aren't wearing flashes or kilt pins and many of the jackets have plain cuffs.

Over the last 40 years I've gradually pared my kit down to shoes, socks, flashes, kilt, sporran, shirt, tie, jacket, and hat. 2 straps and no loops on the kilt.

I think many long-term kilt-wearers take the same route and I know that I have "recycled" much of my kilt klutter amongst my sons and nephews over recent years as my social gathering requirements have lessened and theirs have increased.

[Tobus]

That's how Scottish military kilts are, no fringe, and only the Gordon Highlanders wore kilt pins.

True, but military kilts also have the third strap.