How important is a belt?

[Dale Seago]

Since we're on the subject of belts, and I don't mean to hijack the thread, but I'm very close to ordering my first kilt and was wondering from where you, who have 2-inch, non-plate, belts purchased them? All I seem to be able to find are the belts with shiny silver/brass/pewter plate buckles.

Thanks and sorry for the hijack.

-Mark

I have two 2.25-inchers with the "hunter" buckle from Mojo Leather, one dark brown/brass and one black/silver:

http://www.mojoleather.com/sporran-k...bbrownelt-p-92

I also have a 2.5" black one w/brass roller buckle from Oconee:

http://oconeeleatherworks.com/Belts.htm

All 3 are excellent (I have two Mojo Leather sporran straps, too). Both makers go to the effort of smoothing the inner side and rounding/burnishing the edges to reduce wear on the wool.




EDIT: You can see me wearing the dark-brown Mojo Leather belt below. Clearly, my Mojo is working. . .

[josephkirkpatrick]

I wear only a thinner (1 1/2 inch) ring belt with my kilts. It's necessary for the great, but not so much the moderns... I just like the way it looks.

[lukeyrobertson]

My kilt is has a 3" rise. I have a belt and waist plate. I wear it when I'm not wearing my waist coat. But, I find it uncomfortable and with the rise of the kilt, it's hard to find the right place for it. I'm really thinking about wearing it even less.

[creagdhubh]

My kilt is has a 3" rise. I have a belt and waist plate. I wear it when I'm not wearing my waist coat. But, I find it uncomfortable and with the rise of the kilt, it's hard to find the right place for it. I'm really thinking about wearing it even less.

That's exactly what eventually happened to me. I began by normally not wearing a belt, then I only wore the belt when not wearing a waistcoat, typically with a twee jacket, then I stopped wearing the belt entirely, because I began to wear the waistcoat no matter what - just a smarter look in my opinion. Now, I have since sold the only belt I ever owned and am currently working on selling the buckle too, which is on sale on xmts by the way! No more belts and waist plates for me - unless it is evening attire and I am wearing a dirk.

Cheers,

[The_Tailor]

I wear one, it looks good with my kilt and the celtic knotwork buckle cements that it is in fact a kilt, and that I'm not some 'fruit in a skirt' (a common occurrence in this area). I've tried going out sans belt and it just doesn't 'feel' right. I've worn a belt most of my life so maybe that's where that comes from. I also find that because I've had this belt for about 8 years, and that it is now formed to my body, it helps to provide a certain shaping where needed. Nothing special, just a 1.5 inch black basketweave belt (police standard).

[Seanmadra]

A related question somewhat off the intent of the original post.

I've read all the suggestions of when to wear a belt, type of buckle, and personal choices, and I think I even read a comment that the belt is not supposed to go through the loops. My question is why doesn't the belt go through the loops? Or did I misread something?

[The farqcom]

I like wearing a belt, having worn one for so long that items just don't feel right without. I do wear my two wool kilts without just for drill. Two belts are both soft leather, one brown in buffalo, w/matching sporran belt; black in elk, soft finish, chrome, brass, or pewter waist plates for now, very pleasant to wear. Another is a medium shine, stiffer medium brown with square brass prong buckle. All 2 1/4". A soft, old military surplus, low sheen black with double prong roller buckler in a brass/coppery material works for my charcoal grey "canvass". My "fashion advisors", now including 15 yr old g-daughter, like belts between shirt and kilt most of the time.

[Father Bill]

A related question somewhat off the intent of the original post.

I've read all the suggestions of when to wear a belt, type of buckle, and personal choices, and I think I even read a comment that the belt is not supposed to go through the loops. My question is why doesn't the belt go through the loops? Or did I misread something?

Distorts the kilt after a few bend-over-and-pick-ups.

[Peter Crowe]

A related question somewhat off the intent of the original post.

I've read all the suggestions of when to wear a belt, type of buckle, and personal choices, and I think I even read a comment that the belt is not supposed to go through the loops. My question is why doesn't the belt go through the loops? Or did I misread something?

The loops are primarily designed to keep the sporran straps in place, and some kilts come without them as they are not absolutely necessary for holding the sporran up. If you put your belt through the loops it sits to low showing kilt sticking over the top. One of the reasons why folk often wear a belt is to create a break between the tartan fabric of the kilt and their shirt.

[Paul Henry]

The loops are primarily designed to keep the sporran straps in place, and some kilts come without them as they are not absolutely necessary for holding the sporran up. If you put your belt through the loops it sits to low showing kilt sticking over the top. One of the reasons why folk often wear a belt is to create a break between the tartan fabric of the kilt and their shirt.

The top edge of the kilt will show above the belt line whether you use the loops or not. Traditional kilts are actually made with a slight outward taper at the top edge in order to slightly "cinch" the kilt when the buckles are done up, this means that the belt, to an extent, sits in this part. I think it looks much better that a little of the top edge of the kilt does show over the belt, visually it creates a much smarter look.

In answer to the original post, I think a belt isn't required , but it really does help to add that little bit of "punctuation", I have occasionally gone without a belt, but I always feel slightly un- finished without one.