How important is a belt?

[Really a McQueen]

Ok, I admit it, I do not own a kilt belt or buckle. This, even though my kilt has two belt loops in the back, capable of handling a 2 1/4 inch wide belt.

For day wear purposes, is a belt & buckle really necessary? How about if I plan on removing my jacket at some point during the day, and the weather is too warm to wear a waistcoat?

The reason I ask is that a long-time friend is getting married in June (she's a MacDonald ), and has asked me to attend her wedding kilted (the 'something old' part not doubt). Luckily, the dress code is not 'formal'. Being June in Oregon, it will likely be around 24°C (75°F), so the tweed jacket will probably be shed during the reception. Also, the only sporran I own is plain, brown leather, but that should be acceptable for this event.

So what say the rabble? Should I buy a wide belt and buckle, and/or a semi-dress sporran. Or should I save the money, and buy a decent bottle of whisky for my use at the reception?

[CMcG]

<snip>

So what say the rabble? Should I buy a wide belt and buckle, and/or a semi-dress sporran. Or should I save the money, and buy a decent bottle of whisky for my use at the reception?

I'm sure the whisky will be a waaaaaaay better accessory for a reception

A belt is not necessary to hold up a traditional kilt because it is a fitted garment with buckles and straps of its own. The big waistplate things are technically dirk belts, for hanging a big knife on. Nonetheless, if I'm not wearing a waistcoat, I like to wear a belt because it creates a visual break between the shirt and tartan.

Your plain brown sporran sounds fine for the event. If you did want to upgrade, I prefer a hunting sporran rather than a semi-dress because of its versatility.

Last summer I was at a wedding on a farm in Saskatchewan. I wore a tweed jacket, hunting sporran, and a used police duty belt that I picked up on eBay for a couple dollars:

[Lyle1]

You should only buy a belt if you want to wear a belt. Belts are accessories, which you are free to wear or not wear. If you want another sporran, you should buy one, but again, the choice is entirely up to you. I can not offer advice about buying a decent bottle of whiskey for the reception, but I will tell you that I have attended a few weddings where I wished I had thought to bring something decent to drink.

[JSFMACLJR]

I almost never wear a belt with the kilt. If the kilt fits properly, there really is no reason why one needs to wear a belt, as it would do nothing except provide ornamentation.

If you want to wear a belt, though--if you like the "look"--then by all means wear one.

Now, about a "semi-dress sporran"...DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY! Almost everything that is billed as a s-d sporran looks cheap,is cheap, and makes you look a bit...how should I say this without offending anyone?... Johnny come lately to Highland dress! Stick with the plain leather, with or without tassels, or a style called a "hunting" sporran, or a full mask sporran which is versatile enough for any situationday or night.

[McClef]

A belt with a kilt can appear much less important than a belt with trousers!

I discovered that earlier this evening during my initiation ceremony at my Lodge!

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I rarely wear a belt. Occasionally I'll wear one for informal dress, if I just feel like wearing one (but then it is a casual style, not the formal waist-plate). For formal dress I normally wear a waistcoat and no belt.

When I was recently on Ellis Island, in NY, and down to DC, I went about a week and a half and didn't wear a belt to a single function, be it talking to the public during the Ellis Island tartan exhibition, dressed in black tie at Dressed to Kilt, or presenting at the Capital Visitor Center in Washington during a symposium. Never needed a belt.

Here I am in DC, wearing an Argyle jacket, shirt and tie, with no waistcoat, and no belt.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Here's a photo taken at the Stone Mountain Highland Games last year. The gentleman on the far right is my friend Tom Mungall. I don't think I have ever seen him wear a belt.

[Spartan Tartan]

I agree with others about the belt being YOUR choice and it's totally an accessory. There is even a thread here somewhere that does a good explaination of why NOT to use the belt loops if/when you do wear a belt!

[Really a McQueen]

Here's a photo taken at the Stone Mountain Highland Games last year. The gentleman on the far right is my friend Tom Mungall. I don't think I have ever seen him wear a belt.

You know Matt, I see only one belt in that photo. And it is holding up a pair of jeans.

[Korvyn]

I like the look and wear one. But i feel it just depends on your preference. I wear a belt all day everyday at work and just feel like i've forgotten something if i don't have one on.