Buckle and Belt

[R.P.Wallace]

Question for anyone who is listening

As a newbie, I am just starting to expand my kilt wardrobe. I recently purchased a new belt buckle. However, to attach it to my belt I must turn my belt upside down (which has thistle artwork).

Is there a standard way all belt / belt buckles should be?

[MacMillans son]

Hmmm, that does sound a bit odd RP. Can you post a couple of pictures of your problematic combination and perhaps we could offer a remedy.

[Tobus]

I've had the same problem using random kilt belts and buckles. As far as I can tell, there is no standard. Some buckle from the left, some from the right. You just have to make sure the buckle and belt go the same way.

[longhuntr74]

I know exactly which belt buckle you are referring to (or pretty sure I do) and I know that type of belt you are talking about. The answer, in short, is that the maker of the buckle makes them backwards from the standard belt (presumably in an effort to ensure that you buy his belt as well. Typically, a buckle will attack the the right hand side of the belt and fasten on the left (as you wear it). The only easy solution to your problem is to get a belt that is the same upside down or right side up like one of the Celtic knotwork belts.

[bigdad1]

My main kilt buckle fastens on the wrong side too. I just wear the belt the other way and everything is hunky dory.

[Chas]

Maybe I am being very stupid here, but I can't see what the problem is. Pictures maybe?

When I wear a normal belt with a buckle, the buckle is in my left hand and the opposite end threads through it and the spare is to my left hip. That is the way I learned it as a child, but it was re-emphasised when I joined the Royal Air Force. All airmen were to wear their uniform belts that way as it is 'uniform'.

When I wear a kilt belt (or sometimes called a dirk belt), the waistplate is in my left hand, as before, and the opposite end (with the little metal loop) clips on to it. My waistplate is zoomorphic and there is no up and down so it could be worn the other way round. It comes off the belt so I can change belts and waistplates. I believe that my type is universal - it is certainly the type sold by all the kilt accessory shops.

Regards

Chas

[BCAC]

Chas, I learnt, like you, to do up my belt the same way that you do. As a lad, I was told that that was the boys way and that the other way was for girls.

There are some kilt belts, however (those with the clan badge on the buckle come to mind), that have to be put on the other (girls) way because if you put it on the proper (boys) way the badge is upside down.

[thescot]

BCASA, R.P,. et al: I have found the same to be true; some are upside down and some are not. It's an oddity that I never gave any real thought to before. Why some manufacturers make them upside down is beyond me. I wonder if some of it is foreign manufacturers who do not share the same "standards."

I'm just glad my belts are all ambidextrous.

[R.P.Wallace]

Next belt will have to be a Celtic knot then.

Thanks guys


Buckles that attach from the left vs attaching from the right - bottom buckle is a family crest buckle and to attach it to my belt, the thistle knotwork must be upside down

[davidg]

The question is whether the buckle is upside down or whether you have just been wearing your belt incorrectly

The traditional way for a man to do up his belt is for the buckle to be on the RIGHT side of the waist and the non buckle end of the belt to be on the left. That way any leather "overhang" would appear on the right hand side of the waist where it would not interfere with the drawing of a sword which might get tangled up if the belt were worn the other way around. This applies, of course, to those who are right handed with left handed users reversing that

These days many men have become accustomed to wearing their trouser belts the wrong way round. It is fairly universal fashion and does not matter in the slightest because we no longer carry or rely on swords. But where we have a problem is with something like a kilt belt. If it is designed to do up the traditional way then whenever we attach a buckle that is not a mirror design (i.e. can only be correct one way up) we THINK it is upside down

I hope that makes some sense