Braces/Suspenders buttons placement on kilts

**Kriegbert** · 30th June 21, 06:32 PM

Do any of you have photos of historical kilts with braces buttons sewn on? I can’t find any examples from the past and would like advise on placement eg on which front apron the forward buttons should go, whether the buttons should be facing out or inwards, etc. Thanks

**figheadair** · 30th June 21, 10:00 PM

Originally Posted by Kriegbert

Do any of you have photos of historical kilts with braces buttons sewn on? I can’t find any examples from the past and would like advise on placement eg on which front apron the forward buttons should go, whether the buttons should be facing out or inwards, etc. Thanks

Always on the outside in the examples I've seen.

See the images in this paper - http://www.scottishtartans.co.uk/Mac...0-c1800-20.pdf

**Kriegbert** · 30th June 21, 11:15 PM

Originally Posted by figheadair

Always on the outside in the examples I've seen.

See the images in this paper - http://www.scottishtartans.co.uk/Mac...0-c1800-20.pdf

Can’t really tell from the images, but the front buttons sre on the outer apron facing outwards?

Can you also tell me how the ties worked? As opposed to the straps? Thank you, I’ve not seen them before.

**figheadair** · 2nd July 21, 04:57 AM

Originally Posted by Kriegbert

Can’t really tell from the images, but the front buttons sre on the outer apron facing outwards?

Yes, similarly the ones at the back.

Click image for larger version.

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Can you also tell me how the ties worked? As opposed to the straps? Thank you, I’ve not seen them before.

This was the earlier/original type of fastening. There was a ribbon at the top corner of the outer apron and a corresponding one at the waist. Often there were ties further down the apron too as in this MacDougall Kilt c1820. These were more loosely fastened and are when later became residual rosettes.

Click image for larger version.

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**kilted2000** · 10th November 21, 10:52 AM

May I ask what may be a stupid question? I’ve always been told a kilt shouldn’t need a belt to stay up. By the same logic, why would braces/ suspenders be needed? If a kilt can stay up by itself are braces purely decorative? I know there are times when a belt is not recommended, such as when wearing a waistcoat, is that when braces be useful?

**Father Bill** · 10th November 21, 11:19 AM

Braces can be useful if the ratio of your hips is slight. Although it will generally stay high, they keep the kilt from falling to mid-knee over time.
As with trousers, nicest under a waistcoat where they're invisible.