What Is a Kilt Closure?

The type of closure for your kilt depends on the style of the kilt.

Kilts, those well-known garments prized by the Scottish and their descendants, have been held together with various implements since their inception. From straps and buckles to buttons and snaps, these closures help insure that the kilt stays closed and fits properly.

Kilt Basics

A kilt's tartan, or striped pattern, is usually specific to a clan, geographic location or organization. A Piper Gets Ready to Play image by Ray Carpenter from Fotolia.com

A kilt is a man's garment constructed from approximately 4 to 9 yards of fabric, most often wool in a tartan pattern. The garment is pleated along the back and overlaps in the front, right side over left. Some type of closure is necessary to hold the kilt together.

Traditional Kilt Closures

The earliest kilts were held together with belts or pins. A belt would simply hold the folds of fabric securely against the wearer's body. If pins were used, two would be required---one at the waist and one approximately 2 inches lower than the waist.

Modern Kilt Closures

Pins evolved into leather straps, but the positions remained generally the same. Most modern tartan kilts feature three straps. One is at the waist, one is approximately 2 to 4 inches lower, and one holds the left (under) side of the kilt in place.

Casual Kilt Closures

With the advent of casual kilts made of cotton twill fabrics, buttons and snaps were used in addition to waist straps to hold down the front of the kilt (the apron). These buttons extend down approximately 6 inches from the waist, and may number anywhere from two to six.

Kilt Pins

To prevent the lower edges of the kilt from opening, some wearers use kilt pins. These metal pins are often shaped like a dagger sporting the wearer's Scottish clan crest and are generally no longer than 3 to 4 inches.

References

• Traditional Box Pleated Kilts
• Scottish Tartans Museum