Every individual wants to wear a kilt, but choosing the right accessories adds to the overall experience. Scottish outfits are a collection of several accessories including kilt belts, buckles, and flashes. All of them are small yet helpful items to complement the traditional looks. They add style, comfort, and a flair of heritage to the silhouette. This blog post means to explain the use of certain components and highlight tips to choose the suitable ones.
Understanding the Role of Each Accessory
Before highlighting the tips to select these accessories, understanding every item’s role is essential. It is because kilt components are different from regular accessories, and they have multiple uses from functionality to cultural admiration.
The Kilt Belt: Scottish belts are made with leather and differ from standard belts in size because of being wider. Their primary function is to add structure to the outfits. Further, they secure the kilt at the waist. Besides these uses, people admire them as decorative embellishments thanks to their partner, “the buckle”.
The Belt Buckle: Chrome buckles are common to spot with traditional kilts that are attached to one end of belts, used to fasten them. It is a bold centrepiece that mirrors the personal style or clan heritage. The buckle is often engraved with Celtic or Scottish symbols, helping wearers to honour their culture.
Flashes: Kilt flashes are colourful fabric strips that Scots wear with kilt hose to maintain their position and prevent slipping. They peek out just below the turn of the socks and add a feel of shades, enhancing the outfit’s style.
Choosing the Right Accessories
Do you know what mistakes people make when opting for kilt accessories? They overlook the size, material, and style relevant to the occasion. These approaches collectively impact the overall visuals and also equate to disrespecting the cultural dress. Let’s step ahead to pick up the ideal accessories.
Opting for an Ideal Kilt Belt
People normally confuse kilt belts with standard ones used in other cultures and consider them the same. In reality, they differ from each other in multiple aspects, including material, size, and functionality. Move back to the topic and see how to opt for an ideal one.
Width and Material: Original belts used with tartan kilts are made with pure and high-quality leather, and there is no room to use other materials. The average width of these belts is 2.25 inches, which is ideal to complement the kilts.
Style and Detailing: The variations in style and ornamentation are common, but you must stick to the event’s theme. However, the ideal one for ceremonial events is a plain belt without any designs.
The Quality of Leather: The last aspect while opting for an ideal belt is to choose the right quality. People generally prefer top-grain or cowhide leather belts for their durability and shiny appearance. Therefore, synthetic materials are available today for relaxed events.
Picking the Perfect Belt Buckle
Let’s discuss some tips for the selection of belt buckles. This component is made with different metals such as silver, pewter, and brass. It reveals where the wearer came from and which clan he has, thanks to the clan crest engraved on buckle. While picking the ideal one for your outfit, you must concede the given points.
Style Options: Buckles often have two styles: modern and traditional. When deciding between them, you must prioritise the event’s theme. Modern buckles are suitable for relaxed events, while formal events demand traditional styles.
Material and Finish: The material of the belt buckle should reflect the overall structure of the dress. Never choose synthetic material for formal events, but go with original metal, brass, and silver to complement the kilts. Regarding the buckle finish, you may go with options such as polish or brushed for enhanced lifespan.
Personalisation and Clan Heritage: If you are an identity-conscious person, prefer buckles with clan heritage styles or national symbols to admire your culture. Modernism is also possible, as modern buckles also trend today, and you can even personalise them.
Selecting the Right Flashes
Kilt flashes are fabric components having different colours and patterns. That’s why their selection needs more attention from the other accessories. Moreover, they must complement many other kilt accessories, such as men’s kilts, jackets, hoses, fly plaids, and sporrans. It means a bit of carelessness can impact the overall look.
Colour Coordination: First of all, you must ensure coordinating its colours with all of the components we just discussed. Normally, there are two options: to wear a matching pair or a contrasting pair. Both options work here, but the colour should complement other fabrics.
Material and Design: Deciding the right material of kilt flashes is important as well. For ceremonial events, wool is the top priority, as it is a traditional material used to make flashes. On the other hand, synthetic materials such as cotton or poly-viscose are options for casual occasions.
Coordinating the Whole Look
When coordinating the whole look with a kilt belt, buckle, and flashes, all accessories should accompany each other for a cohesive look. Various factors are important for such circumstances, while the most essential one is the quality. Never ever pick low-material-quality products, as it impacts your complete structure.
Similarly, the shade selection also matters. The flashes should favour the patterns. If wearing patterned hoses, opt for a plain color. Neat and flawless visuals mean getting the maximum from the traditional attire.
Buy High-quality Kilt Accessories at Utility Kilt UK
The above discussion focused on the quality of the kilt belts, buckles, and flashes, which confirms how concerned Scots are about their traditional dress. Following the same criteria, you must opt for premium-quality products for sophisticated looks. To buy top quality at the minimum price range, you should explore the collection of Utility Kilt UK. Besides quality and affordability, we offer a range of products from jackets to woodwind instruments.
Our Exceptional Kilt Belts, Buckles, and Flashes
FAQs About These Accessories
Do I need to wear a kilt belt if I'm also wearing a waistcoat or Prince Charlie jacket?
You can pair them only if the kilt is bothering you in size. Otherwise, there is no need to wear a belt, as the Prince Charlie jackets and their waistcoats hide it.
Can I use a regular leather belt with a kilt, or do I need a special kilt belt?
There is no strict rule to use a specific kilt belt with Scottish clothing. It means you can use a regular belt; therefore, the wider leather belt would be more convenient.
Are kilt belts and buckles typically sold together or separately?
What are flashes actually made from, and do materials vary by occasion?
Kilt makers use wool or synthetic material stripes to make flashes, while plain elastic straps are attached to hold kilt socks. From the occasion’s perspective, only wool is suitable for formal wear, while synthetic materials are acceptable at casual events.
