Common Crests Used in Kilt Belt Buckles and More!

Belt buckles featuring crests are a common and significant element in both Scottish and Western dress. All kilt accessories are important but belt crests are a way to celebrate military service, display family pride, or enhance personal styles. They reveal the ancestry of Scots, organizations they support, or symbols they find inspiring. Their existence in different shapes from cowboy motifs to clan crests describes suitability for everyone. This article is a great resource for those who are curious to learn about the importance and common crests used in the belt buckles.

Importance of Clan Crest in Scottish Belts

When it comes to the importance of clan crests, they are also a way to represent a person’s ancestry and history as the tartan kilts do. In other words, wearing a relevant belt badge makes the wearer feel proud of their Scottish history. Every Scottish clan has a distinct crest, often accompanied by a phrase or image that tells a story. Other than identity, wearing a clan crest is more about pride and style.

Most Common Types of Crests Used in Belt Buckles

Kilt belts not only secure the kilts but also convey meaning to the attire. Their crests tell meaningful stories, whether about personal heritage, cultural values, or significant affiliations. Whether celebrating faith, family, or service, these designs are available for every event ensuring their presence in different styles. Therefore, the most popular styles of crests seen in belt buckles nowadays are discussed below.

Family Crests/Coat of Arms

Family crests, also known as coats of arms, are very common to find on belt buckles. They are the most preferred type of crest among the Scots with local ancestry. They are symbolic signs engraved on the belts. Remember, every Scottish tribe has its design.

Military and Law Enforcement Crests

Military and Law enforcement crests or military insignia badges are the ones that represent the rank of a person in a particular department. This particular badge is provided by the main body to the rank holder, which is associated with him only. No other person can use or wear it.

National or State Symbols

State or national crests promote oneness and seeds the spirit of patriotism among people living in the same state or country. These symbols can be artifacts or emblems that represent the identity, culture, and history of a nation. Such crests can have designs such as flags, emblems, or anthems as official symbols. Moreover, national animals, birds, or flowers including thistles and shamrocks.

Western & Cowboy Crests

Western or cowboy crests are the suitable ones for those who prefer something modern or livingly. These signs are not used in Scottish belts because people there prioritize admiring their heritage.

Religious Crests and Symbols

Religious crests or symbols are very rare to find on Scottish belts. However, certain Celtic symbols include Triquetra (a Trinity Knot) that have a religious association. Scots love attiring such symbols but are not primarily linked to religious belief, instead, they use them because of their connection with Celtic heritage and spirituality.

When and Where to Wear Crest Buckles

Kilt belts and buckles are usually paired with tartan kilts on different occasions. They work efficiently everywhere but are not allowed to pair in events where Prince Charlie Kilt outfits are worn because the vest usually hides it.

Formal Events and Highland Gatherings: Remember, buckles are not suitable with only one kind of Scottish outfit, while you can pair them with other ones such as Argyll and Tweed outfits. So, buckles can be attached on several daytime formal occasions. Similarly, pairing them on different clan or Highland gatherings makes them more valuable.

Casual and Heritage-Inspired Outfits: Crest buckles are also good options for several casual settings. You can choose modern crests for contemporary looks. Similarly, heritage-inspired buckles are a suitable choice to blend tradition with modern looks.

Custom vs. Mass-Produced Crest Buckles

The selection between custom and mass-produced crest buckles usually depends on your choice. Items made with both approaches are different from each other in multiple aspects.

Personalization: You can ask for a self-personalized emblem on a customized buckle while mass-produced items lack this feature.

Quality: Machine produced buckles have the same quality, on the other hand, you can ask crafters to use the material that you need.

Price: Customized buckles need an artisan to create one while mass-produced are machine-made. So, personalized products can be more costly.

Versatility: Custom-made buckles are more versatile as you have control over the material. At the same time, machine-made products are made with the same material.

Craftsmanship and Materials Used in Crest Belt Buckles

Do you know what matters most when you are wearing a kilt outfit? It is to maintain the quality of every attachment for superior aesthetics. Therefore, kilt belts and buckles follow the same criteria and it is essential to choose the right material.

Kilt Belt

Let’s begin by discussing the materials used to make kilt belts. The premium quality of leather makes belts to compete with the level of the outfit. However, the use of synthetic materials or faux leather is also common for their durability and affordability. The preferred colors of the leather are black and brown because they complement every shade of the kilts.

Buckle Material

Unlike kilt belts, made up of a single material, their buckles are a bit versatile and their construction usually takes place with different materials. Every material has unique traits and leaves a distinctive impression on the attire.

Brass: Brass is one of the most versatile materials used in belt buckle manufacturing. People usually prefer it for its attractive golden shade and exceptional ability to resist corrosion. In addition to its durability, it is easy to shape. All of these features collectively make it ideal for both functional and decorative buckle designs.

Pewter: Pewter is also a good choice to make belt buckles. They usually make complex designs because of its softer and good melting features, comparatively. This material has a silvery-grey appearance which helps it to attain a classic, vintage look. Above all, this color is the most demanded one for ornamental buckles.

Silver: Another crest-making material is silver. People choose it for premium belt buckles because of its bright, mirror-like finish and prestige. Silver is the softest form of metal discussed above. Moreover, it adds significant value and elegance to the ornaments but the only condition is the high level of craftsmanship.

How to Care for Crest Belt Buckles

No matter which type of buckle crest you wear, it only enhances appearance when it is clean and properly maintained. The process is not that challenging but requires a level of effort. Rather than guessing, follow some expert tips to care for your crest buckle properly.

Clean it Regularly: The most important thing is removing the dust and dirt from the metal. You need a soft cloth and polish it using soft chemicals to maintain its shine.

Polish Occasionally: Prioritize polishing your buckle every couple of months. Do not buy a random polish; choose one that suits the material. Doing so removes minor scratches over the buckle.

Ensure Proper Storage: When you have polished your buckle or not using it, store it properly in an airtight container. Start by wrapping the buckle in a soft cloth, and store it separately to avoid scratches.

Buy Exceptional Belt Buckles at The Utility Kilt

When buying a belt or its buckle with an appropriate crest, purchase it from a reliable brand. So, how do you find a reliable store? Look for one that offers high-quality products, reasonable prices, timely delivery, flexible payment options, and clear return and exchange policies. If you find all of these aspects satisfactory, buy a crest buckle. The research process can be lengthy, so let us help you with a strong recommendation of “The Utility Kilt.” It is an online, US-based brand, serving the Scottish community worldwide.

FAQs about Clan Crests Buckles