Pulled the trigger - 1948 Thomas Gordon & son. Kilt

[EndTheTrendNow]

Well just ordered my first Kilt. A 1948 Thomas Gordon & son. - Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders.

So this one comes without straps and buckles. I have read that they made strapless/no buckle types in the world wars, well at least in ww2.

If I do decide to attach straps and buckles any suggestions on where to get them and how to do it?

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[The Wizard of BC]

You can get straps and buckles from almost any kiltmaker. Or, if you choose, get them from the same place many of us do.

www.highlandxpress.com

But a small word of caution. I would plan a visit to a reputable kiltmaker in the near future. A kilt this old will more than likely suffer from some degradation of the cotton thread and cotton interfacings used all those years ago.

More than likely the stitching that holds the stabilizer and interfacing is gone or about to go. If it is gone you will destroy this kilt after just a few wearings.
If the stitching is still intact but weak it may last a year.
There really is no sure way to tell without removing the lining and taking a look. That is not a hard job and won't hurt anything. But looking will save you the heartache of wearing the kilt and having this happen.

This is a 1958 Gordon and Son's kilt where the stabilizer and interfacing, while worn, were still intact. But the cotton thread holding everything together just got old and failed.



This failure happened very suddenly. Within just a few days. As the old poem says "All at once, and nothing first. Just a bubbles do when they burst."

In this photo of the inside of the same kilt you can see that the black cotton thread has just worn out over time.



I don't want to cause you any alarm. This kilt looks to be in great shape. But at the first sign of what will feel like the kilt getting looser over one wearing, get it to a kiltmaker as soon as you can. The same goes if you notice even one pleat coming undone or any distortion of the outer Tartan fabric.

Like anything 67 years old the materials used were not the modern synthetics we rely on today. A 67 year old car will have much the same issues. You would not take a 1948 Buick out on the freeway and try to do 80 miles an hour without taking it to a reputable antique car mechanic for a check up first. Heck the rubber used for tires in 1948 could not take sustained 80 miles an hour when new.

[Charles Exton]

You can get straps and buckles from almost any kiltmaker. Or, if you choose, get them from the same place many of us do.

www.highlandxpress.com

But a small word of caution. I would plan a visit to a reputable kiltmaker in the near future. A kilt this old will more than likely suffer from some degradation of the cotton thread and cotton interfacings used all those years ago.

More than likely the stitching that holds the stabilizer and interfacing is gone or about to go. If it is gone you will destroy this kilt after just a few wearings.
If the stitching is still intact but weak it may last a year.
There really is no sure way to tell without removing the lining and taking a look. That is not a hard job and won't hurt anything. But looking will save you the heartache of wearing the kilt and having this happen.

This is a 1958 Gordon and Son's kilt where the stabilizer and interfacing, while worn, were still intact. But the cotton thread holding everything together just got old and failed.



This failure happened very suddenly. Within just a few days. As the old poem says "All at once, and nothing first. Just a bubbles do when they burst."

In this photo of the inside of the same kilt you can see that the black cotton thread has just worn out over time.



I don't want to cause you any alarm. This kilt looks to be in great shape. But at the first sign of what will feel like the kilt getting looser over one wearing, get it to a kiltmaker as soon as you can. The same goes if you notice even one pleat coming undone or any distortion of the outer Tartan fabric.

Like anything 67 years old the materials used were not the modern synthetics we rely on today. A 67 year old car will have much the same issues. You would not take a 1948 Buick out on the freeway and try to do 80 miles an hour without taking it to a reputable antique car mechanic for a check up first. Heck the rubber used for tires in 1948 could not take sustained 80 miles an hour when new.

12140596_924543764281449_2073875703004886417_n.jpg
I had a similar problem, I have since replaced the stabilizer and stitching
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I'm now waiting on some canvas and new lining material to come

I'm confident enough in my sewing ability to do this myself, if it works huzzah!, if not, oh well my own fault (i would definitely suggest sending it to a kiltmaker rather than DIYing it)

[Profane James]

Well just ordered my first Kilt. A 1948 Thomas Gordon & son. - Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders.

Great find! My first (only) kilt is a what I assume is a reproduction Gordon Modern regimental, could be of SOME vintage, but not too much. I do know the buckles were replaced. I was on the hunt for a vintage version, but this one 'chose me' as they say. I personally like the really high waist fit it has - reminds me of a zoot suit I had years ago.

[EndTheTrendNow]

Thanks for the advice.

[Profane James]

Sorry, I failed to mention mine is also made by Thomas Gordon & Sons - my enthusiasm probably makes more sense now!

[IsaacW]

This is a Black Watch (Government sett) made by T. Gordon and Son. It is likely a full regimental 22 oz. Pretty AWESOME!!!

IW

[Profane James]

Right on! The seller wasn't exactly sure of the weight, but mine feels like a 10 pound dumbbell! It needs a proper hanger, it's about to snap the one it's using now.