Quote Originally Posted by MacMillan of Rathdown View Post
Sorry, but as "colorful" as the nose wiping story may be, the real reason was practicality. Originally the sleeves were "open" a good way up from the cuff to the elbow which allowed them to be turned back to keep them clean. When folded back down the buttons and flap kept them from flopping about and getting in the way. Nowadays the flaps are purely decorative, rather like the buttons on the sleeve of most men's jackets.
Sorry I disagree, the buttons do hurt, so now I use the aprons of my kilt. This must be a big no-no has people tend to scream at me when I do.