Ex-Army MOD kilts

[cgordon]

I've been perusing some of the folks selling ex-Army, Highland Regiment kilts.

For instance:
~ http://www.ancestralkilts.co.uk/
~ http://houseoflabhran.net/

Is it just me or are all of today's Highlanders sort of wee little men? Waist sizes range up to a whopping 30 inches, if that!

I have actually seen a couple of Black Watch kilts for sale with 84 cm waists (33 in), but by and large (or small) they're running more like 26-31 inches.

OK, even when I was IN the Army, my smallest waist size was about 34 inches, and some of these kilts actually run as small as 70 cm (about 27 in)!

Are the Highlanders smaller than average or what?

Some very interesting kilts and accesories, though.

Fortunately, for anyone looking for a regiment-style kilt, the fellow over at What Price Glory (http://whatpriceglory.com/scot.htm) is selling kilt reproductions at a very reasonable price (no I don't work for 'em or own a WPG kilt ... yet). Currently, he's advertising Black Watch, Gordon, Seaforth and Cameron, in even waist sizes from 32 to 50 inches.

Chuck

[Alaskan]

I couldn't find any dates on the first site, but the second site says "Some of the earlier kilts can be found in a 20oz cloth and often the OR's kilts from that pre WW2 period did not have the buckle and strap on the left hand side, only the right" If they are selling kilts that were originally made in that period... everyone was smaller then.

[Rob]

Is it just me or are all of today's Highlanders sort of wee little men? Waist sizes range up to a whopping 30 inches, if that!

I have actually seen a couple of Black Watch kilts for sale with 84 cm waists (33 in), but by and large (or small) they're running more like 26-31 inches.

OK, even when I was IN the Army, my smallest waist size was about 34 inches, and some of these kilts actually run as small as 70 cm (about 27 in)!

Are the Highlanders smaller than average or what?

cgordon,

I would be extremely suspicious of claims of military kilts in those sizes. Modern day Highlanders are certainly not that small. They sound like young teenage sizes to me, and thesefore not real regimental kilts.

Rob

[elijah]

I bought my surplus military kilt through http://www.whatpriceglory.com. They have a wide variety of sizes there.

[Hamish]

I bought my surplus military kilt through http://www.whatpriceglory.com. They have a wide variety of sizes there.

Yes, Elijah, but they appear to admit that most of the British kit they sell is 'reproduction' - not of genuine ex-British military origin.

[Robbie]

One of the main points to remember when buying an ex-MOD kilt is that these are always designed to be worn with the top of the kilt just under the ribcage and not at normal waist (trouser) line. Sometimes the seller includes this extra 2" or so in the description of the kilt length, sometimes not, so be absolutely sure you're both talking about the same measurement!

[Seaforth Piper]

We have a simular problem in the Battalion (Seaforth Highlanders of Canada) but it's because that the recruits/cadets soon grow out of the wee kilts, and the the kilts in 'normal' or 'grownup' sizes are continually in service until they wear out. Consequently we have a big pile of kilts in QM that don't fit anyone.

We're experimenting with ways to 'splice' two of the dwarf kilts to make one 'biggie' - also we keep a role of 22oz kilt-cloth on hand to make kilts for the troops as needed.

[Kilted KT]

everyone was smaller in the past. Before the advent of McDonalds and other such fast food, and growth hormones in most everything we eat. I wouldn't be suprised if in a genration or two a 36-inch waist is considered anorexic!!

[mkmound]

We have a simular problem in the Battalion (Seaforth Highlanders of Canada) but it's because that the recruits/cadets soon grow out of the wee kilts, and the the kilts in 'normal' or 'grownup' sizes are continually in service until they wear out. Consequently we have a big pile of kilts in QM that don't fit anyone.

We're experimenting with ways to 'splice' two of the dwarf kilts to make one 'biggie' - also we keep a role of 22oz kilt-cloth on hand to make kilts for the troops as needed.

So are you a member of the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada?

[Planopiper]

Why would you want to splice 2 kilts together? Can't you just take out the lining and let out one or 2 pleats on the ends? That's how my wife adjusted a Black Watch kilt for me. It's one of my best kilts.