Elastic pleat-keepers in military kilts

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 23rd August 12, 01:43 PM

Originally Posted by Tobus

Hmm, very interesting! I was sort of hoping this was one of those things that individuals added to their uniforms as a sort of field-expedient solution. But it appears not. I wonder who ordered the kilts. Were these ordered by regimental supply personnel specific to a unit, or in larger bulk orders by an acquisitions department? I guess what I'm getting at is that if these were put in by the kilt makers, I would assume they were specified in the order. You mention that you see them in all the Seaforth kilts, but what about others, like Gordons? It would be interesting to know if this was a Seaforth-specific addition, and if so, why. Someone was behind it.

Not that it makes any huge difference in the world, but still, little details of military history like this are interesting. Someone may find it useful in a hundred years.

I have this nagging feeling in the back of my mind that maybe the Queens Own Cameronians also had this sort of elastic, but I'm not sure. Could just be the Seaforths. I bet others here on the board will chime in.

**ThistleDown** · 23rd August 12, 04:35 PM

Originally Posted by M. A. C. Newsome

I have this nagging feeling in the back of my mind that maybe the Queens Own Cameronians also had this sort of elastic, but I'm not sure. Could just be the Seaforths. I bet others here on the board will chime in.

Just a wee correction, Matt. Two separate regiments, the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders and The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles). The former based at Cameron Barracks, Inverness, with a Highland recruiting area and the latter with a Borders base. The former eventually combined with the Seaforths to form the Queen's Own Highlanders and then the QOH with the Gordons in the mid-1990s.

**sailortats** · 23rd August 12, 05:02 PM

Tobus, I, for one, would not take out the elastic band. You bought this military kilt because that is what you wanted, a military kilt. By taking out the elastic band you are altering this kilt and turning it into something that is no longer a Seaforth - Queens own Highlanders kilt but a kilt that is now similar but not the same as the military kilt. This kilt was part of a uniform and should not be altered is my way of looking at it.

**Spartan Tartan** · 23rd August 12, 05:18 PM

Oh man...that is too cool! I would not take out that elastic either. I agree, Tobus, it would be interesting to hear the thoughts or the discussion that resulted in the choice to add the elastic.

**Tobus** · 23rd August 12, 06:49 PM

Originally Posted by sailortats

Tobus, I, for one, would not take out the elastic band. You bought this military kilt because that is what you wanted, a military kilt. By taking out the elastic band you are altering this kilt and turning it into something that is no longer a Seaforth - Queens own Highlanders kilt but a kilt that is now similar but not the same as the military kilt. This kilt was part of a uniform and should not be altered is my way of looking at it.

Honestly, that was my first instinct as well. I'm a collector of militaria, especially of the type we're not allowed to discuss here.

And one of the biggest rules on collectible military items is that you do not alter it from its original configuration, or even attempt to "restore" it. So my gut reaction was not to do anything about the elastic on this kilt.

But...

At the end of the day, I didn't buy this as a collector's piece. It's not exactly a rare antique that should be enshrined in a museum. It is, after all, an article of clothing that I intend to wear. I wanted a 'real' military box-pleated kilt, built to military standards. The elastic band isn't really something I think the kilt needs in order to be an authentic military style kilt. And in many ways, I think the kilt will be improved for civilian use without the elastic band (since I don't do parades or drills, and I'm not subject to inspections). If it inhibits the swish of the kilt, I may be better off without it.

Your point is well taken, though, and that's why I'm still debating it in my own head. It's a unique functional addition to a classic design and seems to be a standard item for the Seaforth QOH. But if it makes me not want to wear it because it doesn't perform like I expect it to, then I'll have to give it some pretty serious thought.

**Downunder Kilt** · 23rd August 12, 06:59 PM

Tobus, in your last post you answered your own question "I wanted a 'real' military box-pleated kilt, built to military standards."
Take out the elastic and you will not have what you wanted.

**Tobus** · 23rd August 12, 07:03 PM

Well, wait a minute. Not all military kilts have this. Not even all Seaforth kilts have this. I wasn't expecting it to be there when I bought it. So if I take it out, do I not have what I wanted? Or do I not have a military kilt?

**Friday** · 23rd August 12, 07:26 PM

First of all I believe that Matt's statement that this was probably included by the kilt maker is correct. However, when it comes to the military, and I believe all military units regardless of country, uniformity does not necessarily manufactured that way. Some Sargent Major 20 years ago might have gotten the idea to add the elastic. The Sargent Major then told all of his troops to add then elastic strips. The idea then filter up through the unit to higher command at which point the entire unit is told to add the strip.

Rather than change the specification requirements for new kilts it may have been easier to have the supply Sargent order elastic and have the troops install the strap. Before long it just becomes part of the units standard operating procedures, receive a new issue kilt and sew in elastic strap 5 inches (xx CM) above the selvage.

As an example look at the blocking of the United States (US) Army beret. IMHO it is the ugliest blocked hat I have ever seen. The beret is not ordered that way it is blocked by the individual wearer in a very specific way to look like every other beret in the US Army. IMHO Ugly but uniformly ugly.

Once again, from the looks of the picture I would say it was installed by the kilt maker.

**Downunder Kilt** · 23rd August 12, 09:23 PM

Originally Posted by Tobus

Well, wait a minute. Not all military kilts have this. Not even all Seaforth kilts have this. I wasn't expecting it to be there when I bought it. So if I take it out, do I not have what I wanted? Or do I not have a military kilt?

I believe Robert MacDonald, kiltmaker of Westcoast kilts makes his military kilts to old war office specs (standards), perhaps a email to him will sort out whether the elastic is to military spec (standards) or not

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 23rd August 12, 06:06 PM

Originally Posted by ThistleDown

Just a wee correction, Matt. Two separate regiments, the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders and The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles). The former based at Cameron Barracks, Inverness, with a Highland recruiting area and the latter with a Borders base. The former eventually combined with the Seaforths to form the Queen's Own Highlanders and then the QOH with the Gordons in the mid-1990s.

Thanks for the correction, I meant the former, but my fingers got the best of me. :-)