Why aren't tartan trews as popular as kilts when it comes to highland dress?

[Zardoz]

In the U.S. anyway, most people recognize kilts. Outside of groups knowledgable about Scots dress trews just just seem like weird plaid slacks

[Ozark Ridge Rider]

If anyone is interested, there are some real bargains on surplus trews on ebay now.

[Johnny Selkie]

I'd say it's because the kilt has really become an internationally-recognized icon of Scottishness and, for myriad reasons, is seen as a very "sexy" garment. Trews, on the other hand, seem to conjure images of golfers and elderly men, if for no other reason than the fact that tartan trousers are generally shown in those context by the media.

I'm a fan of both kilts and trews, so I find the general perception of trews to be a bit unfortunate, but that is my experience with them.

Ok, that was the impression I got after searching the web as well, thanks for the advice.

It's been said on this forum that trews look their best on a certain body type ("in shape" for lack of better term) whereas the kilt is more forgiving. . . I know one fellow who owns both, and I'd have to concur that this rather portly gentleman looks better kilted!

I happen to have a rather slim figure, but thanks for the advice.

The simple answer is that trews are not Highland attire. They are the attire of lowland Scots.

That was what I thought as well until I read an article on Malcolm Sinclair, Chief Sinclair in a Local Newspaper where he said that the Sinclairs of Caithness used to wear trews, not kilts. How is it nowadays up in the Caithness area and the Islands ? Do most people wear kilts or are trews worn as well?

I had tartan trews as a child and didn't like them.

I still would not wear them myself but each to his own!

I see you have your reasons, but as you just said each man to his own.

In the U.S. anyway, most people recognize kilts. Outside of groups knowledgable about Scots dress trews just just seem like weird plaid slacks

I'm not sure how people feel about trews here in Norway either, but as McClef said earlier in this thread each man to his own.

If anyone is interested, there are some real bargains on surplus trews on ebay now.

Thanks for the advice, but if I'm gonna buy myself a pair I think I'll get some made to measure trews as I think they look smarter and suitable to wear at more formal events.

[Jock Scot]

Johnny S..

I did say "the simple answer"! In truth I know not what and when the Sinclairs of Caithness wore whatever but I can imagine the the Caithness breeze(rarely less than 30MPH, well OK, I exaggerate a tadd) might have influenced the clothing choice. Malcolm is often seen wearing the kilt at functions. Kilts are indeed worn up there these days, but as per usual they normally come out for special occasions. I am a fairly regular visitor to Caithness and I cannot recall seeing a propper set of trews there, I have seen those things that golfers wear from time to time though.

[Tobus]

Even if trews had been a well-established Highland item (or just plain Scottish item), the main reason they didn't catch on in most places is because the 1970s happened.

[macwilkin]

Last year myself and my best friend wore our trews to a gents Burns Supper in a St. Louis hotel -- all of the other attendees were in kilts, and I was surprised at the reaction from folks walking by our room. In general, most folks were very complimentary about the trews. Perhaps it was due to the fact that we were "different" from the kilties -- nowadays, I find myself grabbing the trews for such events rather than the kilt.

The original trews -- triubhas in the Gaelic -- were tight-fitting trousers that were used by the gentry for riding breeches. It wasn't until after Childers reforms in the 1880s that the Lowland regiments began to adopt tartans, and chose trews as an alternative to the Highlander's kilt, although it should be pointed out that Highland regiments did wear them. The most famous example of the former would be the old 93rd (Argyllshire) Highlanders, who donned tartan trews before the Battle of New Orleans in January 1815.

One of the most famous examples of historical trews are the pair associated with the "Ulster Tartan":

http://www.tartansauthority.com/rese...-ulster-tartan

I love my trews and I daresay that I will order another pair before I order another kilt.

T.

[Johnny Selkie]

Johnny S..

I did say "the simple answer"! In truth I know not what and when the Sinclairs of Caithness wore whatever but I can imagine the the Caithness breeze(rarely less than 30MPH, well OK, I exaggerate a tadd) might have influenced the clothing choice. Malcolm is often seen wearing the kilt at functions. Kilts are indeed worn up there these days, but as per usual they normally come out for special occasions. I am a fairly regular visitor to Caithness and I cannot recall seeing a propper set of trews there, I have seen those things that golfers wear from time to time though.

Last August I was fortunate enough to have an informal chat with Chief Sinclair (who happend to be just as interesting and polite as I thought he would be) during the Clan Sinclair international Gathering/400 years commomeration of the Battle of Kringen in August http://www.kringen1612.no/indexENG.htm(offical website) Chief Sinclair and most of his party were wearing kilts, but I (vaguely) remember that one or two wore trews as well. Here in Norway, we have the same weather as up in Caithness, only that its colder (and more Windy at times). We have a tradition for district tartans in Norway and my family (and Norway as a country as well) have several connections to the history of Clan Sinclair. Thats why I thought it would've been a good idea to buy a pair of trews as they can be worn at Norwegian events as well as Scottish ones. I'm in the market for a kilt as well, but living in Norway I think a pair of trews would be a more flexible choice for most events here in Norway and more suitable weatherwise, but again I could be wrong.

Even if trews had been a well-established Highland item (or just plain Scottish item), the main reason they didn't catch on in most places is because the 1970s happened.

Not to mention Rubert the bear, the smartest dressed bear around.

Last year myself and my best friend wore our trews to a gents Burns Supper in a St. Louis hotel -- all of the other attendees were in kilts, and I was surprised at the reaction from folks walking by our room. In general, most folks were very complimentary about the trews. Perhaps it was due to the fact that we were "different" from the kilties -- nowadays, I find myself grabbing the trews for such events rather than the kilt.

The original trews -- triubhas in the Gaelic -- were tight-fitting trousers that were used by the gentry for riding breeches. It wasn't until after Childers reforms in the 1880s that the Lowland regiments began to adopt tartans, and chose trews as an alternative to the Highlander's kilt, although it should be pointed out that Highland regiments did wear them. The most famous example of the former would be the old 93rd (Argyllshire) Highlanders, who donned tartan trews before the Battle of New Orleans in January 1815.

One of the most famous examples of historical trews are the pair associated with the "Ulster Tartan":

http://www.tartansauthority.com/rese...-ulster-tartan

I love my trews and I daresay that I will order another pair before I order another kilt.

T.

Nice to hear that you and your friend got a postive response even when wearing trews (which are only worn by lowlanders and those who dare not to don the kilt according to general opinion), what kind of jacket etc did you wear with the trews? I found the story behind the Ulster tartan to be very interesting as well.

[McClef]

"The 1970s happened."

As in the loons and the flares etc?

[Glasgow girl]

There's nothing more sexy than a man in a kilt. A friend at the gym yesterday was talking about kilts and how he could never wear one. I had to tell him off!! I remember the Highland Games in Dunoon when I was a teenager, it was the most wonderful place, thousands of pipers and men in kilts. 'Nuff said.

[neloon]

In many ways, the tartan trousers business originated with Sir John Sinclair of Ulbster who was justifiably fed up with the Walter Scott/David Stuart of Garth notion that the kilt had been worn by the Celtic tribes of Europe. When he founded the Rothsay and Cathness Fencibles in 1794 he dressed the men in something that was somwhere between true trews and (possibly Gordon) tartan trousers - see the uniform here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Joh...r,_1st_Baronet