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

[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.

[macwilkin]

Since it was a "black tie" Burns Night, I wore my regulation doublet (basically a Prince Charlie with tashes, or flaps). My friend wore his standard Prince Charlie. Given that this event usually goes 4-5 hours (sometimes even longer -- serious Burnsians), the trews were far more practical and comfortable for sitting long periods of time.

T.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Trews are indeed Highland dress. But what most people call "trews" these days are actually tartan trousers.

These are trews.




Granted, these are romanticized portraits of the nineteenth century, but they accurately portray what the Gaelic trews were -- close fitting tights with the tartan on the bias (for more elasticity in the cloth).

Today these are not worn, but their modern equivalent are the formal "fish tail" military trews. These are close fitting, very tailored, and the best ones have no visible outside seams. Here are some photos from various retail and other sites.




What most people refer to incorrectly as trews (myself often included) are tartan trousers. These are, as the name implies, simply men's trousers made from tartan cloth. This is what I believe Jock is referring to as not being Highland attire. I suppose, strictly speaking, they are not. However, they do look sharp with Highland dress! I own a pair and enjoy wearing them. Though I will admit I usually wear my kilt when attending a Scottish function. I tend to wear my tartan trousers when I want to add a bit of tartan flair to an otherwise saxon outfit.

[McClef]

"The 1970s happened."

As in the loons and the flares etc?

[Johnny Selkie]

Since it was a "black tie" Burns Night, I wore my regulation doublet (basically a Prince Charlie with tashes, or flaps). My friend wore his standard Prince Charlie. Given that this event usually goes 4-5 hours (sometimes even longer -- serious Burnsians), the trews were far more practical and comfortable for sitting long periods of time.

T.

Thanks for the info, sounds you made a good choice for that particular night then.

[Johnny Selkie]

Trews are indeed Highland dress. But what most people call "trews" these days are actually tartan trousers.

These are trews.




Granted, these are romanticized portraits of the nineteenth century, but they accurately portray what the Gaelic trews were -- close fitting tights with the tartan on the bias (for more elasticity in the cloth).

Today these are not worn, but their modern equivalent are the formal "fish tail" military trews. These are close fitting, very tailored, and the best ones have no visible outside seams. Here are some photos from various retail and other sites.




What most people refer to incorrectly as trews (myself often included) are tartan trousers. These are, as the name implies, simply men's trousers made from tartan cloth. This is what I believe Jock is referring to as not being Highland attire. I suppose, strictly speaking, they are not. However, they do look sharp with Highland dress! I own a pair and enjoy wearing them. Though I will admit I usually wear my kilt when attending a Scottish function. I tend to wear my tartan trousers when I want to add a bit of tartan flair to an otherwise saxon outfit.

Thanks for all that info, are modern fish tail trews considered to be proper highland attire? And are they only to be worn at formal events?
I think that I see some similarities between the way the socks are being held up in the last picture you just showed me and the fellow in this picture wearing the Bunad (traditional folk costume) from the Valdres District in Norway.http://www.bunadmestern.no/Bunader/M...dres/foto3.jpg

[llyd]

^What they said....but comma however...on this side of the atlantic, it has been my experience, that put in terms of the age old barnyard dance...chicks dig kilts.

[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.

[A Hay]

A couple of years ago Matt Newsome put out a notice he had a pair of tartan trousers that a customer declined. I obtained them, even though I had no association with the Clan. I wanted to see what they looked like on me.
As Matt pointed out in his earlier post, they are not trews, but only trousers. What think ye?






Any guesses as to the tartan?

As Cajunscot mentioned, I have worn them from time to time when I wanted something less showy than a kilt.

Tom