Trews or false

[cck]

The trews that I have are made of a tartan fabric with the legs having only an inner seam. Similar to a traditional kilt, the top sits higher on the waist. When visiting historic sites in Scotland I have seen the staff frequently wearing bifurcated garments of a tartan material, but the legs have seams visible on the outer side. The upper part is usually covered by a jacket, so I don't know how it fits. Would these be called trews or tartan trousers? Perhaps my question is, what makes a true trews?

[Carlo]

Maybe the link to the Scottish Tartans Authority helps.

[TheOfficialBren]

I am going to go out on a limb here and say that they were wearing tartan trousers.

[Glen]

The trews that I have are made of a tartan fabric with the legs having only an inner seam. ...Perhaps my question is, what makes a true trews?

Not being an expert, but you probably have true trews.

Trews should be high enough to wear with a kilt jacket and not show waist band or shirt below the jacket, thus are high waisted. Trousers are usually lower in nature, needing a longer jacket. Both belted waists and fishtails can be found on high waisted trews, although fishtails are more common. Fishtails are also found on white tie trousers and mess uniform pants, thus increasing the confusion.

Most trews and tartan trousers have both an inner and outer seams. Some military trews are made with only a single inside seam, which without a picture of the tartan and trews, it is hard to say, but also some civilian trews are made with only the inside seam.

[cck]

In making a tartan kilt great pains are taken to see that the pattern is centered, the pleats all match and/or maintain the intended pattern. When a pants leg has a seam on the outside the tartan design is disrupted. I was wondering if the same type of care was followed in making trews. Of all the trouser-type garments I have, even those with some design in the fabric, only the trews have no external seam. With as much pattern as you have in a tartan, it certainly makes it look better.

[TheOfficialBren]

I have always liked the look of trews and tartan trousers. I would own a pair of either in a New York minute.

[Elf]

(this may be playing the devil's advocate, but here it goes) Two hundred years ago I would ask do the the "fit" or "hang?" Since then our use of "trousers" and "pants" has changed. Here on the forum, we are continually dancing around this issue as we use historical terms both in a modern way and the original sense. So it may be more revealing not to ask how many seams, but do they pull up at the knee when astride a horse? If they do, they are trousers. If they accomodate in the seat, they are trews. Of course, modern usage I expect to be totally different. Thank you for openning this issue, maybe someone can answer in the modern sense.

[piperdbh]

In the US, tartan trousers are more commonly seen than trews.

[TheOfficialBren]

How about a North Carolina minute? I have a pair of Royal Stewart trousers, 34 waist, 30 length, a pair of black Stewart trousers, 36 waist, 32 length, and a pair of Black Watch trousers, 36 waist, 32 length. $35 US for the set and I'll pay shipping.

Wow! PM sent.

[cck]

(this may be playing the devil's advocate, but here it goes) Two hundred years ago I would ask do the the "fit" or "hang?" Since then our use of "trousers" and "pants" has changed. Here on the forum, we are continually dancing around this issue as we use historical terms both in a modern way and the original sense. So it may be more revealing not to ask how many seams, but do they pull up at the knee when astride a horse? If they do, they are trousers. If they accomodate in the seat, they are trews. Of course, modern usage I expect to be totally different. Thank you for openning this issue, maybe someone can answer in the modern sense.

This is getting more complicated. Give me a little time to locate a horse.