Can any kilt fiends identify this uniform's age and origin? (Photo heavy.)

[WillowEstate]

Well, if it is a woman's kilt it may have been cut like a man's kilt. I found this image, which is far to large to do more than link to.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7Se7iswAan...regon_pipe.jpg

picture is c.1965 of the Clan McClay Pipe Band in Portland, OR. The photo looks like it has been flipped as every member of the band is carrying their pipes in their right arms. And their kilt pins are on the left side.

I flipped over the picture and reduced its size to more reasonable proportions - does that look better? The woman does seem to be wearing a regular man's kilt, as you say, not the same proportions as the OP's.

Flipped.jpg

As to the OP's original pictures, Bluebonnet's suggestion seems very reasonable, except that the kilt looks a bit long for dancing. What are the actual measurements, waist, length, sleeve length on the jacket and maybe sock size? The proportions still look rather odd, though.

I'm wondering if it might be an outfit made for a movie of some sort - the anomalies could be put down to "artistic license"?

[bluebonnet]

I flipped over the picture and reduced its size to more reasonable proportions - does that look better? The woman does seem to be wearing a regular man's kilt, as you say, not the same proportions as the OP's.

Flipped.jpg

As to the OP's original pictures, Bluebonnet's suggestion seems very reasonable, except that the kilt looks a bit long for dancing. What are the actual measurements, waist, length, sleeve length on the jacket and maybe sock size? The proportions still look rather odd, though.

I'm wondering if it might be an outfit made for a movie of some sort - the anomalies could be put down to "artistic license"?

If it is a dance kilt, it was probably made to have a higher rise so that it would fit for a longer time and not show the blouse when the dancer's arms are raised above their head or pulled out when dancing a reel. Wee girls tend grow up not out - waist and hips are pretty much remain the same from 8-12 yo - not much changes in the fell. They do tend to grow up until they are past their puberty. Many of my dancing kilts had it tucked under my armpits and held up with a set of braces to allow for growth - just drop the kilt down. (the trend back then was also to sew an undershirt onto the kilt to keep it in place - could be removed easily if the girl grew.)

Just have a look at any of the old Scottish Board books on dancing dress regs and you'll see where this outfit fit in and the time era.

[jhockin]

Brings to mind the logo of MacDonald's Export A ( and others) cigarettes:
http://www.jimsburntofferings.com/ad...aldlassie.html

[GildedLocks]

Ah, thanks so much for all of your responses, I'm surprised at so much discussion within only a day! It definitely does look like the montrose doublets I'm seeing on google image.

I'm pretty sure it's a womens garment; the doublet has about a 25 inch waist and a 33 inch bust and is quite narrow in the shoulders. If its a mans outfit he's got a pretty skinny, shapely figure.

This is the kicker though; the doublet measures 18" from shoulder to waist, so our hypothetical woman was really tall, probably between 5'9"-6' and very slim. She must have made a pretty striking appearance.

This would explain the high rise of the skirt; my mannequin's adjusted to fit my own short 5'3" frame so this isn't immediately apparent in the photos. My mannequin can't even adjust long enough or slim enough to fit the doublet, hence why I photographed it on a hanger.

The sleeves, however are not unusually long in my book at 22" from shoulder to cuff (seems rather too short considering the length of the bodice panels). I'm not sure how to size socks, but they are roughly 15" from top to heel and 10" from heel to toe, so probably around a womens US 8.5 shoe size.

The idea of it being a film costume is really exciting! However, the extensive wear and sweat damage in the lining and exceptionally high quality of construction sort of dissuades me from this theory... Even among the many vintage and antique clothes in my wardrobe, this is of the best quality of anything I own. I have a hard time seeing it as a garment that was to be worn only a few times. The wool and velvet are very thick, the lining pattern is quite complex and the doublet appears to be interfaced with horsehair canvas. I think this is the work of a fairly experienced tailor. Perhaps this quality is typical of highland dress though?

I also just noticed that the doublet has tiny snaps on the insides of the sleeve cuff, presumably for attaching lace cuffs. Is this usual for this kind of jacket?

Thanks again, very excited to see if anyone has more information on this.

[GildedLocks]

I guess the tartan is called the "Fraser Ancient Hunting tartan"; not sure if that has any meaningful significance.

http://www.lochcarron.com/tartan/fra...g_ancient.html