John Brown's Outfit to go on display

[figheadair]

From today's Scotman. Some pre-publicity for the NMS' forthcoming Wild and Majestic exhibtion. The outfit is on loan from the STA.

W&M-1.jpg

[OC Richard]

Here he is wearing a similar, though not identical, doublet.



Quick Googling shows numerous photos of him in this very outfit, possibly all taken at the same "shoot", but none of him wearing the doublet shown in the magazine photo in the post above.

What I find interesting, in terms of the evolution of Highland Dress, is the appearance of John Brown and the Royal Piper William Ross in the 1860s-1870s wearing doublets fully trimmed in metallic lace/braid.

Interesting because such doublets were rare at that time, but later, around 1900, became enormously popular.

BTW the tassels on his sporran are strangely attenuated, which one does see sometimes in the mid-19th century.

[figheadair]

It's quite possible that it's the same kilt too. The one going on display is huge, made from a heavy worsted cloth and include a hem.

The sporran in the photo is very, typical of the style slightly earlier in the 19th century. The one sold with the kilt is nice but narrower and with a different cantle, no Royal cipher for one thing.