RRS tartan sett

[acolander]

What was the motivation behind lightening the sett's colors for the new regiment? Simply to help create a historical break with the old units?

Not really a break.. as the current tartan worn (Tartan 1A) is essentially what was previously worn by officers of the A&SH for nearly the last 100yrs or so, which was essentially a higher quality (hence lighter shade) & lighter (16-18oz worsted) material than the coarser & heavier (20-22oz) material worn by OR/ Other Ranks. Which isn't to say the OR of the BW and A&SH wore the same tartan, as Tartan 1A is a slightly larger and lighter sett of the Government Tartan even for OR material.

And w/ box pleats, the new RRS kilts are essentially identical to A&SH officer's kilts (note also the black trim vs the green), but w/ Black Watch Gaelic knots/bows in lieu of the A&SH kilt panel & rosettes.

The new RRS uniform is not necessarily "new", it is bits & pieces of the previous Scottish regiments, the kilt to the A&SH, the knots and sporran cantle to the BW, tassels and spats of the Gordons, Off/SNCO blue shirt & jumper of the RHF, cock's feather & collar badges of the RS, to note a few...

More recently the uniforms of the British Army are being "standardised" w/ resepct to Officers & ORs. Traditionally officer's kit would be tailored and of a higher quality material overall, and hence there has almost always been a slight difference of shade/cut/etc between the two uniforms.

Under current uniform changes both officers & OR are wearing the same No2 dress jackets, trousers, kilts, trews, etc., with the newly introduced uniforms essentially being same/similar materials previously tailored for officers, but now mass produced for all.

Cheers,
Christian