Those loops of ribbon on the sides.....

**slohairt** · 15th February 10, 08:32 AM

It's also interesting to note the off-white lining of those kilts. It's something you used to see all the time but I seldom get requests for it. Everyone usually wants black, unless the kilt is being made from a dancing tartan.

**JSFMACLJR** · 15th February 10, 08:45 AM

Originally Posted by slohairt

It's also interesting to note the off-white lining of those kilts. It's something you used to see all the time but I seldom get requests for it. Everyone usually wants black, unless the kilt is being made from a dancing tartan.

I've noticed this too! All of our old kilts have white linings. The three kilts I have had made in the last 15 years all have black. If I had thought about it, I would have told them to use white.

I wonder why this is?

**longhuntr74** · 15th February 10, 09:22 AM

Originally Posted by JSFMACLJR

I've noticed this too! All of our old kilts have white linings. The three kilts I have had made in the last 15 years all have black. If I had thought about it, I would have told them to use white.

I wonder why this is?

I think it's pretty simple. White shows dirt and sweat and gets yellowed over time. Since laundering of the kilt is something that is not typically done on a regular basis, makers have migrated to dark linings to hide visible signs of dirtiness.

As I have a love of history and vintage, I will be tempted to use white when I make a kilt I think.

**slohairt** · 15th February 10, 12:24 PM

Originally Posted by longhuntr74

I think it's pretty simple. White shows dirt and sweat and gets yellowed over time. Since laundering of the kilt is something that is not typically done on a regular basis, makers have migrated to dark linings to hide visible signs of dirtiness.

As I have a love of history and vintage, I will be tempted to use white when I make a kilt I think.

Oh, undoubtedly. For the modern kiltie who habitually wears his kilt with his shirt untucked, this is especially noticeable. However, if the lining is off-white to begin with (and it usually is) than it isn't too much of a problem with your shirt tucked in. I use an off-white lining in my personal kilts just because I like the way it looks, but as I previously wrote, all of my (non-dancing) customers request black.

**Arlen** · 16th February 10, 08:34 AM

Originally Posted by JSFMACLJR

I've noticed this too! All of our old kilts have white linings. The three kilts I have had made in the last 15 years all have black. If I had thought about it, I would have told them to use white.

I wonder why this is?

Both of my older Kilts have off while linings and my more recent ones have black.
I've noticed that stains do show terribly on the white ones after I have been dancing a lot. (At a workshop or ball / at a dance demo etc)

I can never decide whether or not I am glad to see the stains and know to clean them or to have them hidden by the black and never know how dirty they are!

**Phil** · 16th February 10, 09:58 AM

To get back to the OP, I seem to remember reading somewhere that these loops of ribbon-like material were originally for soldiers to hang their kilts up in a tent while away campaigning. They wouldn't have had wardrobes and hangers there.

**Lallans** · 16th February 10, 11:03 AM

The little loops are for hanging, they just are not useful for hanging- my belief is that they are a survival from ancient times (pre WWII) when kilts weighed less than they do now, ie before 8 yards became the standard for civilians.

But the large loops! I was taught they are for the belt, not the sporran and that the sporran chain or strap is NEVER threaded through them! That's what we do here! Is there a concensus on this suddenly vital issue? Where does one go for the last word???

**longhuntr74** · 16th February 10, 03:47 PM

Originally Posted by Canuck of NI

The little loops are for hanging, they just are not useful for hanging- my belief is that they are a survival from ancient times (pre WWII) when kilts weighed less than they do now, ie before 8 yards became the standard for civilians.

But the large loops! I was taught they are for the belt, not the sporran and that the sporran chain or strap is NEVER threaded through them! That's what we do here! Is there a concensus on this suddenly vital issue? Where does one go for the last word???

Actually, the concensus is the opposite from your understanding. The rear loops are for the sporran strap, not the belt...or so I've learned on this forum. Some use them for both, some for just the sporran strap/chain, and some prefer no loops at all.

Has the OP logged back in yet to explain exactly which loops he was referring too? Lots of great discussion here about both the back loops and the hanging loops...I think we've answered his question either way.

**Lallans** · 18th February 10, 07:46 AM

Originally Posted by longhuntr74

Actually, the concensus is the opposite from your understanding. The rear loops are for the sporran strap, not the belt...or so I've learned on this forum. Some use them for both, some for just the sporran strap/chain, and some prefer no loops at all.

Has the OP logged back in yet to explain exactly which loops he was referring too? Lots of great discussion here about both the back loops and the hanging loops...I think we've answered his question either way.

I see that major discussion of the belt-vs-sporran-through-the-loops thing is taking place on another string, generally speaking with Scots and Canadians on one side and Americans on the other. Interesting, but clearly there is no right answer until a law gets passed!