Hodden Gray kilt fabric...where?

**NorCalPiper** · 8th May 11, 09:03 PM

I saw on another forum a member who has scored a vintage, still basted London Scottish kilt from the 50's. I get a jones for this style about once a year, and its once again reared its head again for this year. I've never really looked for it, but I never see it marketed to the general public. Since it is a distinct regimental color, I assume its woven special for London and Toronto Scottish regiments. I guess I just answered my question, but does anyone know where to get this fabric?

**figheadair** · 9th May 11, 12:14 AM

Originally Posted by NorCalPiper

I saw on another forum a member who has scored a vintage, still basted London Scottish kilt from the 50's. I get a jones for this style about once a year, and its once again reared its head again for this year. I've never really looked for it, but I never see it marketed to the general public. Since it is a distinct regimental color, I assume its woven special for London and Toronto Scottish regiments. I guess I just answered my question, but does anyone know where to get this fabric?

Have you tried the Regiments themselves. They often have excess clothing and/or know where you might find one.

The modern cloth differs from the older, pre-1960s, cloth in that the recent weave has a much more purple hue compared with the original which was browner. I have a cWWI London Scottish kilt that I will post an image of when I get time.

**Hothir Ethelnor** · 9th May 11, 06:05 AM

Can anyone comment on the weave and yarn. Is it a tweed? is the cloth worsted woven twill or is it felted like coat wool, or?

**MacSpadger** · 9th May 11, 12:27 PM

The pinkish/purple tones have come out a bit vivid in this pic. I don't really know what terminology to use to describe the Hodden Grey, it's a bit like an old fashioned blanket?

**figheadair** · 9th May 11, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by Hothir Ethelnor

Can anyone comment on the weave and yarn. Is it a tweed? is the cloth worsted woven twill or is it felted like coat wool, or?

Worsted twill weave and yes, technically it's a tweed rather than a tartan as incidentally was the original Balmoral 'tartan'. The modern cloth is more felted than the older stuff, probably because they changed the wool type.

**English Bloke** · 9th May 11, 02:07 PM

I really want a hodden grey kilt sooooo badly.

That and a Tyneside Scottish (see this thread from Chris (Redshank) of Dunadd Trading Co.)

Never seen a hodden grey for sale anywhere and as Josh says the fabric is not generally available.

**Woodsheal** · 9th May 11, 02:42 PM

Hodden grey wool was historically a "common man's" fabric, woven of undyed dark and light yarns, and used for coarse garb such as soldiers' and sailors' coats, etc.

The twill-weave kersey "mixed grey" here would work, and at 22 oz. would make a substantial kilt:

http://www.wmboothdraper.com/store/i...roducts_id=695

**Bing** · 9th May 11, 03:10 PM

I happen to have a friend/occasional drinking mate who is a Major in the Toronto Scottish and even he won't get the fabric for me.

**NorCalPiper** · 11th May 11, 10:24 AM

OK.....So I spoke with this "source" early this morning and I have struck out again. This person had 60 Hodden Gray kilts that were surplus, but he sold them off on ebay over tha last 3 years......So no luck there. I have yet to hear from either of the regiments as well. What about custom weaving? Is there a secret science to their coloring (pink, gray, fawn undertones?). This is turning into a fun challenge...

**NorCalPiper** · 11th May 11, 10:43 AM

OK.....More info. I found this at the STA-
Hodden Grey and is woven by Johnstons of Elgin for the Regiment. Confusingly there is a quite separate London Regiment tartan at #6097.
The graphic here does not represent the fabric but is just a ‘space-filler’ since this computer programme can’t display marled fabrics.

I went to their web site, and they seem to be a large retail chain, with no apparent contact. Quest keeps on!