Question about the question?

[McFarkus]

When asked the question, I generally just reply "shoes and socks" whether I'm regimental or not. I think it's good to preserved the mystery. One answer I heard recently which it rather topical is "your stimulus package."

[sathor]

I will honestly say that to make sure noone can complain at work and I offend noone while walking, I wear something under there. Now at home is an entirely different set of rules. Some days I do good to wear anything at all.

Thats why I got a SWK thrifty, easy to toss on if I need to go past the poorly covered windows. Many of the same benefits.

[MacConnachie]

It really does depend on the situation. If I'm to be dancing in any way that brings the bottoms of my feet at or near the level of my knees, for modesty's sake, I'll wear boxers. Usually that means colored silk (if I can find them) that are a relatively close match colorwise to the main colors in the kilt. On windy days with a casual kilt (lighter weight, and less fabric in the pleats), definitely some undergarment is recommended. If you have a woolen kilt and are not used to the procedures or sensations, then you may wish to pin a soft cotton cloth or chamois to the inner face of the inner apron, so that a particularly sensitive part of the anatomy does not receive a friction burn from the kilt. In addition, if you're planning on slogging around a Hielan' games on a warm/hot day when the chance of perspiration is relatively high, you may wish to wear an undergarment so that you don't develop a close, personal friendship with a condition I refer to as "Private Chafee."

Otherwise, going natural provides one with a more intimate sense of air currents and other natural phenomena, for starters.

[Makeitstop]

There is sort of a "myth" that kilted men never wear underwear. A lot of people ask the question wondering if its true or just because its fun.

I sometimes give witty replies, but after wearing a kilt regularly for a while, I've also gotten used to it and sometimes just tell the truth.

What you wear is up to you. I usually wear underwear because:

I don't have to wash my kilts as often when the dirtiest, smelliest bits are covered
I never know when there will be a sudden risk of exposure (happens to me more than others)
Because when I'm regimental, I get a little too frisky for my own good.
Loose boxer-briefs are not that bad.

[Deano]

Thanks guys. Some good info here.

[Zardoz]

"your stimulus package."

Best response ever!

[The Barry]

When I'm unbifurcated, I go unbifurcated all the way. If I'm going to be dancing, running, anything exciting, I would wear underwear. But when I'm kilted, it's usually formal, semi-formal, etc., not for anything active, so I'm usually "regimental", "commando", "free from the tyranny of bifurcation", etc.

[Malcolm MacWilliam]

Most historians agree that "underwear" as we know it was not used regularly until the 1840s or so. Men's shirts were long and covered the front and back of their torsos. In fact, they sometimes pinned the bottom together between their legs. In the 18th century, my time period, when knee breeches were the only thing known, other than kilts, in the European/American areas (Native Americans were wearing breech clouts, long piece of material that went between the legs, belted with flap in front and flap behind, usually flap behind was longer, and I wear clout at times....but I digress).....anyway, so no underwear with knee breeches, although some have said that Jefferson wore something...cause of a short French fashion influence....!! So, in 18th century wear with kilt, we have long shirts. When I do programs and the question is asked, I can reach under the kilt just a bit and show my white long shirt to show that it does extend to cover rear and front. I guess that's enough info. So, for me.....only shirts and shoes are under....and in our regiment....I can attest to the same for all my lads...NOT that we check, but it would be noticed (windy weather, working around camp, etc.) if underwear was worn. To me, it don't feel right if I'm not regimental, bad karma!!

My twa shillings,

Malcolm MacWm., 42nd/77th Highland Reg'ts, GrenCoy
ASM, British Brigade
www.muskets-of-the-crown.org

[greenman11]

If I might offer a suggestion. My wife and I mulled over this question for formal and semiformal occasions. The object was not for worry about the boys out in the air, but keeping the kilt, a large investment, clean and comfortable when sitting. We came up with a method echoing earlier times. With a number of big and tall t-shirts obtained and a measured length from shoulder to deriere, extra length was added from the lower part of one shirt to another extending the length. The lower seam some 4 to 6 inches from the bottom of the kilt. A surger makes the sewing process easier.

I offer this resolution for your comfort and freedom.

Regards,

[kilty]

I prefer to wear underwear to keep my kilt clean but that's just me. The less washing and/or cleaning, the longer my kilt stays "new-like".

I may go regimental one of these days just to see what it's like.