Post-Waterloo Parisian attitude towards Kilts!

[ThistleDown]

92nd Regiment of Foot (The Gordons) as at Waterloo, by Tim Reese



42nd Regiment of Foot (The Black Watch) at Quatre Bras

[ThistleDown]

Piper Mackay of the 79th Camerons at Waterloo. He was awarded a set of silver-mounted pipes for his gallantry.

[Cranky]

Thanks, Thistle. Your first graphic answers a question I was too timid to ask - if the Black Watch pattern was also worn by the 92nd, or not.

[MacGumerait]

Cranky , here is a list of the British Regiments at Waterloo .

http://www.britishbattles.com/waterl...-june-1815.htm

Best to ya , Mike

[Woodsheal]

The Parisians were clearly impressed (if that's the right word!) with Highland military dress post-Waterloo. Here are some images they produced during that same time frame:

[Cranky]

Woodsheal, cannot tell you how glad I am that you've shared these images. I may have to make a lithograph of the third one.

[O'Callaghan]

Marons rotis are roast chestnuts, for those who don't parler francais.

[Mike_Oettle]

This is a delightful set of illustrations – thank you to both Woodsheal and Thistledown.
And since my wife is constantly sniping at me about the height at which the kilt is worn (she insists it should be at mid-knee) I ought to show her Le Prétexte, which (aside from showing some female gawkers) shows the much shorter kilt worn at the time.
Regards,
Mike

[Tobus]

And since my wife is constantly sniping at me about the height at which the kilt is worn (she insists it should be at mid-knee) I ought to show her Le Prétexte, which (aside from showing some female gawkers) shows the much shorter kilt worn at the time.

You know, I've often wondered about some of these older paintings and portrayals of kilts, with regards to height. Many of them depict the kilt being worn well above the knee, almost to mid-thigh, or even higher. And I wonder if it's an exaggeration by the artists due to a sense of shock at this 'odd' manner of dress, or if it's accurate. In the case of these French caricatures, I tend to believe that there is indeed some exaggeration going on. I think it's safe to assume, though, that it was at least above the knee, which is where I presume your preferred height, and your wife's objection, lies.

[Dale Seago]

I recall reading that the lower edge of the feileadh mor was often worn anywhere up to mid-thigh. It's possible that in the early 1800s the tailored kilt was being worn a bit higher than we are accustomed to, but I suspect these illustrations are exaggerated for their titillative value.