Trews. Under a kilt? What The!

**theborderer** · 14th March 11, 01:40 PM

Originally Posted by Mike_Oettle

And we have seen pictures on X Marks of at least one British Highland regiment that kept a mirror in a doorway that would betray the wearers of underpants!
Regards,
Mike

I believe one of these mirrors was also in the Guardroom at Edinburgh Castle.

Was the tobacco bag mentioned the start of the 'Willie warmer'

**Mike_Oettle** · 14th March 11, 01:50 PM

Harold wrote: “Can anybody get a picture of a set of these that are made of tartan?”

Whatever for?

**Harold Cannon** · 14th March 11, 01:54 PM

HA HA MIKE!!!!! I would like to see how the shorts are constructed not modeled goofy!!!

**Jaggy thistle** · 14th March 11, 02:22 PM

Reading an old book came across the following :-Highland dress in 1735 thecommon habit of the ordinary Highlander is far from being acceptable to the eye; with them a small part of the part of the plaid, which is not so large as the former, is set in folds and girt round the waist to make of it a short petticoat that reaches half way down the thigh and the rest brought over the shoulders and fastened with a bodkin or sharpened piece of stick .The stocking rises no higher than the thick of the calf and from the middle of the middle of the thigh to the middle of the leg is a naked space which being exposed to all weathers becomes tanned and freckled. This dress is called the quelt and for the most part they wear the petticoat so very short that in a windy day , going up a hill ,or stooping, the indecency of it is plainly discovered !! which seems to show that wearing anything under the kilt is a modern idea

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 14th March 11, 02:29 PM

Originally Posted by Mike_Oettle

Perhaps I was also unclear, Jock. I did grasp that the extra package contained shorts.
But I was referring back to the odd claim made by the Polish blogger.
Regards,
Mike

Actually Mike, I just went back and re-read the article by the Polish lad, and it seemed to me he was referring to boxer shorts/trunks. I'm not sure where he got his information, but a quick look at Loudon MacQueen Douglas's book, THE KILT, a Manual of Scottish National Dress finds "short trews" right under the kilt in the list of what's to be worn.

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 14th March 11, 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by Harold Cannon

HA HA MIKE!!!!! I would like to see how the shorts are constructed not modeled goofy!!!

The last pair delivered to me were rather like very short pajama bottoms with a draw string waist, a button on the fly, and the legs about two or three inches below the crotch. They were made of very heavy cotton, rather like the material used for tee-shirts, only much thicker. They were navy blue, and I used them for years to buff up the shine on my shoes!

**Morris at Heathfield** · 14th March 11, 02:36 PM

I'm glad to see this subject has finally been broached. When I first became interested in my Scottish ancestry in the late '80s, I distinctly remember reading about these kind of trews, although I cannot, for the life of me, recall where I found the reference. When I attended my elementary school's international night, dressed in makeshift Highland regalia, I had no trews, as such, but I made do with what were then being marketed as "Bermuda shorts", but would more properly have been called "madras shorts". I must have been asked The Question at some point, because I recall lifting my kilt to show a parent the pastel plaid shorts I was wearing underneath.

I am aware of a couple photographs of trews from a vintage kilt outfit made by the Hallenstein Bros. of New Zealand. I don't recall where I found them (except that it was through the XMTS forums), and I can't seem to find them online any longer. However, I downloaded the images, so I guess I'll upload them and post them here for the curious:

**Chirs** · 14th March 11, 03:26 PM

Originally Posted by davedove

G I Joe!!!!!!

(Sorry I couldn't resist. Signed Major Boo Boo)

No, thank you. It was killing me that no one seemed to get the joke (or didn't think it worthy of comment

)

**Harold Cannon** · 15th March 11, 08:23 AM

Thanks for posting those pics. I can see where these would come in handy. Like marching in a parade as part of a pipe band on a windy day!

**Mike M.** · 15th March 11, 08:29 AM

I read an autobiography by a gentelmen who joined the Seafort Highlanders in World War 2 (he wound up flying with the Eagle Squadron and the USAF, but that's not relevant).

He stated that they were forbidden to wear anything under the kilt, specifically because of the potential for gas attack and getting blistering agents trapped in your underwear.

I'm not sure I believe it...but it's at least plausible. But for civilian use, there are certainly times when going regimental is not the best idea.