Why aren't tartan trews as popular as kilts when it comes to highland dress?

[Glasgow girl]

Hello, yes, they are trousers and I think you look very handsome in them. I have looked at several websites, the Scotland shop and the Scottish Register of Tartans and it looks like Baru which is predeominantly purple and green with white. Unfortunately I don't know which clan it is affiliated with. Take care with the awful weather.

[Mael Coluim]

Recently, I have scored from Bugpiper, not only an Ex-military Royal Regiment Kilt but also a pair of Ex-military Royal Regiment “trousers”. The trousers had their debut at last night’s local Scottish Society meeting and were well received. They were rather comfortable in the frigid weather we have been experiencing.

I am tempted to wear the trousers for Saturday’s Burns Super, but then I won’t be able to wear or show off the wonderful pair of Argyll hose I got from STM gift shop. And somehow the trousers will not have the same affect doing “The Hamish” with the Rabble who will be attending.

[TheOfficialBren]

I am a huge fan of tartan trousers. I'd jump at a pair if the opportunity arose and the price was right.

I still prefer kilts but sometimes options are fun to play with.

[neloon]

In many ways, the tartan trousers business originated with Sir John Sinclair of Ulbster who was justifiably fed up with the Walter Scott/David Stuart of Garth notion that the kilt had been worn by the Celtic tribes of Europe. When he founded the Rothsay and Cathness Fencibles in 1794 he dressed the men in something that was somwhere between true trews and (possibly Gordon) tartan trousers - see the uniform here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Joh...r,_1st_Baronet

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Tom,

Those tartan trousers were MacDonald of Glengarry if I recall correctly.

[Glen]

In many ways, the tartan trousers business originated with Sir John Sinclair of Ulbster who was justifiably fed up with the Walter Scorr (Scott ed.)/David Stuart of Garth notion that the kilt had been worn by the Celtic tribes of Europe. When ne founded the Rothsay and Cathness Fencibles in 1794 he dressed the men in something that was somwhere between true trews and (possibly Gordon) tartan trousers - see the uniform here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Joh...r,_1st_Baronet

"It is commonly held that Sir Walter Scott popularised these 'Border drabs' by wearing a pair of checked trews in London, making the wearing of checks a fashion 'craze' in society circles and encouraging the development of the famous Border woollen mills, several of which remain. "

http://www.northumberlandtartan.co.uk/history.asp

[eagle43172]

After all is said and done, tartan trews (or trousers) are still just pants, somewhat wildly colored pants, but pants none the less. I have a closet full of them already therefore the kilt is unique. Those of us who celebrate our Scottish heritage see kilts as the visible sign of that heritage, that's why I wear kilts.
Also, here in my part of Texas a kilt can be comfortable even in high summer. I dout that can be said for heavy wool "trousers.
Dave

[macwilkin]

After all is said and done, tartan trews (or trousers) are still just pants, somewhat wildly colored pants, but pants none the less. I have a closet full of them already therefore the kilt is unique. Those of us who celebrate our Scottish heritage see kilts as the visible sign of that heritage, that's why I wear kilts.
Also, here in my part of Texas a kilt can be comfortable even in high summer. I dout that can be said for heavy wool "trousers.
Dave

Dave,

I firmly (but respectfully) disagree. Trews can also be a visible sign of Scottish heritage, especially if said trousers are made in the wearer's clan/family tartan. Also, for many an ex-squaddie of a Lowland regiment like the Cameronians or the K.O.S.B., trews in the regimental tartan are a memorial of sorts to regiments that have been lost to history. I don't think its fair to simply dismiss them as simply "wildly colored pants".

And as far as wool trousers go in the summer, I reenacted for 10 years, and I daresay my wool trousers were far more comfortable when I was giving living history programs than jeans would have been.

T.

[Glen]

Trews can also be a visible sign of Scottish heritage, especially if said trousers are made in the wearer's clan/family tartan. Also, for many an ex-squaddie of a Lowland regiment like the Cameronians or the K.O.S.B., trews in the regimental tartan are a memorial of sorts to regiments that have been lost to history.

Flank companies often wore trews rather that the kilt due to the nature of their military role.

From my experience, trews were often worn in garrison, as well, in some social functions trews were a better choice.

As I understood, one should have a pair of trews as an option...

[Jock Scot]

Indeed I always viewed trews, in my tartan, as a useful option, midgie time for example, but somehow the kilt always has the edge when that precious "something"that I always feel is considered, something that is impossible for me to explain to non Scots, when I wear the kilt.