Let's talk TREWS!!!!!

[figheadair]

Trews - as I understand it, are cut on the bias - and worn tightly fitted relying on the flexibility of the cross cutting to allow for movement.:

The pattern has always been square, not on the bias (though I will admit I've never asked for them to be on the bias). We can get standard Trousers, Argyll Trews, Fishtail Trews and Military Trews (either Fishtail cut or a straight waistband).

These two statements are both correct, they just talk about different timeframes.

Anne was talking about the historical trews (trubhais) worn by Highland gentry and preferred for horseback. There are several portraits of men wearing trews and they were always cut on the bias; the portrait of the 3rd Viscount Dunblane is a fine example.



Rocky was referring to Military trews. These date back to the latter part of the 18th century and were cut square, usually have a fish-tail waist (to rise above the cut of the old short military jacket), were often shaped at the foot to follow the line of the boot and traditionally only had an inside leg seam.



This style is still used by the RRS and by a number of Reserve (formerly TA) units for Mess Dress. The cut is commonly used for evening wear too.



Whereas these are tartan trousers - something rarely seen in Scotland.

[Calgacus]

There's a pair of bias-cut modern trews in the link that Kyle posted above. Rare, but obviously possible.

[Pleater]

Thank you for the clarification - I sometimes need to check which century is under discussion before I can make a sensible answer, and even then my vocabulary is often at odds with the date.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[Wil]

Since it seems that non bias cut trews are the norm right now. Should I stick with that or try something a little different and see about getting bias cut trews made?

[cck]

The other thing that I think was not mentioned is that trews fit higher on the waist like a kilt. My tartan trews do not have an outside seam, so the pattern is not disturbed. Around here probably few people know what I am wearing, but I frequently get compliments.

[Wil]

The other thing that I think was not mentioned is that trews fit higher on the waist like a kilt. My tartan trews do not have an outside seam, so the pattern is not disturbed. Around here probably few people know what I am wearing, but I frequently get compliments.

Are they the fish tail trews that you wear? I guess I will also need some nice braces for these trews as well.

[Nathan]

I'm confused about why Trews with a fish tail would be preferred to tartan trousers. Wouldn't this fact be obscured by most jackets anyway? I'm also confused about why other tartan trousers would be disqualified as being called Trews since it's simply the Scots word for trousers that is derived from the Gaelic Trubhas (pronounced "trews".

The original skin tight Neil Gow style trews don't seem to be worn anymore so why are tartan trousers with a regular cut and waist not considered trews by some? They are sold as trews by some Highland outfitters.

[Calgacus]

I'm confused about why Trews with a fish tail would be preferred to tartan trousers. Wouldn't this fact be obscured by most jackets anyway? I'm also confused about why other tartan trousers would be disqualified as being called Trews since it's simply the Scots word for trousers that is derived from the Gaelic Trubhas (pronounced "trews".

The original skin tight Neil Gow style trews don't seem to be worn anymore so why are tartan trousers with a regular cut and waist not considered trews by some? They are sold as trews by some Highland outfitters.

Hi Nathan,

Possibly for the same reason that this...


...would be disqualified as being a sporran.

I realise it's a matter of degree and depends on just where you draw the line, and that the distinction is a fine one, but I think regular cut tartan trousers deviate just too far from the 'norm' to remain in the category of 'trews'.

Just my attempt at trying to understand it!

[Wil]

Hi Nathan,

Possibly for the same reason that this...


...would be disqualified as being a sporran.

I realise it's a matter of degree and depends on just where you draw the line, and that the distinction is a fine one, but I think regular cut tartan trousers deviate just too far from the 'norm' to remain in the category of 'trews'.

Just my attempt at trying to understand it!

LOL, I hope that is a sow's ear "sporran".... I think that the fish tail trew is a more formal look and doesn't require a belt (it requires braces). I also think it is just up to the wearer at the same time.

[okiwen]

Found this. Perhaps i can get all the pages in the post. When I click the page in my post it opens larger. Let's see if it works for everyone.