let's look at vintage check tweed

[figheadair]

Not in real life, but perhaps a dragon, with that wee tuft at the back of the head?

Or possibly a Phoenix.

[figheadair]

Richard, you have a PM.

[Jock Scot]

Or possibly a Phoenix.

Yes, could be.

[KiltedSergeant]

Back to vintage check tweeds, here's another. Sir Iain Colquhoun. I wish the photo were larger, but it's the best I have.

Enlargements attached, 2X and 3X. They look small here (not sure why they won't show at full size), but if you click on them they will show at full size in another window. The enlargements are a bit more grainy, naturally. You may copy them to your computer if you think you might have use for them.

[OC Richard]

I have several other photos of men wearing sporrans with what appears to be cantles shaped just like those Glasgow Celtic Society ones, but the photos don't have enough detail to tell if they are in fact those same eagle (or whatever beast) cantles.

[CollinMacD]

The socks (hose?) in the second pic of the OP caught my eye. They appear to be your garden variety wool "hunting sock" that everyone wore before the days of polypropylene and other wicking fabrics.

In New England (Boston, and North Shore) called those socks RAGG Socks, I have no idea why, normally they came as you posted above or in bleached wool, bright red, green, and navy blue. Worn under Good Year olive color rubber boots (no shoes) or those black boots with metal clips on the front that you used wax paper to get your shoe in. The Goodyear boots, wore only the socks, no shoes, had laces on the very top, so the red of the sock would be above the boot, and snow would stick to the wool. I believe LL Bean still sells these, as well as some other stores. They were very work, except when you got them wet. Oh do I remember those socks, Christmas you were guaranteed to get a pair or two with matching mittens or gloves, and of course the watch cap, had to be coordinated, usually you got bleached wool; was the cheapest to buy.

I remember around 1959 the National Guard Armory had a "garage sale" sold a lot of surplus, dating back to the Civil War that was stockpiled. Within the surplus the sold the green wool socks for 50 Cents, and for $5.00 each, WWI high top lace up boots. Like the cavalry boot, all the cool kids with money got those. I had to settle for a WWII canteen and belt for 25 cents. CHEERS.

[OC Richard]

Now there's this one, which as far as I can understand it, doesn't violate a policy here



There are several interesting things

-the shape of the bonnet

-the oft-seen wearing of rather long jackets with numerous roomy pockets

-the hose; hose like this are seen in many Victorian photos but don't seem to be around any more. They're not quite diced or tartan, but plain with a pattern of over-stripes. In The Highlanders Of Scotland we see these in grey with red. Also the hose have plain (possibly marl) turnover cuffs, often seen in those times.

-the raccoon sporran, also seen in The Highlanders Of Scotland

[kingandrew]

I love all these vintage photos. And Colin's ragg sock story is fantastic. When I bought my first kilt, I did not have any proper hose. So I wore a pair of ragg over the calf hiking socks with my kilt for the first few months.

I wish I could find a good bold check fabric at my Chinese tailor's shop. But so far I haven't had such luck.

Andrew

[OC Richard]

I wish I could find a good bold check fabric at my Chinese tailor's shop.

Kinloch Anderson in Scotland has some wonderful check tweeds for their tweed jackets (and kilts).

[figheadair]

Kinloch Anderson in Scotland has some wonderful check tweeds for their tweed jackets (and kilts).

Much of it probably comes from Johnstons of Elgin - see their Tweed range.

Here's my jacket from Johnstons' cloth.