Those loops of ribbon on the sides.....

[chasem]

I think part of it is that white will show sweat stains more easily than black.

Also, I find it odd that only one of those four kilts seems to have a waistband, and the two that have the front apron clearly visible have a curve cut along the top of the kilt, rather than ripped straight across. Any idea what purpose this serves?

[longhuntr74]

I think part of it is that white will show sweat stains more easily than black.

Also, I find it odd that only one of those four kilts seems to have a waistband, and the two that have the front apron clearly visible have a curve cut along the top of the kilt, rather than ripped straight across. Any idea what purpose this serves?

I think the curve you are referring to is just the sag from the weight of the fabric, but I might be wrong. Very observant though about the lack of a waistband! Actually two of them have a waisband it appears. Note the Royal Stewart at the back seems to have a waistband along the pleats that doesn't extend to the apron portion....yet another interesting topic for conversation!

[slohairt]

I think it's pretty simple. White shows dirt and sweat and gets yellowed over time. Since laundering of the kilt is something that is not typically done on a regular basis, makers have migrated to dark linings to hide visible signs of dirtiness.

As I have a love of history and vintage, I will be tempted to use white when I make a kilt I think.

Oh, undoubtedly. For the modern kiltie who habitually wears his kilt with his shirt untucked, this is especially noticeable. However, if the lining is off-white to begin with (and it usually is) than it isn't too much of a problem with your shirt tucked in. I use an off-white lining in my personal kilts just because I like the way it looks, but as I previously wrote, all of my (non-dancing) customers request black.

[chasem]

I think the curve you are referring to is just the sag from the weight of the fabric, but I might be wrong.

Actually, if you look at the Balmoral on the left, there's no red line at the top in the center of the apron, but it shows on either side (ie: we see more tartan at the top as we go to the sides.)

Same with the Royal Stewart in front.

And actually, the Balmoral on the right shows a thin black stripe at the top in the pleats, but as you go to the outsides, it disappears (implying the curve starts in the pleats, and goes into the front apron).

Very observant though about the lack of a waistband! Actually two of them have a waisband it appears. Note the Royal Stewart at the back seems to have a waistband along the pleats that doesn't extend to the apron portion....yet another interesting topic for conversation!

now that you mention it, they all look like they might have that weird waistband, or I'm just seeing something that isn't there on one or two of them.

[Arlen]

I've noticed this too! All of our old kilts have white linings. The three kilts I have had made in the last 15 years all have black. If I had thought about it, I would have told them to use white.

I wonder why this is?

Both of my older Kilts have off while linings and my more recent ones have black.
I've noticed that stains do show terribly on the white ones after I have been dancing a lot. (At a workshop or ball / at a dance demo etc)

I can never decide whether or not I am glad to see the stains and know to clean them or to have them hidden by the black and never know how dirty they are!

[Phil]

To get back to the OP, I seem to remember reading somewhere that these loops of ribbon-like material were originally for soldiers to hang their kilts up in a tent while away campaigning. They wouldn't have had wardrobes and hangers there.

[Lallans]

The little loops are for hanging, they just are not useful for hanging- my belief is that they are a survival from ancient times (pre WWII) when kilts weighed less than they do now, ie before 8 yards became the standard for civilians.

But the large loops! I was taught they are for the belt, not the sporran and that the sporran chain or strap is NEVER threaded through them! That's what we do here! Is there a concensus on this suddenly vital issue? Where does one go for the last word???

[longhuntr74]

The little loops are for hanging, they just are not useful for hanging- my belief is that they are a survival from ancient times (pre WWII) when kilts weighed less than they do now, ie before 8 yards became the standard for civilians.

But the large loops! I was taught they are for the belt, not the sporran and that the sporran chain or strap is NEVER threaded through them! That's what we do here! Is there a concensus on this suddenly vital issue? Where does one go for the last word???

Actually, the concensus is the opposite from your understanding. The rear loops are for the sporran strap, not the belt...or so I've learned on this forum. Some use them for both, some for just the sporran strap/chain, and some prefer no loops at all.

Has the OP logged back in yet to explain exactly which loops he was referring too? Lots of great discussion here about both the back loops and the hanging loops...I think we've answered his question either way.

[Lallans]

Actually, the concensus is the opposite from your understanding. The rear loops are for the sporran strap, not the belt...or so I've learned on this forum. Some use them for both, some for just the sporran strap/chain, and some prefer no loops at all.

Has the OP logged back in yet to explain exactly which loops he was referring too? Lots of great discussion here about both the back loops and the hanging loops...I think we've answered his question either way.

I see that major discussion of the belt-vs-sporran-through-the-loops thing is taking place on another string, generally speaking with Scots and Canadians on one side and Americans on the other. Interesting, but clearly there is no right answer until a law gets passed!

[macwilkin]

I see that major discussion of the belt-vs-sporran-through-the-loops thing is taking place on another string, generally speaking with Scots and Canadians on one side and Americans on the other. Interesting, but clearly there is no right answer until a law gets passed!

Not all Americans...I do tire of generalisations by nationality around here at times. :mrgreen:

T.