Traditional Civilian Highland SHIRTS

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

In ye olden days (that is prior to about 1960) good shirts came with longer tails so that collars (and cuffs) could be replaced if they became frayed or stained, simply by cutting them out of the surplus length of the shirt tail. Because the collar and/or cuffs were cut from the tail, they were always a perfect match for the shirt, regardless of the number of times it had been laundered.

Now, or so it seems, one is lucky if their shirt has enough tail to stay tucked into their trousers or kilt!

[piperdbh]

In ye olden days (that is prior to about 1960) good shirts came with longer tails so that collars (and cuffs) could be replaced if they became frayed or stained, simply by cutting them out of the surplus length of the shirt tail.

So that's why they were so long!

Now, or so it seems, one is lucky if their shirt has enough tail to stay tucked into their trousers or kilt!

...especially if you're long-trunked, like me.

[MacLowlife]

I notice many long-trunked men tend also to be men of substantial middles- in fact, I think pushing the waistband down to accommodate a gut is the number one cause of trunk ( or torso) elongation. The worst problem this causes, even worse than moving the hem of one's trousers or kilt below where it ought to be, is the phenomenon of the middle pulling against the shoulders, as if the gut were in a sling... If you will avoid the Dunlop* effect, you can avoid all sorts of troubles.




*Dun Lopped over your belt.

[Cygnus]

In ye olden days (that is prior to about 1960) good shirts came with longer tails so that collars (and cuffs) could be replaced if they became frayed or stained, simply by cutting them out of the surplus length of the shirt tail. Because the collar and/or cuffs were cut from the tail, they were always a perfect match for the shirt, regardless of the number of times it had been laundered.

Now, or so it seems, one is lucky if their shirt has enough tail to stay tucked into their trousers or kilt!

I've always thought it odd that as the "normal" level at which trousers are worn moves down, the ends of the shirt tails move up. It is really frustrating.

I think it has something to do with the (relatively) new acceptance of un-tucked shirts in casual environments.

[English Bloke]

I've always thought it odd that as the "normal" level at which trousers are worn moves down, the ends of the shirt tails move up. It is really frustrating.

I think it has something to do with the (relatively) new acceptance of un-tucked shirts in casual environments.

And perhaps, that half the world seems obsessed with showing off their underpants!

[MacLowlife]

Yesterday the postman brought me two shirts, clearly stored for a while after laundering many long years ago. They are of the stiff front, button-up-the-back, detached collar variety. I am sure somebody knows where to buy these new, but I doubt I could afford them. One came from Rogers, Peet, of NY & Boston. Anybody know how long they have been gone?

[Galician]

Oh, you brought back a name from the past!

Check this info in Wiki

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogers_Peet

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Yesterday the postman brought me two shirts, clearly stored for a while after laundering many long years ago. They are of the stiff front, button-up-the-back, detached collar variety. I am sure somebody knows where to buy these new, but I doubt I could afford them. One came from Rogers, Peet, of NY & Boston. Anybody know how long they have been gone?

Sadly, the formal dress shirt has not been commercially available since, at least, the early to mid-1980s. Even custom shirt and high-end makers in the UK such as Budd and New & Lingwood are unable to provide these shirts at any thing approaching a realistic price (GBP 300+ strikes me as a "we really can't be bothered" price). When these were available "off the shelf" from Brooks Brothers in the '80s they retailed for about $125.00.

These shirts are vastly superior to ordinary dress shirts as the fronts stay flat when seated, with no gapping at the placket to expose the tee-shirt promoting your local fishing tackle emporium; and, of course, no chance of one's Order of the Alaskan Sled Dogs becoming hung up in one's shirt front whilst waltzing with a dowager duchess.

Perhaps we can encourage CMcG to find a custom shirt maker in the Orient who would be able to supply such shirts to the disciminati?

[creagdhubh]

In ye olden days (that is prior to about 1960) good shirts came with longer tails so that collars (and cuffs) could be replaced if they became frayed or stained, simply by cutting them out of the surplus length of the shirt tail. Because the collar and/or cuffs were cut from the tail, they were always a perfect match for the shirt, regardless of the number of times it had been laundered.

Now, or so it seems, one is lucky if their shirt has enough tail to stay tucked into their trousers or kilt!

Brooks Brothers traditional fit shirts do! And there are plenty of non-button downed collars to choose from!

Cheers,

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Truly, in the case of the "buttons in the back" shirt a picture (front & rear) is worth a thousand words.

Imagine if you will an ordinary shirt, but without a collar, or collar button. Instead of the usual seven buttons from collar to tails, it has but two; one (button A) three from the top, the other (button B) three from the bottom. Before putting the shirt on one places the studs in the stiff bosom and the collar. To put the shirt on one does up button A, then slips his shirt on over his head, sliding his arms into the arms of the shirt. Then, reaching back, one does up button B and, VOILA!, your shirt is on. It's then a simple matter to set the collar, do the rear collar button, and then the front. Cufflinks go in last, and shouldn't be much of a challenge.

Some shirts have a narrow, elongated u-shaped cut out on the center of the front apron to allow the front of the shirt to be tucked smoothly into the legs of one's evening trousers and to prevent interfering with the fly. There is also a small tab with a button hole immediately below the bosom of the shirt. This is intended to be fastened to a button on the inside of the kilt (or waistband of the trousers) to hold down the front of the shirt. I strongly advocate the use of this tab-- fitting a button to the back of the left apron of your kilt isn't difficult, and will pay huge dividends when it comes to sitting and standing. Once kilted (or in trousers or trews), the tie goes on. If one is wearing an order or decoration normally worn suspended from a ribbon around the neck, this goes on first with the tie going over it. Once the tie is attended to the waistcoat and jacket are put on and one is ready to step out for the evening.

Perhaps McLowlife should post a few pictures....