Regimental History

[kiltedsawyer]

Please forgive me if this has been covered, at least recently, but the responses to several recent threads made me wonder about the tradition of those in the military and wearing the kilt, wearing it "regimental."
Was there some advantage in battle doing so? Was it for comfort? Was it just because that's the way the highlanders originally wore the kilt? I'm sure some of you military historians must have the answer. Thanks in advance.
Respectfully,
David

[BroosterB1]

Up until the last century under garments were very much a thing of the very wealthy. The question, boxers or briefs would have been lost on most people as recently as 1890. The advent of the 20th century and modern marketing moved "long Johns" into a new industry of underwear. Before that, almost every one on earth was "Scottish".

[dowofbuchanan]

and some of us still are ... kilts or p@#!$ either way

[TheBlueCow]

Up until the last century under garments were very much a thing of the very wealthy. The question, boxers or briefs would have been lost on most people as recently as 1890. The advent of the 20th century and modern marketing moved "long Johns" into a new industry of underwear. Before that, almost every one on earth was "Scottish".

"Are you wearing your kilt in the traditional style?"
"Aye lass, and are you wearing your pants in the traditional style as well?"

So the "tradition" of being regimental in kilts is more a tradition of being not well-off, being frugal, or just not bothering with an extra layer between you and your kilts or pants? So really, the "tradition" and hype of men wearing kilts regimental really got started because it's men in skirts and that's a big whoopti-doo?

[Colonel MacNeal]

Please forgive me if this has been covered, at least recently, but the responses to several recent threads made me wonder about the tradition of those in the military and wearing the kilt, wearing it "regimental."
Was there some advantage in battle doing so? Was it for comfort? Was it just because that's the way the highlanders originally wore the kilt? I'm sure some of you military historians must have the answer. Thanks in advance.
Respectfully,
David

The similar phenomenon of "going commando" emerged in military units that were in the field or on operations for long periods (especially in tropical regions) with no chance of doing laundry. It is easier to avoid rash, fungi, etc, if one goes without drawers in these conditions. Not packing underwear gives you more room for socks. The primary focus is keeping your feet in good dry socks to avoid blisters and trench foot.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Not wearing underwear with the kilt is a "recent" phenomenon; long before the mass market in kilts developed kilt makers used to supply "trews" with their kilts. These were usually made of a light wool saxony, although cotton and silk were also supplied. They were rather high waisted, had a drawstring at the waist, a la pajama bottoms, and were snug in the leg, like modern boxer briefs. As men's underwear became more form fitting, and as more men began to wear the kilt, kiltmakers ceased supplying their customers with "trews".

[Woodsheal]

When the Highland regiments got going in the 18th century, kilt-wearing clansmen and soldiers wore the same underwear as everyone else: long shirt tails! (The shirt itself was considered "underwear" in that period.)
Later, actual underwear drawers (short and long) were developed, but the Highland regiments clung to their old practice of shirt-tails only, probably because the Army saw no real need to spend extra money issuing under-drawers to highlanders...!

[thescot]

When the Highland regiments got going in the 18th century, kilt-wearing clansmen and soldiers wore the same underwear as everyone else: long shirt tails! (The shirt itself was considered "underwear" in that period.)
Later, actual underwear drawers (short and long) were developed, but the Highland regiments clung to their old practice of shirt-tails only, probably because the Army saw no real need to spend extra money issuing under-drawers to highlanders...!

Let me tell you, there's a whole lot to be said for a long-tailed shirt between you and the wool, especially in the heat.

Look up Battle of the Shirts. Those were some long shirts!

And I believe you can get someting like that from the wizard himself.

[JolyStNicholas]

Quoting "thescot" "there is a lot to be said" Amen!

[wyldathart]

Here is something I heard about that may or may not apply. I think it was the picts that stripped down and went into battle naked. Not only is this intimidating ( wink wink ) but in case one was wounded there was no material to become lodged in the wounds, thus causing infection. Now! I have heard that early on the Scots would strip out of their great kilts and go into battle with just their shirts tied up between their legs. Not sure if this is accurate or not but the tradition may have distilled from those reasons.