[OC Richard]

Sorry, this has nothing to do really with Paul's issue, but I did find it interesting that in the old c1940 RG Lawrie Highland Dress catalogue that I recently aquired, underkilts are listed right along with kilts, as if they were a standard part of Highland Dress.

They are listed as

Under Trews all-wool tartan 18/6

and are listed both with Gentlemans' and Boys' Highland Dress.

[auld argonian]

Originally Posted by OC Richard

Sorry, this has nothing to do really with Paul's issue, but I did find it interesting that in the old c1940 RG Lawrie Highland Dress catalogue that I recently aquired, underkilts are listed right along with kilts, as if they were a standard part of Highland Dress.

They are listed as

Under Trews all-wool tartan 18/6

and are listed both with Gentlemans' and Boys' Highland Dress.

Kind of makes me think of one of my standard responses upon being asked: "...listen, if they HAD underear back in the Eighteenth Century, don't you think that they would have worn it?" Obviously it wasn't unheard of back in the 1940's.

Best

AA

[Redshank]

here is an interesting article confirming the above

http://histclo.com/Schun/gar/kilt/su-kilts9001p.html

[Canuck of NI]

Originally Posted by jhockin

or .. you could just "brave it out", (if it IS REALLY FREEZING) , and wear regualr heavy wool long-johns - without cutting them off! you could always cover your knees, with kilt hose rolled up, to cover the longjohns

Wow, never even heard of an underkilt before; it sounds awfully Victorian but I'd love to see a picture (hint).

And now to go somewhat off topic with a question to my fellow Canadians and other northern peeps: does anyone know where to buy the heavier weight Stanfields woolies that don't seem to be sold in stores anymore? Not the very nice superwash-wool ones that Sears is smart enough to keep in stock, but the thick gray ones that are more painful to wear? Not for my kilt, I'm talking survival wear. Stanfields has them on their web site but tell you to buy them in a store.

[wildrover]

The "trews" in that excellent article sound like nothing more than an embarrassing and unwanted pair of scratchy nut-huggers, perpetrated by the female family members of young boys, undoubtedly to prevent accidental brain-hangings during all the horsing around we do.

What I thought was really interesting about that article is the description of sock height (most pictures I've seen away from kilt hire photos show a lower turnover), and the last line about carrying a satchel made me think of "Hangover"...ie "it's not a purse, it's a satchel!"

Anne's post about an outer layer lower than the kilt reminded me of something I read on the "kilting in the cold" thread...that a heavyweight kilt has enough movement while walking that it negates the benefit of the additional fabric. So...get an overcoat, leave the slips and underoos out of it...and it'll look better too! It sounds like most anything would work, as long as it keeps the back of the kilt from swinging (and pumping out the warm air that's built up).

Alternatively, you could wear boxer briefs or something, and when you arrive at your destination, remove them, fold them, and hand them rather obviously to your date while wearing little more than a smug look on your face .

-Sean

[The Barry]

I've been out in some fairly cold weather (sub 10 degrees F) in a kilt and did fine. I found that nice hose and a jacket did the trick. I can't imagine that wearing a slip would help that much if at all.

[Riverkilt]

For me, "underkilts" are about hygiene, not extra warmth. Protect the kilt from me. If you're not old enough to understand that yet, you soon will be.

Found this source, may try it. Looks like you can custom design what you need.

http://www.cotton-mill.com/

[BroosterB1]

Think I'll stay with boxers.....

[Pleater]

I suspect that part of the problem is the length of the top garments - particularly shirts, which have become shorter and less voluminous in the last 100 years.

Perhaps grandad shirts and longer length tee shirts could be the answer, or a series of loops at the base of the waistband to take buttons or hooks on the top edge of a liner.

Most of the options seem to be tubular, have a gathered upper edge, and be of quite thin or soft material. Personally I find that a strip of woven material, usually sturdy cotton, shaped to the waist with darts, is a better choice. I put them inside the kilt, the full length of the waistband, less an inch or so - so it is fairly well hidden.

Of course I can make such things myself in a few minutes, apart from the application of the lace around the edge which is not going to be relevant for most - though I have considered the option, for my best kilts, of making a liner in a toning colour and binding the edge with satin ribbon, either a darker shade of the same colour, or for a tartan using a stripe colour, such as dark blue with a red binding.

The X marks tartan would be complimented by a royal blue liner with a gold binding, I think.

Anne the Pleater