Observations On Canadian Military (DND) Kilts...

[Casper]

So, one of my coworkers who served with the Seaforth Highlanders in Afghanistan decided that he wanted to wear his kilt to a recent company function (the invite said 'dress to impress'). He wouldn't do it alone, so he convinced me to wear one as well (turns out the surprise theme for the night was 'International Diversity'... fitting, as he was born in France to parents from Nepal, but lives in Canada, serving for a Scottish regiment).

So, picture, and my observations:



- Like all military kilts, it has an obscenely high rise
- Regimental weight fabric really DOES feel like a blanket
- No fringed edges
- Of course, spats, diced hose (sans flashes and sgian)
- Piper's sporran, which is purely decorative (he was amazed that mine opened and was functional!)
- Only a sporran strap (he was also admiring my sporran chain... left the strap at home that night)
- No fringe on his apron
- No kilt pin or rosettes
- He wouldn't let me really look at his pleats (personal space issue)
- The white stripes on his almost look painted on... such an odd appearance

Also watched a documentary about the home front during WWI... of the old promotional footage they showed, all of the kilts were traditional box pleated! Not a single knife or military box pleat to be found! Perhaps a way of rationing wool at the time?


- Chris

[Raphael]

Nice picture!!! Kilts night is at doolin's irish pub tomorrow night. You guys should come down!!

[Joel]

Very cool picture. Thanks for sharing!

[Moosedog]

Yes, thanks for sharing both the photo and your observations!

Moosedog

[James MacMillan]

Wow - A couple of surprizes there.

Non-functional sporran, that just makes no sense. I wonder if that too was/is a cost factor?

Pleating - You say that you couldn't look at the pleats, but you couldn't tell, just by looking? The pleats that I have seen, were evident just by looking. I'm guessing the current regulation is military box pleats.

I must say, that your color choice is very good looking. You set off the Black Stewart very well.

If you ever get a chance to examine the kilt first hand, please give us a more detailed review.

Thanks for the observations.

[McClef]

Did you manage a photo of the military box pleats?

Pity he thought examination a personal space issue even though your interest was technical and you weren't trying a kilt lift!

[beloitpiper]

My pipe band wears military kilts, and they sure are great!

You two did impress, IMHO, and both look wonderful.

[McMurdo]

Wonderful picture, I would love to get a close look at one of those military kilts, but I do understand your friends trepidation. It sounds like he wears the kilt for his duties when appropriate in the Seaforth's and does not wear it much out in public, perhaps you have helped him take that first step into felling more comfortable with it. His personal heritage born in France to parents from Nepal, living, and serving in Canada, reminds me of the old Red Rose commercial tag line
"Only in Canada eh.....pity!"

Thanks for the photo it looks like you were having a great time.

[SuseDolAmroth]

Must be a canadian thing, I've had a really close look at my siginificant others military issue Blackwatch Kilt and it differs from the one you described in most respects.

- Like all military kilts, it has an obscenely high rise, yes I agree with that on the Blackwatch Kilt
- Regimental weight fabric really DOES feel like a blanket, okay I agree as well, in particular the dress versions such as the one you looked at.
- No fringed edges, the Blackwatch has fringed edges
- Of course, spats, diced hose (sans flashes and sgian), erhhh forgot to ask about that, no diced hose though I'm fairly sure.
- Piper's sporran, which is purely decorative (he was amazed that mine opened and was functional!), again, I didn't ask and he has not worn that sporran in ages
- Only a sporran strap (he was also admiring my sporran chain... left the strap at home that night) - chain for formal, strap for notmal wear in the Blackwatch I think.
- No fringe on his apron
- No kilt pin or rosettes, the traditional one is two green rosettes, I don't know about a pin for uniform wear but i think they must have it.
- He wouldn't let me really look at his pleats, box pleats, i think... I am not too good at recognizing them so take that comment with care
- The white stripes on his almost look painted on... such an odd appearance, White stripes on the 16 ounce Blackwatch look very bold as well

cherioo,
Suse

[Clockwork John]

Nice picture. Great choice of shirt and tie to match the kilt. That outfit is smashing!

I have a Canadian military kilt (Black Watch) made circa 1960(from what I was told) in Glasgow. Here's what I can tell you about it:
- Like all military kilts, it has an obscenely high rise
- Regimental weight fabric really DOES feel like a blanket
- No fringed edges
- No fringe on the apron
- Mine is knife pleated. They are fairly deep and very close together... the reveal is about 1/2 inch. There are 30 pleats in my kilt, and it only has a 34 inch waist! Talk about getting your money's worth!
- The colors are very dark. I really can't tell what's blue and what's black without holding the fabric directly under a bright light.