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  1. #1
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    Trews or Tartan Trousers: Similarities or Differences?

    I may need to forgo my kilt for trews. ‘tis been close to a half-century since I competed in hunter/jumper events, therefore the traditional military fishback trews are unlikely to accommodate my stout frame.

    Can anyone opine or recommend trews options? How odd might it appear to wear tartan trousers with kilt jackets vis-à-vis traditional fishback military trews?

    Any ideas who makes trews? It seems that not every kilt maker makes these things. Measuring for them seems a bit tricky if done by the purchaser and not the vendor.
    Semper Paratus

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  3. #2
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    Braw

    Don't know where you're posting from the Scottish regimental shop in Edinburgh sells trews @ this address: https://www.scottishregimentalstore....ring-108-c.asp

    You can also in your search engine Robert MacDonald kilt maker if done on you tube you'll be sent to his channel just put in trews - I believe he is beginning to sell trews after giving the history of them.

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  5. #3
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    Campbells of Beauly did a first rate job with making a pair of trews for one of my sons who wore them for the first time the other day. Campbells are a top notch company and make a fine job of tailoring, but be warned, they are far from inexpensive though!
    Last edited by Jock Scot; 7th October 19 at 01:59 PM.
    " Rules are for the guidance of wise men and the adherence of idle minds and minor tyrants". Field Marshal Lord Slim.

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  7. #4
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    https://www.usakilts.com/tartan-trews.html

    USA Kilts sells them as well

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  9. #5
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    Keep in mind that what we call "trews" today are completely different from the historical garment, the genuine trews.

    The original trews were stockings and trousers made into a single garment. The legs were form-fitting all the way up. They were worn with garters in the same manner of kilt hose. Trews were completely different than trousers, which have legs that hang straight all the way down, and lack sewn-in socks.

    As far as I know actual trews haven't been worn since the 18th century except by historical re-enactors.
    Proud Mountaineer from the Highlands of West Virginia; son of the Revolution and Civil War; first Europeans on the Guyandotte

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  11. #6
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    My understanding is that modern trews unlike trousers only have seam on the inside of the legs. Trousers generally have seams on both the inside and inside of the legs; quite often there is a chevron effect on the outside leg with trousers which does not happen with modern trews.

    Additionally the cut of each is different trews tending to have straight legs a la denims. To my mind trews are much smarter.

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  13. #7
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    This drawing was helpful for me as I unwrap the mystery of the trews. Over the years I've not seen the waist area. All trews photos and drawings that I've viewed were with jackets covering the waist.

    My guess is that the fishtails are likely suitable only for wear with jackets. Whereas the Argyll are more accommodating for wear with a shirt where warm weather temperatures reach triple-digit heat in my neck of the woods (or more precisely, the desert). 26+ pounds or more to go...

    My thanks to all that have contributed to my knowledge on this topic as well to any that continue to contribute.
    Last edited by Braw Cathairneach; 9th October 19 at 07:34 AM. Reason: Drawing did not upload on the first attempt.
    Semper Paratus

  14. #8
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    IMO the most of the various things sold as ‘trews’ today should not be called those. Historicity aside, I think in order to really be *trews* and not just tart any trousers, they need to have —a high waistline. —be tartan. —no outside seams —no cuffs at the bottom. The fishtail back just makes them more comfortable to be worn with braces which is certainly the more suitable for formality. However, I understand how in warm weather you might like to wear them as regular trousers without a jacket and would rather wear a belt than braces.
    “The convents which the fathers had destroyed...the sons, rebuilt…”
    —Hereward the Wake, ‘Of the Fens’

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  16. #9
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    It’s been mentioned elsewhere, but high waisted traditional trews don’t always have fishtail backs. The surplus pair I own has both suspender buttons and belt loops—and a straight waistband like you would find on any other pair of pants.

  17. #10
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    The best trews money can buy

    Hi, I don't know where you're based but if you're in Scotland the best of the best 'trews' or tartan trousers are made by Andrew Livingston at Livingston Tailors in Castle Douglas in South West Scotland. He is one of the finest tailors in the UK and he will make your trews in any style you like - seams or no seams - in the cloth of your choice. I've no idea what you'd pay for a pair of his trews nowadays but I know you'll be unlikely to find better ones.

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