top band of kilt

[The Wizard of BC]

There is a lot of stuff out there stated like it is fact. The truth is - we don't really know why the top band of some kilts were made from different colors or if there was any 'standard' or unit designation.

It is quite possible that they were using what they had on hand and that they chose horse blanket binding.

Yes, many of the military kilts that I have seen have a green twill tape top band. The current RRS kilts use a black Twill tape. It is very possible that some of the really old kilts in museums have something else. Peter would be the one to know.

And it is very possible that a color or material was used for a while and could possibly change due to a different kiltmaker, contract, or whim of the RSM. And yes, military uniform regulations change all the time. In my experience a change of RSM can result in a total change of how the kilt would be made and worn.

But what color a person chooses for the top band is really up to the person laying down their money. Today it is usual for non military contract kilts for the top band to be Tartan fabric from the center of the double-width fabric. It is also usual that the Tartan of the top band is aligned with the Tartan of the outer apron.

But if you are not in a military unit, and subject to the uniform requirements of that unit, there are no hard and fast rules that you could somehow violate.