Some random old guys

[OC Richard]

Yes in the Boer War and in WWI Highland soldiers were issued those khaki drill aprons which protected the kilts. These aprons usually had pockets in the front, to stand in for the sporran which wouldn't be worn with the apron.

Boer War: Highland soldiers protected and camouflaged by Khaki Drill (the aprons were either just issued, or just pressed)



WWI: this apron only covers the front



A WWI Highland Officer's Service Dress tunic. Yes it's pretty long! (The rank badges were displayed on the cuffs- those aren't buttons)

[azwildcat96]

I love the long hair sporrans...and they all seem to have one except for the one with the full-mask sporran.

[freep]

Yes in the Boer War and in WWI Highland soldiers were issued those khaki drill aprons which protected the kilts. These aprons usually had pockets in the front, to stand in for the sporran which wouldn't be worn with the apron.

<snip>

That appears to be a full kilt on the guy in the pic I posted with the pocket in front rather than an over apron. At least it's connected to a pleated bit and I can't see a kilt underneath (that doesn't mean it's not there) on any of the three of them.

Great kilt pin the guy on the left has, we could probably date the pic based on the invention of the safety pin.

All the jackets in the last three pics are quite long.

[OC Richard]

That appears to be a full kilt on the guy in the pic I posted with the pocket in front rather than an over apron. At least it's connected to a pleated bit and I can't see a kilt underneath (that doesn't mean it's not there) on any of the three of them.

Those would be aprons covering the kilts. Some aprons went the whole way around, some just in the front. But there would be traditional wool kilts underneath. (Canvas utility kilts were a century away!)

More old guys!

[MacGumerait]

Richard ,

Here's an older pic of a gent wearing an actual kilt jacket that has a similar cut to the long jackets in some of your old photos ... short lapel , high top button and a long sweeping cut to the front of the jacket .

For some odd reason , I have always been fond of this style . The photo supposedly dates 1939 .

By the way , I thought you might appreciate this bit of info .... according to the caption that was originally with this pic .... the stern looking older gent was judging a pipe band .

Cheers , Mike

[Jock Scot]

Not smiling when one is having one's picture taken whilst kilted seems a prerequisite then, as it is now.

[McMurdo]

Came across these guys. No sporrans, long coats and the guy on the right has a large patch pocket on the apron of his kilt.

Those are Kilt Aprons they are wearing, the sporrans are underneath and that pocket allows you access to the sporran. You see the Germans would be able to see the cantle of a military sporran and aim for it, so these were developed, they also kept the kilts cleaner.

[freep]

Those are Kilt Aprons they are wearing, the sporrans are underneath and that pocket allows you access to the sporran. You see the Germans would be able to see the cantle of a military sporran and aim for it, so these were developed, they also kept the kilts cleaner.

I don't doubt the two fellows on the left are wearing aprons but that's NOT a kilt on the guy on the right? Pleats and all?

[OC Richard]

No such thing as a canvas kilt existed. They are all wearing their ordinary regimental wool kilts.

The KD (Khaki Drill) aprons varied in design, but yes if they went all around they had pleats of course. Not having pleats would restrict the wearer too much.

The pockets in the aprons are just that. You wouldn't wear your sporran under your apron. Sporrans were rarely worn in WWI on active service, it's why they put pockets on the aprons. When not wearing aprons you'll often see canvas bags (intended for the gas mask) being worn as a make-do sporran. (Officers are a different breed, and you'll sometimes see them wearing sporrans in the war zone, plain brown leather "day" sporrans.)

Here you can see some aprons



Though WWII made, this style gives a good impression of the WWI aprons. You very rarely see them worn in WWII.

[OC Richard]

Richard ,

Here's an older pic of a gent wearing an actual kilt jacket that has a similar cut to the long jackets in some of your old photos ... short lapel , high top button and a long sweeping cut to the front of the jacket .

The photo supposedly dates 1939 .

Yes that's the cut typical in the 19th century. That jacket would have been, perhaps, 40 or more years old when that photo was taken.

For years I wore a heavy tweed kilt jacket a friend's father bought in 1945, so such things are not unknown.