The origins of the Ghillie / Highlander Shirt

[Jack Daw]

I've had some shirts made using an 18-C pattern. The shirts are: made of linen or silk; long tailed down to mid-thigh; and, have no string or thong tie at the front. The button at the cuff is made of bone. The long shirt was underclothing and served as such for both bottom and top. If you wear such a shirt you should also wear a waistcoat, otherwise you're running around in an undershirt.

[Woodsheal]

I've had some shirts made using an 18-C pattern. The shirts are: made of linen or silk; long tailed down to mid-thigh; and, have no string or thong tie at the front. The button at the cuff is made of bone. The long shirt was underclothing and served as such for both bottom and top. If you wear such a shirt you should also wear a waistcoat, otherwise you're running around in an undershirt.

Exactly! While the cut of the 'ghillie' shirts is not bad, the criss-cross front lacing is strictly Hollywood. If you want a great 18th c. shirt, with the proper knee-length, go here:
http://www.trailhd.com/shirts.html

[smaughazard]

I have a shirt of this general pattern which was hand-made of coarse linen, but I did not like the laced neck closure. I just connected some bone toggle-style buttons with a bit of thread so that I could button the lacing-holes together, and I've gotten numerous favorable comments at highland games…

I do really like the extra length under the kilt.

[Computergeek]

I find personally that the most common type of shirt for me with a kilt is a tee shirt with a button down shirt over it. Of course I may not be th ebest fashion example since it is 24 degrees here in oklahoma right now and I wore flip flops to work today. so take it with a grain of salt.
Jeremy

[Jack Daw]

Exactly! While the cut of the 'ghillie' shirts is not bad, the criss-cross front lacing is strictly Hollywood. If you want a great 18th c. shirt, with the proper knee-length, go here:
http://www.trailhd.com/shirts.html

That's a reasonable price, too. Barkertown Sutlers also has a reasonable price and will change collar sizes, etc., to your specs.