In a quandry

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

For what it is worth, and not wishing to advocate a monopoly, all of my trews have been cut by Stewart Christie in Edinburgh. That said, because the cut and fit of trews is critical, I'd advise you to be measured by the tailor (Matt, Stewart Christie, Meyer & Mortimer, etc.) who will be making them, rather than trust your luck via mail order. Like the traditional Highland kilt, trews are a fully tailored garment.

[Bruno]

For what it is worth, and not wishing to advocate a monopoly, all of my trews have been cut by Stewart Christie in Edinburgh. That said, because the cut and fit of trews is critical, I'd advise you to be measured by the tailor (Matt, Stewart Christie, Meyer & Mortimer, etc.) who will be making them, rather than trust your luck via mail order. Like the traditional Highland kilt, trews are a fully tailored garment.

I believe the original poster has already mentioned that cost is a consideration. I think him flying out for a fitting in the UK is a even more expensive proposition.

Remember we are not buying for ourselves or our budgets in this case. I personally agree that your option is what I would go with but it does not help the OP. We need to aim at the target provided.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I've already expressed my opinion to Asser but I thought I'd share it with the board, too. Personally, I favor darker tartans for trews, so for that reason I'd choose the Douglas over the Young. It's really a matter of personal choice what tartan to wear, but that would be my opinion.

And just to further what Rathdown stated about trews vs. trousers, I wanted to point out that there is absolutely nothing wrong with tartan trousers -- so long as what you want are tartan trousers. The mistake to avoid is thinking that tartan trousers and tartan trews are one and the same, and ordering trousers when you want fishtail trews, or vice versa.

If you want a pair of trews to wear with your ordinary sportcoat, as a substitute for slacks, then what you want are really tartan trousers. On the other hand, if you are looking for something to wear with your formal Highland attire -- Prince Charlie jacket and all -- then you want the fishtail trews.

As someone pointed out, we do offer four varieties of trews through our gift shop. The first are tartan trousers, which, as I said, are basically standard trousers made from tartan.

The second we call Argyll trews, which are made with a higher waist made especially to wear with an Argyll jacket and made to accomodate a wide kilt belt.

The third we call Prince Charlie trews, which are made with an even higher waist and fishtail back and meant to be worn with a Prince Charlie jacket.

The fourth and most expensive are the military trews, which are made with a fishtail back to wear with a Prince Charlie or regimental doublet, but are also made in the traditional manner Rathdown described with no exterior seams.

It's nice to have options. :-) Just make sure you are getting the option that is going to be best for you, both in terms of your wardrobe and your wallet!

[longhuntr74]

Bias cut would be great and rather stylish but I bet the place in London would cost a bloody fortune. I too have went the Jermyn Street route for shirts. I have searched high and low on the web for trews and have come to the conclusion that in cost vs value. Especially when figuring currency exchange and shipping that living in the US the trews at the Tartan Museum are the way to go for me.

I am leaning towards Douglas for the tartan in the trews that military and family connection would be hard to beat. I think Young would make a more attractive kilt.

I was fortunate enough to get a great deal on a Young 8 yard tank from the Scottish Tartans Museum about a month ago. My mother in law is a Young, so I do have some family tie...but mostly I got it because of the colors...they represent my Army Branch Colors...and it just happened to be my size and a great price!!!

[macwilkin]

I was fortunate enough to get a great deal on a Young 8 yard tank from the Scottish Tartans Museum about a month ago. My mother in law is a Young, so I do have some family tie...but mostly I got it because of the colors...they represent my Army Branch Colors...and it just happened to be my size and a great price!!!

Don't forget that there is a US Army tartan (although it has no offfical status).

T.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Don't forget that there is a US Army tartan (although it has no offfical status).

T.

Not to go off on a tanget, but actually Todd I seem to recall the US Army making some official move to adopt this tartan....

[Santa Kona]

Great information thanks.