Undies under the Kilt

[MacWage]

One reason TO wear underwear is around small children.

They are VERY curious (and "rambuncious) and are liable to "uncover" things while doing something else.. It is also easier to "flash" when playing with them (and forgetting to watch the kilt angles).
Additionally, some parents have issues GETTING kids to WEAR THEIR underwear. In such cases, an adult revealed NOT to be wearing underwear (esp. THEIR parent) works counter to parental efforts.

ALSO, in high/steep stands, it MIGHT we wiser TO wear SOMETHING. OR, when one will be in any elevated situation (or working UNDER a car IN PUBLIC).

[demobud]

I remember reading somewhere about what was "allowed" under the kilt and black briefs were mentioned as the only "allowable" undergarment. I wish I could remeber where I saw that, it struck me as funny though.

[Ayin McFye]

The event you are wearing your kilt for, if there is an event, should greatly affect whether or not you'll be wearing undergarments. Out here in Arizona it get's extremely hot, 116 degrees today, and the less we wear the better in my opinion out here.

We had a kilted kickball tournament (you can see pictures in the kilt nights forums) back in March/April, and we knew that there were going to be children out there, so we all wore our underwear that day. Children are by far the number 1 reason to wear underwear, but following closely behind in number 2 reason is, because you want to.

Although the ladies do love it when we go regimental.

[Martin S]

I remember reading ... black briefs were mentioned as the only "allowable" undergarment.
... it struck me as funny though.

Funny?

Black is the only colour that goes with any tartan.
Black is discrete, and, being different from the traditional idea that underwear should be white, black briefs don't evoke the idea of underwear when they show.
And your underwear will show, gentlemen, (or lack thereof) whatever you may be doing. Simply sitting down on a chair will likely tell people the other side of the room what you are wearing.

But I agree; it's nice to do without when it's warm!

The original post was asking about historic reasons for all this, niot about what we do today. The only underwear I have ever heard about in the 19th c, was long johns (certainly no briefs or boxers!) which could obviously not be worn with a kilt. Long shirttails were sufficient to protect both skin and outergarments.

Martin

[McClef]

And your underwear will show, gentlemen, (or lack thereof) whatever you may be doing. Simply sitting down on a chair will likely tell people the other side of the room what you are wearing.
Martin

Not if you sit correctly.

Didn't Hamish do a demonstration somewhere?

[Barb T]

I remember reading somewhere about what was "allowed" under the kilt and black briefs were mentioned as the only "allowable" undergarment. I wish I could remeber where I saw that, it struck me as funny though.

May have been in reference to Highland dancers. They are required to wear black or dark-colored dance trunks under their kilts.

Barb

[cacunn]

I remember reading somewhere about what was "allowed" under the kilt and black briefs were mentioned as the only "allowable" undergarment. I wish I could remeber where I saw that, it struck me as funny though.

I don't think "allowed" as much as suggested. I remember someone posted a link to a clip from "The Avengers" TV show. Mrs. Peal and Stead were in a fight in a sottish castle, the men were is kilts. At the end of the fight one of the bad guys runs up the stairs and as he crossed the top landing he flashes his tighty whiteys. If they had been black, like Mrs. Peal's leather cover alls (sorry my mind just went to this picture) it would not have been as oblivious to all.

Black undies under the kilt will not flash as much as white under a dark kilt. If you must flash, flash a dark color to confuse anyone who sees.

[demobud]

Aaahhh! The inimitable Mrs. Peel...

I agree it would be better to flash black than tighty whities.

[Ozman1944]

I remember reading somewhere many years ago that it was for pracitical purposes during battles in those days;
One wouldn;t be 'Caught with one's pants down" so to speak, during a surprise attack, when answering nature's call. Plus in crossing often waist deep streams etc. one simply hoisted up the kilt. No wet trousers or underwear to worry about afterward.
Today, wear underneath what is comfortable and appropriate to you. It isn't a fancy dress costume. (I never wear Flashes-why should I? they are just 'dressing up' stuff).

[Woodsheal]

I remember reading somewhere many years ago that it was for pracitical purposes during battles in those days;
One wouldn;t be 'Caught with one's pants down" so to speak, during a surprise attack, when answering nature's call. Plus in crossing often waist deep streams etc. one simply hoisted up the kilt. No wet trousers or underwear to worry about afterward.

I wouldn't say that there was ever a conscious decision on the part of Highlanders along the lines of, "We're not going to wear underwear!" And the reason is (speaking about the 'historic" period now, pre-1800) Highlanders WERE actually using the same underwear as European men elsewhere, that being long shirt tails. Separate drawers came later.
The underwear of that period for trouser and britches wearers - as well as the kilted - was your shirt tails tucked between your legs. Some even had buttons to facilitate this practice (shirt tails were knee length in those days).
So, later when underwear/drawers evolved as a separate garment (early 1800's), the backwards Highlanders simply clung to their old practice of their shirt tails being their only undergarment....