Traditional Civilian Highland SHIRTS

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Truly, in the case of the "buttons in the back" shirt a picture (front & rear) is worth a thousand words.

Imagine if you will an ordinary shirt, but without a collar, or collar button. Instead of the usual seven buttons from collar to tails, it has but two; one (button A) three from the top, the other (button B) three from the bottom. Before putting the shirt on one places the studs in the stiff bosom and the collar. To put the shirt on one does up button A, then slips his shirt on over his head, sliding his arms into the arms of the shirt. Then, reaching back, one does up button B and, VOILA!, your shirt is on. It's then a simple matter to set the collar, do the rear collar button, and then the front. Cufflinks go in last, and shouldn't be much of a challenge.

Some shirts have a narrow, elongated u-shaped cut out on the center of the front apron to allow the front of the shirt to be tucked smoothly into the legs of one's evening trousers and to prevent interfering with the fly. There is also a small tab with a button hole immediately below the bosom of the shirt. This is intended to be fastened to a button on the inside of the kilt (or waistband of the trousers) to hold down the front of the shirt. I strongly advocate the use of this tab-- fitting a button to the back of the left apron of your kilt isn't difficult, and will pay huge dividends when it comes to sitting and standing. Once kilted (or in trousers or trews), the tie goes on. If one is wearing an order or decoration normally worn suspended from a ribbon around the neck, this goes on first with the tie going over it. Once the tie is attended to the waistcoat and jacket are put on and one is ready to step out for the evening.

Perhaps McLowlife should post a few pictures....