Why aren't tartan trews as popular as kilts when it comes to highland dress?

[Jock Scot]

The second quote looks to me as if they are trousers and not properly tailored trews. There's a BIG difference between the two.

Never were truer words uttered!

[TheOfficialBren]

I have said it once and I will say it again...I love both. They are on my list of "get 'ems."

I do agree that there is a huge difference.

[OC Richard]

Yes for sure those tartan trousers are far too low-waisted to be worn with Highland jackets.

There's an elderly gentleman piper here, now retired more or less from active participation in the piping scene, a WWII veteran of a Highland battalion, who invariably wears tartan trousers and an ordinary Argyll jacket to Highland Games and other local functions. He looks very dignified and smart in this attire. (They might even be his old regimental trews... they're in MacKenzie Seaforth tartan, and he was a Seaforth Highlander.)

[JSFMACLJR]

My father frequently wore trews.

[creagdhubh]

My father frequently wore trews.

Wonderful photo of your father, Sandy. I especially like how the MacLean hunting tartan in both the jacket and trews don't precisely match, which in my opinion, is perfectly acceptable. I think you had discussed this before in regards to the tartan in the jacket and trews being from two different mills. I'm not sure if that statement is correct, as it is a vague memory. Your father looks very smart and if I was a MacLean, I think the hunting sett would be worn on many occasions!

Kind regards,

[Henry Mc]

The simple answer is that trews are not Highland attire. They are the attire of lowland Scots.

Could you be more wrong

Trews came before the kilt as far as the evidence is concerned.

Gordon of Straloch. 1594 (Date of period described).
a. Tartan plaid. ('Loose Cloke of several ells, striped and parti-color'd').
b. Short linen shirt, which 'the great' sometimes dyed with saffron.
c. Short jacket.
d. Trews (in winter).
e. Short hose (stockings) at other seasons.
f. Raw leather shoes.

[Henry Mc]

Yes - there are trousers and there are trews and they are not the same at all.

Trousers are cut on the straight grain of the cloth, and can be quite loose fitting.

Trews on the other hand are more like tights. Cut on the bias they are flexible and usually close fitting - not a garment that would suit everyone.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

Correct. Its surprising how many kilt fans dont realise that.

Many of the examples above are trousers, including the military version.

These are trews...

http://www.tartansauthority.com/sta_...250px wide.jpg

And these...

[Henry Mc]

Even if trews had been a well-established Highland item (or just plain Scottish item), the main reason they didn't catch on in most places is because the 1970s happened.

Ah, I see your point...

[neloon]

Henry,
"Trews came before the kilt"
Indeed, and went back to the horse-riding Celts of middle Europe. The root of the word "trews" (from which, of course, came "trousers") simply meant bifurcated and so nowadays the word is applied to any such garment (long or short). I suspect that Jock (I am sure he will speak for himself) was thinking of the tartan trousers version which are indeed much more "the attire of Lowland Scots". The confused usage is unfortunate but correct according to the Scottish National Dictionary and I suspect we have to live with it.
Alan

[Jock Scot]

I am well aware of the historic definition and use of trews, but I took the OP's question to mean rather more modern times such as now and as such I did indeed mean the tartan trousers(properly cut of course) version that Lowland Scots are prone to wear.