Full specification of boys 1912 Highland dress

**neloon** · 5th July 21, 02:04 AM

https://www.lorfordsantiques.com/sco...utfit-da518555

(See "product description".) Very over-the-top by modern standards!

Alan

**jhockin** · 5th July 21, 06:50 AM

From the photos, the “shoulder plaid” looks very like a “fly plaid”… in 1912!

**Shinenotburn** · 5th July 21, 07:29 AM

On the invoice it is listed as a belted plaid.

**jfraser** · 5th July 21, 08:33 PM

Originally Posted by Shinenotburn

On the invoice it is listed as a belted plaid.

In the 1950's whilst, but 13 years old I was a piper in a band situated in the Northern part of Scotland. In them days pipers were requires to wear full plaid. I was far too small for a full plaid and I had to wear a belted plaid as stated here. The drummers of the band also wore a belted plaid.

**Jock Scot** · 6th July 21, 04:31 AM

I think a certain amount of caution is required here. Yes, what is shown in the picture is what it is and the date can, I think, be ascertained. So, so far so good. To me the outfit looks like a very lucky (an exception to the norm for a start) lad was able to wear a very smart band uniform. We should not make the mistake of assuming the" lucky" non band lad was dressed in that kind of attire and most certainly not for general day, or even evening, attire.

On viewing the additional pictures provided, I note the addition to the outfit of tartan under trews too and what is more, they are lined! Not an outfit made for the "more normal" run of the mill type of customer.

**Jock Scot** · 6th July 21, 06:03 AM

The plot thickens. My mind has been toying with possibilities about this kilt attire. I have just been perusing the other pictures in the first post and I note that it was sent/taken to the USA. So that opens up other possibilities. Did the "lucky young man"(LYM) come to Scotland on a holiday? Was he in Scotland with his American parents who were resident here? Did LYM emigrate? Was LYM to have a complete set of kilt attire sent to him by a doting relative who was living/visiting Scotland? Who knows?

More questions follow.

What was the purpose of the kilt attire in the USA? Was LYM a piper/bandsman? Was LYM to act as a page at some sort of smart event? A wedding for example? Or was it that the LYM was sent the outfit for him to enjoy a happy(?) time parading about in the attire? Who knows? Some one might?

Anyway an interesting thread with all sorts of questions arising from it, nevertheless.

Well done Alan.

**neloon** · 6th July 21, 08:03 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

On viewing the additional pictures provided, I note the addition to the outfit of tartan under trews too and what is more, they are lined! Not an outfit made for the "more normal" run of the mill type of customer.

I believe it would have been absolutely normal for 1912. And, indeed, up until WW2, or even later in some families.
Notice that the kilt cost one pound 6 shillings and the trews were 5/6! Hopefully Mrs. Beattie pf Kilmacolm (maybe Grannnie?) was happy with her purchase.

Alan

**Jock Scot** · 6th July 21, 08:17 AM

Originally Posted by neloon

I believe it would have been absolutely normal for 1912. And, indeed, up until WW2, or even later in some families.

Alan

Indeed you are right Alan, trews were provided as a matter of course at that time and in my experiance(1940 onwards) were until after WW2 by some kilt makers. I have never personally come across lined ones though. The hight of my personal comfort, as far as I can recall were the provision of silk trews, although that was by request and at a cost.

**neloon** · 6th July 21, 08:45 AM

Jock,
Mine were always lined (show off!)

I never came across silk ones (show off!

) I remember the discomfort with tartan trews was that they had no stretch. By 1960 most kilt shops were just supplying cotton girls school knickers as "trews" for boys and men which were certainly very comfortable.

Alan

**neloon** · 7th July 21, 04:53 AM

Here is a link to a US site that offers another "specification" in the advertisement near the start. (If it asks you to "sign in" just click "cancel.)
https://www.histclo.com/schun/gar/ki...ilts9001d.html
The advertisement is said to be around 1910*- kilt price is now 12/6, trews are now 3/6 .
The suggested components of boys' Highland dress listed are excessive by modern standards but would have been roughly the same for men.
The commentary by the "Historical Boys' Clothing" editor is culled from various contributions from Scots but is not without some misunderstandings/errors.

*I think 12/6 would be equivalent to about £75 today!
Also see this bit
https://www.histclo.com/fashion/stor...otc910kja.html
The trews are not regarded as "optional". The plaid is "necessary" for "Full Dress" but not for the "Young Chief".
I don't understand why the leather sporran is more expensive than the full dress sporran.

Alan