Another form of "the question"

[Jack Daw]

The tradition NOT to wear underwear under the kilt, or to "go regimental" or "go commando", is sort of a misplaced idea. Before briefs, undershorts, or long-johns were invented, kilt wearers wore long shirts that were in essence slips. The shirt was considered an undergarment because a man always wore a waistcoat and/or a coat over that. The shirt or 'sark' was worn long, to mid-thigh or even lower, so this was the underwear. At night the kilt and waistcoat would be set aside and the man would sleep in his long shirt and night cap. Refer to any illustration of Ebenezer Scrooge getting a visit from Marley for a clue.

Because none of us wear the long-tailed shirts anymore, I see nothing new about wearing some other sort of undergarment with the kilt. It won't be a woman's slip, I'm tellin' ya.

[Galician]

I absolutely agree with Jack, since I accept the theory that the plaid was worn over a leine, just like garments worn by other cultures in the ancient world.

[Ian.MacAllan]

. . . The shirt or 'sark' was worn long, to mid-thigh or even lower, so this was the underwear. . . .

And this was the practice among most men in the western world, not just the kilted. With the possible exception of some very rich people, separate undergarments were introduced in the nineteenth century A.D. and became common only in the twentieth. I suspect that the main reason they became common at all was that the development of knitting machines made them economical.

It appears that the term "regimental" originated because some of H.M.'s regiments required the practice, at least among the O.R.'s, and the term "commando" (in this sense) was coined by people who were unaware of the regimental practice.


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[Jack Daw]

And this was the practice among most men in the western world, not just the kilted. With the possible exception of some very rich people, separate undergarments were introduced in the nineteenth century A.D. and became common only in the twentieth. I suspect that the main reason they became common at all was that the development of knitting machines made them economical.

It appears that the term "regimental" originated because some of H.M.'s regiments required the practice, at least among the O.R.'s, and the term "commando" (in this sense) was coined by people who were unaware of the regimental practice.
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YEP! The advent of the industrial revoluion in the 1840s resulted in the manufacture of a lot of new goods.

[Charlie Mc.]

It appears that the term "regimental" originated because some of H.M.'s regiments required the practice, at least among the O.R.'s, and the term "commando" (in this sense) was coined by people who were unaware of the regimental practice
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I have been told by a couple of navy seals i have known that it is standard practice for them to go "commando" in the field. This practice is apparently quite a long tradition with them (something about wet skivvies causing chafing). So while it may be more accurate to refer to a lack of skivvies when kilted as regimental, to refer to going without skivvies as "commando" is not inaccurate. This practice led to a very amusing incident with a navy seal i went through survival school with when we were stripped to our skivvies and searched. Long story short a big bad navy seal ended up running around for a couple of hours wearing lacy purple panties.

[Vincere Vel Mori]

I've never taken offense to the question, although I usually only wear my kilt out when I'm pubbing, so the venue tends to be casual and girls have had a bit to drink.

I've worn the kilt to two weddings (one of them mine), so decorum might have precluded the question, but I was still asked at both occasions. Again, drink was involved (of course), so it didn't bother me. I suppose if I were at a funeral or a church social I'd be a little shocked if someone brought it up, but perhaps because of that, I doubt I'd wear a kilt to such an event in the first place. Not to begrudge others who would, that's just my comfort level.

In my experience I've gotten very positive reactions from women when I wear the kilt, and I'm sure the question is part of that. If they ask, I tell them, as long as I think they're being sincere.