MoD Kilt Hanging Strips

[Paul Henry]

And interestingly none of the kilts appears to have a top band at all. They are simply carefully folded over to make a form fitting shape around the wearer.

If you look closely you will see they do indeed have a band of a plain fabric, it looks like some sort of satin cloth or ribbon, but because of hte way the kilt are hanging it has sort of folded inside the kilt.
Having a contrasting top band is very traditional ,infact some military kilts can be identified by their green edging.

[xman]

If you look closely you will see they do indeed have a band of a plain fabric, it looks like some sort of satin cloth or ribbon, but because of hte way the kilt are hanging it has sort of folded inside the kilt.
Having a contrasting top band is very traditional ,infact some military kilts can be identified by their green edging.

Ah yes, I see. I was fooled by the taper in the wool above the waistline. You can see at the side some of the stripes disappear. Perhaps this is another illusion though. Also, what do you think the buttons in the naval position are for?

[Chas]

Ah yes, I see. I was fooled by the taper in the wool above the waistline. You can see at the side some of the stripes disappear. Perhaps this is another illusion though. Also, what do you think the buttons in the naval position are for?

I would have thought that they were for attaching a waist coat. The Duke of Windsor was known to be a snappy dresser and went out of his way to look good in public. With the waist coat and kilt connected together, it couldn't twist round out of alignment nor could it ride up.

Regards

Chas

[longhuntr74]

If you look closely you will see they do indeed have a band of a plain fabric, it looks like some sort of satin cloth or ribbon, but because of hte way the kilt are hanging it has sort of folded inside the kilt.
Having a contrasting top band is very traditional ,infact some military kilts can be identified by their green edging.

Paul / X,
Wow...I was about to disagree in part...but in looking very close, I've identified some very unique aspects of these kilts.

They all do appear to have silk satin binding along the top...but ONLY the pleated portion.

Someone in a previous thread had made mention of how they aprons appear to be slightly contoured/curved along the top....it's slight, but if you look at the Royal Stewart kilt in front, you should note that the top edge in the middle of the apron is closer to the horizontal black stripe than at the side where the pleats begin.

Looking at how the ribbon is applied, this now makes absolutely perfect sense! The top of the pleats are not folded over, as they are bound with ribbon. However, in the front of the kilt, the kiltmakers fold over the very top of the apron and then stitch it directly to the lining with no binding...hence, the front of the apron is about 1/2" "lower" (for lack of a better word) than the back pleated portion which is bound in ribbon.

I can see some benefit in this style of construction...

• With five to six layers of tartan along the top of the kilt, it tends to be a rather bulky edge...the thin bound silk ribbon eliminates that bulk and creates a much smoother and more elegant transition from shirt to kilt (which if you are wearing formal attire is always appreciated.
• Additionally, a slightly lower cut and less stiff edge along the top of the aprons in the front would likely make bending forward slightly more comfortable and free versus having that doubled up thick ridge on both the apron and under apron there (I've noticed this most particularly on my regimental weight tartan kilt).

I may look at employing this construction style in the next kilt I make.

[Standard]

Sorry for the delay. These are photos showing the hanging loops on one of my kilts. The loops are situated approximately at the point where the kilt would fold neatly into thirds. The loops are sewn in between the tartan fabric and the inner liner. The loops are made out of ribbons approximately 3/8" in width. These ribbons appear to be made out of fabric that has been folded in half lengthwise and sewed closed as seen most clearly in photo three. The loops when fully extended jut out above the kilt approximately 3". I hope these photos help.

Showing the loops as the kilt is splayed out completely on the floor.


A close up view of the location of the two loops.


A close up view of the lefthand (as the kilt is being worn) loop and the slot for the inner strap to pass through.


The kilt folded into thirds as it would be when worn with the hanging loops extended.


A close up view of the hanging loops projecting above the kilt.


The kilt folded in half with the pleats outwards in preparation of hanging.


The kilt hanging from its loops on the clothes hook on the back of the door.

[xman]

That's very helpful, thank-you.

[Standard]

That's very helpful, thank-you.

No problem, glad to help. Sorry it took so long to post. While the kilt I posted is not MoD I do believe it is typical of all the hanging loops that I have seen in person.