Our range of military heritage kilts are custom made to order with an availability time of around 6 weeks subject to the order book and holiday times.
Ourretiredkilt maker creates quality items at a fraction of the cost of retail shops and these faithfully incorporate many of the original features of military heritage kilts such as vertical line set to pleat edge, Ecru wool or heavy cotton lining, web trim and military twin prong buckles together with period labels and war department stamps.
I understand the HLI wore kilts from 1947, prior to that tartan trews.
Specification
16 to 18 oz pure wool
No synthetic fibres
95% hand stitched construction
Heavy duty lining for warmth and additional comfort
Twin prong military pattern buckles
Web top trim replicating vintage army kilts with two suspension loops
The traditional trim is emerald green or black depending on period.
Fabric used is circa 8 meters depending on the buyers sizes.
Two khaki buttons to rear are supplied but will require to be sewn to match the slots on the battledress jacket for WWII specification.
Belt loops are provided where requested for pipe band use.
Soldiers would often stitch a hidden pocket under the apron flap for personal items such as a photo, pipe or tobacco.
Whilst it was a non regulation feature, we can add this at buyers request, again at no extra cost.
A length of elastic was also added by soldiers who performed duties such as drivers. This would hold the pleats in place to avoid spreading the material. Added at no cost.
Sizes:
Generally civilian kilts are 24 inch drop. Our military kilts are 26 inch drop, as they are worn higher up on the waist as per period ones and feature two khaki buttons to the rear which were to attach to the short battle dress jacket.
However, the drop of the kilt will be to suit the needs of the buyer.
To measure the drop, the wearer should kneel and have an assistant measure from the waist line to touching the floor. The kilt should reach the centre of the knee, not below.
As military kilts are worn higher up above the belt line, allow for this when measuring. We suggest you lay an item flat and measure it rather than round your body as this can be misleading.
The pleats:
Pleats are set to the vertical colour dominant line with wide pleat return. This replicates vintage army kilts and uses more fabric which adds to the weight and accentuates the swing when marching.
Advice:
We will be delighted to help with any questions you may have.uniformsandtartan hotmailcom
view other kilts on our FB page historic & army kilts
Terms of trading
Items are custom made to suit the distinct needs of the buyer therefore we cannot accept any returns.
Authenticity
During the process of analysing a buyers needs, we will liaise on the exacting details of the kilt to replicate as far a possible the original vintage specification and look.
Buckles:Military spec Scottish kilts feature twin prong buckles. Clan and worldwide formations use single prong buckles.
Great war and Victorian kilt straps are a natural colour leather and WW2 black coated.
Great war kilts are twin buckles secured 3 inches from the top for wear with the 08 belt. WW2 kilts are 3 inches from the top for the 37 pattern belt.
Victorian era Boer and Zulu wars spec features a double buckle rear strap leather with long straps to secure at the rear. This method was discontinued when the 08 pattern webbing was introduced as is was difficult to adjust the kilt with the new style kit.
Lining:Boiled wool ECRU lining for Scots military spec and cotton duck for others. Original period kilts have a web binding behind the lining which we also fit. This prevents the kilt from stretching and working loose when marching.
Great war kilts feature a cotton duck linking and cotton web top trim.
Pleats:These are pleated to the line of the pattern. This accentuates the visual appeal when marching and used more fabric so the weight adds to the movement.
Pleats are knife pattern unless the original regiment tradition was for box pleats.
Pleats can be sewn tapering slightly outward down from the waist. This produces a collective natural curve round the back of the kilt and sits neatly on the hip breech.
Together with hand stitched pleats, this distinguishes military kilts from simpler straight civilian styles.
Trim: Military kilts feature a web trim in traditional emerald green or black.
Vintage military kilts sit higher up above the belt line at 26 inch drop.
The option formodern24 inchdrop is also available tobuyers choice.
Labels: WW 1 and WW 2 reproduction kilts feature a replica of a period label. Whilst not visiblewhen worn,it anindication of the degree of authenticityweendeavourto provide.
