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tartan trews outfit

What Are Trews? Scottish Tartan Trousers Explained

  • Alen Kesler
  • January 2, 2023
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The Spectacular Guide About Scottish Trews!

Trews are tartan trousers, and they belong to Highland dress in the same way the kilt does. The word covers a specific garment rather than trousers in general: cut from tartan cloth, worn by Highland men since at least the 16th century, and still the standard alternative to a kilt for formal Scottish wear today.

Trews versus ordinary trousers. Two things separate them. The cloth is tartan, usually a clan sett. And traditionally the cut was different: old trews were cut on the bias so the cloth would stretch and follow the leg, closer to long hose than to modern trousers, coming up to the waist and fastening below the knee with garters. Modern trews are cut on the straight grain like any tailored trouser, so the tartan is what marks them out.

Scottish trews are worn in Scotland, Ireland and Wales, and they are made from the same tartan cloth used for kilts, a fabric of symmetrical check designs known as setts. Traditional trews were woven in wool. Ours are woven in premium acrylic yarn, which holds its colour, resists creasing and is machine washable, and every pair is cut to your own measurements.

Tartan is among the most recognisable checked patterns in the world, and you will find the same setts on everything from kilts and trews to scarves, blankets and upholstery.

Signature Plaid Trew

History of Scottish Trews:

The Scottish Trews date back to 1538 as a style of woven plaid material trousers as a piece of clothing ideally utilised during the Good country winter where the kilt would be unreasonable in such cold weather. The history of Scottish Trews has been long and fascinating, starting as a part of everyday clothing and evolving into what we know today. The earliest known reference to the trews dates back to 1327 when they were worn by Scots soldiers in battle. While they started out as practical clothes for fighting on the battlefield, they soon became fashionable among both the upper classes and lower classes in Scotland during the 17th century.

In 1702, they were worn by the second Earl of Argyll and when he was not wearing his Scottish trews, he would be wearing a kilt. In 1743, there was a large influx of Scottish Trews from Scotland to London. As British people began to identify with their national style more and more, the popularity of Scottish Trews began to fade. During the 18th century, Scotland was led by a largely ineffective government and people engaged in many conflicts with England including the Jacobite rebellion.

Versatile Two Piece Tartan Suit
As a result, trews and tartan came to be read as symbols of Jacobite sympathy. Bonnie Prince Charlie’s army marched into England in late 1745 and was defeated at the Battle of Culloden on 16 April 1746. Casualties were heavy, though the claim that the whole Jacobite army was destroyed is a later exaggeration. What followed mattered more for the garment: the Dress Act of 1746 banned Highland dress, trews included, for anyone outside military service, and the ban stood until it was repealed in 1782. Highland regiments kept trews in uniform throughout, which is how the garment survived the proscription at all.

How Do They Make Tartan Trews?

Historically, tartan cloth for trews was woven from wool: the fleece was sheared, carded to align the fibres, spun into yarn, dyed and then woven to the thread count of the clan sett. Carding is the combing stage that produces an even surface for weaving, and it is still the same principle in a modern mill.

Today the weaving is done on powered looms set to the recorded sett, which is what makes one order match the next. We weave our tartan cloth in premium acrylic yarn across more than 5,000 setts, then cut and make each pair of trews to the measurements you send us.

How to Style Your Scottish Trews?

There are many ways to wear Scottish Trews. They can be worn in different ways depending on the occasion. Scottish Trews are a traditional dress that is worn by Scotsmen and women.

Whether settling on a customary set of Trews or a more modern set of tartan trews, you can wear them at a wide range of occasions and events. Trews are generally worn with a Prince Charlie Coat for formal occasions nonetheless, a more easygoing tweed coat can be worn with trews to suit any event.

A more present day and flexible choice, our Plaid Pants coordinates impeccably with the vast majority of our coat styles and can be spruced up or dressed down, contingent upon the occasion and climate.

Signature Plaid Trew

Modern trews are cut in a lightweight tartan cloth with a tartan pattern. It is important to note that these trousers are not like the ones you wear every day. They are more formal and can be worn for many occasions, such as weddings and parties. There are many ways to wear Scottish Trews but some of the most popular include wearing them with a belted waistcoat, black dress shoes, and a brogan or ghillie brogues.

Wearing Highland Tartan as an Occasional Attire!

Black Watch Tartan Trew

Tartan fashion is a new trend that has been gaining popularity in recent years. It is a way to express your scottish heritage while showing off your love for the country. The highland tartan is often associated with Scotland and the Scottish people, but it has been worn by other cultures as well. The different colours of tartans show that they have different meanings, depending on who wears them and where they are worn. Highland Tartan fashion can be seen in everything from shirts to dresses and even shoes.  One of them is to wear tartan trews and a kilt to show your

Scottish heritage. Scottish Trews are a new type of pants that are designed to be worn if you want to avoid wearing kilts. They have been in the trend for those who wanted to create something new for the Scottish people. The idea behind these pants is to create an alternative option for traditional kilts and skirts. The pants are made to measure in tartan cloth with the pattern on the outside. 

Welcome to Scot Kilt Store! We are an online company that specialize in selling kilts, accessories, and other items related to Scottish heritage. Our products are all made to measure, so you can be sure that your kilt will fit you perfectly! We also offer a wide variety of products so you can find something that matches your style and makes you feel proud of your Scottish roots. We take pride in our products and hope that you find something to suit your needs. Thank you for choosing Scot Kilt Store, we look forward to serving you!

But Why Trews?

Trews answer a practical problem: you want the tartan and you do not want the kilt. They work for a formal dinner with a Prince Charlie jacket, for a wedding, or for a day when a kilt is more than the occasion calls for. They are warmer than a kilt in poor weather, they travel better, and for men who have never worn Highland dress they are an easier first step.

Signature Plaid Trew

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it called tartan?

“Tartan” comes from the Scottish Gaelic word “breacan,” meaning “speckled” or “patterned.” It refers to a crisscrossed pattern of colored bands associated with Scottish culture

What do trews look like?

Trews are tight-fitting trousers made from tartan fabric, resembling leggings or fitted trousers in modern fashion.

What shirt to wear with tartan trousers?

To complement tartan trousers, opt for a plain or neutral-colored shirt. A simple white or solid-colored shirt works well

What is the meaning of tartan pants?

Tartan pants are associated with Scottish heritage and can be worn for formal events or as part of traditional attire. In contemporary fashion, they can be a stylish choice blending tradition and modern aesthetics.

Are tartan trousers in fashion?

Fashion trends vary, and the popularity of tartan trousers can change. To determine their current fashion status, consult fashion sources or observe prevalent trends in your region.

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Alen Kesler

A professional writer known for producing authentic, research-based content on Irish and Scottish heritage.

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Tartan Pants | History & Revival | The Perfect Heritage Blend

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