My first time wearing my Scottish clothes and accessories.....

**Terry Searl** · 28th November 16, 04:54 PM

Originally Posted by CollinMacD

I am a MacDonald, so how easy going can you be? My point was to get as formal as I could to start off with, then down dress it as needed. I love all your comments, and take nothing personally, I want to learn to do things right, as I said, I have stayed away from gimmicky items, and focused on the nicer things. I agree with lesser is better. I have two big events that mean a lot to me in the next two months, one is the Donald Formal Dinner in Alexandria, Va, the evening of the Scottish Walk, that is a formal sitting. The next is being piped into the St. Andrews Society of Washington DC, which I am waiting to hear when, most likely January. Also in January is the Robert Burns Night Out which is a formal affair. Latter on there are several others events all formal that I would like to attend.

Everything I bought came from very reputable Scottish dealers from the golden mile in Edinburgh, Scotland. I spent thousands to get this right, as it is so important to me to have fine clothing not cheap clothing. You get what you pay for and I wanted to make sure I had quality, not quantity. One other thing I would like to express. I am a Viet Nam veteran, and was diagnosed several years ago with a rare cancer, caused by Agent Orange, I was in the brown water when over there on small boats. I weighted over 350 lbs. when I was on the chemo, and took it every day for almost 5 years. I have been cured, and no cancer at all, however because of the chemo they had to perform a gastro bypass because it mess up my digestive system. I have lost over 145 lbs. When I embarked on this, I made myself a promise, if I survive, and loss the weight, I will get myself the best Scottish outfit possible, as this was on my bucket list. So that is another reason. May sound stupid to some, but for me, being of a military background, it was the goal I need to take that hill, or beat that cancer, and I did, and know I have what I set to have....

There are formal balls, and other affairs run by the St. Andrews Society I will attend (if I can afford to pay for them, as they are very expensive), but when I do go I want to make sure I do not fall into that category of a make believe Scotsman, as my name indicates, I am the real thing, not a wanna be..... Not being egotistical, being proud of my heritage.

So, when doing this, I started with the most formal, and certain can dress down. The Jacobite Collar is white tie formal I know this, but what would you wear for black tie formal, a wing collar shirt with black tie, would a matching tartan tie be appropriate, or a red Cravat?

The fly I probably will not wear at the first affair, I agree its a pain. However, I am very proud of my service in the US Coast Guard, and wish to display my awards. I served in combat, Viet Nam, and won those awards. I guess I am a little stubborn on that.

I understand about the belt, and that was confusing to me, because I saw many people wearing the belt, and did not understand why, not holding anything up, what was the use other than decoration. So I can loose the belt.

Hose I agree, pulled up too high, but I thing the camera angle was bad, as I had them just below the knee. I will check that. Kilt I will pull it up so it sits higher on the waist. I agree with that too.

The flashes I understand and will expose just the tips.

All of your comments are so helpful to me, and I am glad you are honest enough to teach me how to dress correctly. This is very important to me, as I feel I am representing my families honor, our heritage as MacDonald Clanranald, and most of all I am proud to come from such linage of a highly regarded clan.

Thanks for all you comments, and I will repost a photo next week.... I see so many who do not dress properly, I just wanted make sure I did not fall into that class.

Kindest regards,
Allan Collin MacDonald

It was a great pleasure for me to read your post.....thank-you for your story and your families history as well .....you are right to say you are proud of your heritage and you have every right to be proud of your service.......I wish you continued good health and once again I say Thank-you

**McMurdo** · 28th November 16, 05:19 PM

Firstly, thank you for your service, and thank you for your story, also congratulations on beating cancer, my twin brother is a cancer survivor as well. I think as for a black tie event most of the outfit can be used, Personally, I would switch out the jabot for a tuxedo shirt and black bow tie. If you have not seen it yet it might help you to take a look at the 1 kilt 10 looks thread that I participated in some years ago.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-attire-46888/

**CollinMacD** · 29th November 16, 08:57 AM

Originally Posted by McMurdo

Firstly, thank you for your service, and thank you for your story, also congratulations on beating cancer, my twin brother is a cancer survivor as well. I think as for a black tie event most of the outfit can be used, Personally, I would switch out the jabot for a tuxedo shirt and black bow tie. If you have not seen it yet it might help you to take a look at the 1 kilt 10 looks thread that I participated in some years ago.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-attire-46888/

Thank you so much, very helpful. I looked it over, and have one question, I noticed on the white tie that you still are wearing the belt, is this optional, as several have stated the belt and buckle should not be worn with a vest? I see the difference with the wing tip shirt, very smart, but the belt and buckle, what is the feeling on that, appears to me to be optional///

**48HofC** · 29th November 16, 09:18 AM

The medals are more than appropriate to wear with your ensemble, you earned them, wear them.

**McMurdo** · 29th November 16, 09:25 AM

Originally Posted by CollinMacD

Thank you so much, very helpful. I looked it over, and have one question, I noticed on the white tie that you still are wearing the belt, is this optional, as several have stated the belt and buckle should not be worn with a vest? I see the difference with the wing tip shirt, very smart, but the belt and buckle, what is the feeling on that, appears to me to be optional///

With the Montrose Doublet that I am wearing the belt is part of the outfit, there is no waistcoat with it as it is a closed doublet.

**O'Searcaigh** · 29th November 16, 09:26 AM

You seem to have a very good handle on all this and as a fellow Viet Vet, I understand your position on the decorations. Given all the rather formal affairs you will be attending it seems to me, with the minor variations mentioned above, that you would be dressed quite appropriately. I think you look GREAT! and congratulations on beating the A.O. scourge.

**1oldsarge** · 29th November 16, 02:27 PM

Welcome, Sir, from a fellow Coastie.

**CollinMacD** · 29th November 16, 02:41 PM

Originally Posted by 1oldsarge

Welcome, Sir, from a fellow Coastie.

Semper Paratus, served 1969 - 1974 (Viet Nam - Operation Marketime) CGC Chase, Boutwell, Group Boston, also TDY to CG Airsta Salem on HU16 for International Ice Patrol, was Radioman.

**Jock Scot** · 29th November 16, 03:00 PM

Originally Posted by 48HofC

The medals are more than appropriate to wear with your ensemble, you earned them, wear them.

CollinMacD.

Herein lies a problem. Let me say straight away that no one is denying you the right to wear your decorations, least of all me, that you earned during your service. But.........

The problem is the difficulty of marrying up Scottish kilt traditions and American traditions regarding decorations. The truth is, there is a difficulty here and it is as well that you are aware of it.

In the UK, including Scotland, civilians only wear their decorations on specific occasions and at functions where the wearing of decorations is specifically requested. To do otherwise is considered rather bad form over here. As I understand it, in the US decorations are worn fairly commonly at almost any occasion one chooses at the owner's whim.

I am not at all sure there is an easy answer to this, or even an answer, but personally I take the view that if you are wearing the Scottish clan tartan in the form of the kilt and appropriate attire, then Scottish traditions really ought to be followed. Others may of course differ, but it does clearly demonstrate that wearing the Scottish kilt outwith these shores does create a conflict of traditions.

**1oldsarge** · 29th November 16, 04:25 PM

6 yrs in the Reserves; PS2, Capt. of the Port, L.A., Long Beach;
Spec. Agent, CG Intelligence. Retired after 32 yrs civilian law enf.
Great to meet you!

Originally Posted by CollinMacD

Semper Paratus, served 1969 - 1974 (Viet Nam - Operation Marketime) CGC Chase, Boutwell, Group Boston, also TDY to CG Airsta Salem on HU16 for International Ice Patrol, was Radioman.