fly plaid and military uniform

[Geoff Withnell]

Agreed. Primarily a non-issue. I concur with not normally wearing decorations as non-active duty to a wedding. It just seems a little out of place. I might, if it was a formal military wedding in a base chapel. The most mmm interesting wear of medal with civilian attire I have seen is the young lady I got a glimpse of a couple of years ago at a Marine Corps Birthday Ball. Strapless formal gown, with her minature medals fastened to a satin sash over her left shoulder, medals about where they normally go, sash pinned at her right hip. No, I don't have photos.

I, for one, don't really see a problem-- the OP asked about wearing a fly plaid and medals (on his Prince Charlie coatee) to his grand daughters wedding. Generally, it's the custom that only the groom wears a fly plaid; the wearing of medals with civilian attire is another matter, and two things bear on this discussion. The first is that, generally speaking, social custom in the USA dictates that medals are only worn to weddings by active duty military personnel in uniform. The second, which applies mostly to the USA, is the wearing (or more accurately the placement) of medals on civilian Highland attire. One camp suggests following the service regulations of one's respective branch of the military, the other advocates following the customs of how civilian Highland attire should be worn. It's all really much of a muchness which really boils down to how much weight one wishes to attach to social etiquette and cultural custom. That's hardly a problem in my book.

[Drac]

Agreed. Primarily a non-issue. I concur with not normally wearing decorations as non-active duty to a wedding. It just seems a little out of place. I might, if it was a formal military wedding in a base chapel. The most mmm interesting wear of medal with civilian attire I have seen is the young lady I got a glimpse of a couple of years ago at a Marine Corps Birthday Ball. Strapless formal gown, with her minature medals fastened to a satin sash over her left shoulder, medals about where they normally go, sash pinned at her right hip. No, I don't have photos.

Now that is a fasion statement

Main reason for the way I choose is due to the fact I'm still in the Reserves and I only wear my medals to military functions. I'm very likely to be called out and unlike the supposed fasion police here the ones at these functions have the authority to do bad things to me.

Jim

[Newfoundlander]

Xzoomy, have you made a decision as to a course of action? Sitrep?

[OC Richard]

Fly plaid and military uniform? The answer is yes!



Though these plaids worn in the Army are not at all like the modern civilian "fly plaids".

The traditional plaids, often called "drummer's plaids" nowadays, were worn by all ranks in the Army in Full Dress and were also very popular with civilian Evening Dress.

They were called "belted plaids" in the old days, because they had a belt, and were in fact a rather complex tailored garment:

[macwilkin]

I, for one, don't really see a problem-- the OP asked about wearing a fly plaid and medals (on his Prince Charlie coatee) to his grand daughters wedding. Generally, it's the custom that only the groom wears a fly plaid; the wearing of medals with civilian attire is another matter, and two things bear on this discussion. The first is that, generally speaking, social custom in the USA dictates that medals are only worn to weddings by active duty military personnel in uniform. The second, which applies mostly to the USA, is the wearing (or more accurately the placement) of medals on civilian Highland attire. One camp suggests following the service regulations of one's respective branch of the military, the other advocates following the customs of how civilian Highland attire should be worn. It's all really much of a muchness which really boils down to how much weight one wishes to attach to social etiquette and cultural custom. That's hardly a problem in my book.

The other issue is of course that technically medals and decorations should only be worn to a function if the invitation to said event specifically states, "medals and decorations". I attend two private gents-only Burns Nights which are black tie, but there are no medals and decorations worn.

I do agree with Rathdown that since the US Armed Forces does not have, in general, a long-standing tradition of Highland regiments, when in mufti, it's best to follow the customs of the British Commonwealth, given that Highland attire originated in Scotland.

I have witnessed this debate "in person" between my best friend and his father-in-law; the former served a hitch in the US Army as a combat engineer, the latter retired from the Navy as a Master-at-Arms (please, gents, be gentle on him!). My friend wears his medals court-mounted with Highland rig, while his father-in-law wears his swing-mounted, following Navy custom.

T.

[Geoff Withnell]

No matter which tradition is followed, I wish more veterans would wear their decorations on suitable occasions. It supports the function of decorations, to allow us to recognize and honor those who have earned them, and allows them to inspire others to emulate their example.


As to your best friend's father-in-law, as a Marine, I will be as gentle with him as the Navy Masters-at-Arms I have dealt with were with me!

The other issue is of course that technically medals and decorations should only be worn to a function if the invitation to said event specifically states, "medals and decorations". I attend two private gents-only Burns Nights which are black tie, but there are no medals and decorations worn.

I do agree with Rathdown that since the US Armed Forces does not have, in general, a long-standing tradition of Highland regiments, when in mufti, it's best to follow the customs of the British Commonwealth, given that Highland attire originated in Scotland.

I have witnessed this debate "in person" between my best friend and his father-in-law; the former served a hitch in the US Army as a combat engineer, the latter retired from the Navy as a Master-at-Arms (please, gents, be gentle on him!). My friend wears his medals court-mounted with Highland rig, while his father-in-law wears his swing-mounted, following Navy custom.

T.

[macwilkin]

No matter which tradition is followed, I wish more veterans would wear their decorations on suitable occasions. It supports the function of decorations, to allow us to recognize and honor those who have earned them, and allows them to inspire others to emulate their example.


As to your best friend's father-in-law, as a Marine, I will be as gentle with him as the Navy Masters-at-Arms I have dealt with were with me!

Well said to both points, Geoff.

I won't repeat what a friend of mine, who is an ex-Chief Stoker in the Royal Australian Navy said about MA ratings, no matter what their nationality.

T.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

No matter which tradition is followed, I wish more veterans would wear their decorations on suitable occasions. It supports the function of decorations, to allow us to recognize and honor those who have earned them, and allows them to inspire others to emulate their example.

Couldn't agree more.

[fortcollinsjerry]

I like the idea of several of the offerings here, suggesting there is a MoD standard as well as US Military. I'm attending a Black Tie banquet here in Fort Collins in a couple of weeks and my rack of miniature ribbons is too large to fit within the width of the lapel so it is necessary for me to adopt the US standard. Over the pocket. I don't expect to be the only person so attired.

I've seen several Scot's (in Edinburgh) wearing their medals on suits and they are over the left pocket - very large. Apparently the UK MoD doesn't go in for miniature?

[macwilkin]

I like the idea of several of the offerings here, suggesting there is a MoD standard as well as US Military. I'm attending a Black Tie banquet here in Fort Collins in a couple of weeks and my rack of miniature ribbons is too large to fit within the width of the lapel so it is necessary for me to adopt the US standard. Over the pocket. I don't expect to be the only person so attired.

I've seen several Scot's (in Edinburgh) wearing their medals on suits and they are over the left pocket - very large. Apparently the UK MoD doesn't go in for miniature?

No, what you are seeing are full-sized "gongs"...miniature medals are only worn with evening attire and on the lapel.

Note that in Commonwealth customs, medals do drape over the lapels. Note this photo of the late George MacDonald Fraser, who served with the Border Regiment & Gordon Highlanders:

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/...8-_437471a.jpg

These are full-size "gongs".

T.