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

[Jock Scot]

Collin

Frankly I don't know whether to laugh or cry at your answer, but you are right, we are better to agree to disagree.

[48HofC]

I am Canadian Collin and attended the same type of events you do, you are 100% correct when it comes to wearing medals on these occasions. It is the norm from what I have observed.

[Taskr]

Greetings Colin,
My maternal heritage is also Clanranald, arriving on the Hector in Pictou NS - I went with ancient colours and my siblings will never be able to surpass the brownie points now held with my mom. I must say that I am rather envious reading your list of attire, clothing and accessories. You seem to have just about everything covered off, including things to wear with "regular" clothes
The belt choice, after reading much on the forums, I've left to the "waistcoat on/belt off, waistcoat off/belt optional" guidance. I will note, though, that where I have seen someone wearing a waistcoat and belt, the belt has always been under the bottom of the waistcoat (yours appears to be worn over the waistcoat?). I turfed my tartan flashes as soon as I could (well, not really, they are still in a drawer). The use of complimentary and even 'flashy' colour flashes are more in line with full hose ties; of which I also have a set and will get more (right, Santa?) Imagine a vibrant red, or mustard with your outfit; smashing - IMO
I too wear my miniatures at formal events where medals are indicated, or implied (military dinners). I have also worn my large medals on my Crail jacket where appropriate to the event (eg: the guest box at the Royal NS Tattoo, GG Honours and Awards Ceremony). The guide to wearing of honours and awards appropriately and when appropriate note the order of dress and not the type of dress.
I wish you well in your recovery, appreciate your service, and hope to continue to hear from you and see your many levels of tartan dress here on the forums.

dh' aindeòin cò theireadh e

[CollinMacD]

I got a lot of great pointers on this board, and am very appreciative of all the comments.

I might not agree with everything, but most I do. As stated I need to learn more, and this is how.

I am in agreement with the belt, I will not wear that. I have also removed the broach and the fly, and will not wear that with the miniature medals. When I go to events were I do not where the medal I might wear the fly. I also will make sure the kilt is hiked up more, the hose is rolled below the knee, the flashes show only the ends. I have got a white wing tip collar shirt with a black tie and a tartan tie, still need to decide on that.

Just want to thank all of your for you comments, assistance, and constructive criticism as all of it makes me think and want to represent my clan with honor, regardless of being Scottish, Candadian or American, we all want to make sure our appearance is proper and respectful. Thanks.

[Jock Scot]

For what its worth, I would forget the wing tip collar and go with a fold down collar. Why? You will look like a Dickensian clerk with the wing tip collar! Also, never (ok never say never) NEVER wear a tartan tie with the tartan kilt. I know some do, but...............you really have to know your kilt attire particularly well to get away with it and few do.

Remember two things, "less is more" and "keep it simple".

[Taskr]

An interesting observation, Jock. I am accustomed to wearing wingtip collar from my military mess kit days, which transferred over to tuxedo. Just conducted a Google image search, to include Prince Charles formal kilted of course, and low and behold excepting images seemingly from hire shops not many wingtip collars to be seen at all. I do have a formal fold-down collar for use with tux for a particular group, and have only worn for that. With a formal dinner tonight, I shall wrest myself from wing-tip to wear the fold-down with the kilt!

and ditto to the tartan tie. I could never make that work.

[CollinMacD]

For what its worth, I would forget the wing tip collar and go with a fold down collar. Why? You will look like a Dickensian clerk with the wing tip collar! Also, never (ok never say never) NEVER wear a tartan tie with the tartan kilt. I know some do, but...............you really have to know your kilt attire particularly well to get away with it and few do.

Remember two things, "less is more" and "keep it simple".

Agreed...

[CollinMacD]

For what its worth, I would forget the wing tip collar and go with a fold down collar. Why? You will look like a Dickensian clerk with the wing tip collar! Also, never (ok never say never) NEVER wear a tartan tie with the tartan kilt. I know some do, but...............you really have to know your kilt attire particularly well to get away with it and few do.

Remember two things, "less is more" and "keep it simple".

Sir,

Just wanted to let you know, I took you advise on most items, and agree with you fully. The only item I stuck to was my Military Medals, and just wanted to let you know, about 99% of the Veterans that attended the Clan Dinner, all wore their Military Medals, active, retired and veterans. I asked them about his, and all referred to a group called SAMS, and told me they recommend that all active and veterans display their medals. I don't know who SAMS is, but sound interesting. So, Jock, please I don't mean to throw this back, I just wanted to inform you of what most seem to be doing here in the US with regard to military medals during formal dress occasions. I did were a nice fold down collar shirt, black tie, kilt slightly above knee, plan black hose, and the improved on all the other small items people stated. I felt so much better and confident because of the advice I received from you and others. I certainly have other occasions that I will be attending, which I will not display the military medals. I did notice about 50% were wearing flies, and some with medals too. I can see why they clash, and did not wear my fly, took your advice on that, no belt neither. I did as you suggested KEPT IT SIMPLE, and agree with you fully.

So thank you so much, Jock and everybody else who made suggestions.

Collin MacDonald