Rugby Wear

**Karl R** · 23rd January 20, 08:59 PM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

There are two traditional sizes of waistbelts worn in Highland Dress.

Here's full Victorian civilian Evening Dress showing the dirk belt and crossbelt

I hear what you're saying, but I'm still missing the point. Are the gentlemen in the photos wearing belly-plates, or not? It looks like they have an extra 1/2" (at most) in each direction over the ones I attach to my belt.

**OC Richard** · 23rd January 20, 09:03 PM

Originally Posted by Karl R

I hear what you're saying, but I'm still missing the point. Are the gentlemen in the photos wearing belly-plates, or not? It looks like they have an extra 1/2" (at most) in each direction over the ones I attach to my belt.

I've never heard the term "belly plates" and I'm not sure what it means.

With ACW accoutrements the term "belt plate" is used for rectangular solid belt buckles, as opposed to a "frame buckle" which is an open rectangle with tongue.

With Highland Dress I've generally heard them called "buckles" regardless of shape.

Also not sure what you mean by "an extra 1/2 inch in each direction". The buckles are rectangular. Nowadays they're always "landscape" but in Victorian times they would often be "portrait". The photo I posted above shows both dirk belt buckle styles with the same hardware pattern.

These Highland belts don't buckle like a belt used for jeans. The buckle has a loop for the belt (which loops back onto itself) on one side, and a tongue on the other side, that goes into a hook-like loop of metal. So you do the adjusting BEFORE you put the belt on.

The rear of the buckle

The belt

**Hirsty** · 23rd January 20, 10:59 PM

Until I moved over The Pond, I used to go to almost every international match at Murrayfield. Until about 10 years ago I think I was one of the few to wear a Rugby jersey and kilt - it seemed that it was one or the other. It is much more common nowadays.
You tend to see both, tucked in or hinging out. I personally am of the latter persuasion. Wear what is comfortable for you as both look fine in a casual environment.

**Hirsty** · 23rd January 20, 11:02 PM

One other thing - if you are ordering the official Scotland Jersey made by Macron, order at least two sizes larger than you usually wear.
I bought the fan's jersey made of cotton. I usually wear an XL but had to purchase a XXXL and it is still a wee bit on the tight side.

**OC Richard** · 25th January 20, 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by Hirsty

if you are ordering the official Scotland Jersey made by Macron, order at least two sizes larger than you usually wear.

Yes, I have an official Macron Scotland Rugby shirt in "3XL" and it's a bit snug of a USA 2XL.

I've not tried a Macron 4XL but I'm guessing that it would fit more or less like a standard USA 2XL.

Buy up two sizes like you say.

**Tomo** · 27th January 20, 06:29 AM

Originally Posted by Hirsty

Until about 10 years ago I think I was one of the few to wear a Rugby jersey and kilt - it seemed that it was one or the other.

I've got to admit it's become more uniform and popular - but the pics I posted were in Paris in 2003 and Rome in 2006. A bit more than 10 years ago and I was certainly far from in the minority - but that said, I am more likely to throw my kilt on for away games (as in nearly always) but maybe 50/50 when at Murrayfield.

**OC Richard** · 30th January 20, 05:15 AM

About brimmed hats with kilts, it's just a matter of common sense and Highland Dress adapting to conditions.

The Scottish regiments never hesitated to modify or change headdress to suit sunny climes- around 1800 the regiments added a visor to the feather bonnet! And later introduced sun helmets, then wide-brimmed hats. Protecting the troops from sunburns was obviously more important than sticking with traditional Highland headdress.

And so it is with civilian Highland Dress: it adapts as needed.

Here's a gathering of XMarkers at a California Highland Games. We have fair skin and live in a hot sunny climate and we wear what makes sense.

Here's a modern pipe band in Australia. Nothing Texan about it!

**McMurdo** · 4th February 20, 12:43 AM

FWIW I always tuck in a rugby shirt this photo was taken in late 2007 or early 2008

**OC Richard** · 5th February 20, 04:41 AM

Not so much on the rugby topic but the "cowboy hat" or brimmed hat with Highland Dress topic, here's the Pipes and Drums of the 5th Wellington West Coast and Taranaki (5WWCT) Battalion

The hat style, called Montana Peak in the USA nowadays, in the 1897 Sears catalog was called the Pine Ridge Sombrero or Cowboy's Hat (actual cowboy hats had flat brims)