New Royal Regiment Of Scotland Dress Regs

[Frank McGrath]

I'm impressed. I wonder how big their closets are.

[MacAngus]

Great post. Thanks

[hospitaller]

Thanks for this fantastic visual reference!

And from it, do you know of a place where we could buy surplus 'issue brogues'?

The shape of those shoes is exactly what I wore in the Air Force Academy and I have not been able to find them, until now.

Any info is greatly appreciated.

Thanks again.

[Geoff Withnell]

I recall from my days on active duty with the USMC, that uniform regulations started from the skin out. We had regulation undershirts and drawers. I do not see any reference to such in this document. Is it because they are not mentioned that the assumption is that "regimental" is "regulation"? Is that in fact the case? Enquiring minds want to know.

Geoff Withnell

[Chas]

I recall from my days on active duty with the USMC, that uniform regulations started from the skin out. We had regulation undershirts and drawers. I do not see any reference to such in this document. Is it because they are not mentioned that the assumption is that "regimental" is "regulation"? Is that in fact the case? Enquiring minds want to know.

Geoff Withnell

When I joined the RAF in November 1970, our intake was the last to be issued with underpants.

During the war there was clothing rationing, which hung on for a long time afterwards. By the mid 60's everything was off ration and people were adjusting to being able to wear what they wanted. In general there were two styles of men's underpants: briefs (full support - generally known as 'Y fronts' - seen by younger people as trendy and modern (you could see the bulge)) and boxers (true boxers - coverage but no support at all - seen as old fashioned and something your grandfather would wear).

The forces issued boxers. During basic training, there was full kit inspection every morning. All issued kit that was not in the laundry, was laid out for inspection (washed and ironed). Like most other Airmen at the time, I wore my own underwear and kept the issue underwear for inspections (so no ironing and time saved).

The regulations do not and cannot cover all the possible kit issues. There are many types of underwear that are still issued for special purposes - anti-static; heat resisting/cooling; anti-bacterial; heat retaining are just some of the types. As a general rule of thumb, if the kit is need for operational purposes it will be issued - there are at least a dozen different types of wristwatch.

Regards

Chas

[longhuntr74]

And from it, do you know of a place where we could buy surplus 'issue brogues'?

Digging up some old threads regarding Brogues...I just stumbled upon the RROS Uniform Regulations myself and would like to own a set of the issued brogues seen in the examples.

A couple of points caught my attention...
1. These Brogues are not the same as what many vendors advertise as "Regimental Ghillie Brogues". The actual issued ones have standard laces and a tongue whereas the ones marketed by most vendors are of the open top lace design with long laces that wrap the ankle.
2. These appear to be quite substantial in the sole with a nice rounded toe. Can't tell if the soles on them are all leather or do they have non-slip rubber soles like many piper's brogues.

So I went looking on several websites looking for "wingtips" that appeared similar to the issued brogues. The pair I found that appear the closest in appearance in the toe and sole are made by Bostonian. The difference in the Bostonian though is that the broguing in the regimental issue brogue forms a loop across the top of the foot at the base of the laces, whereas the bostonian is more like the lacing on my issued US Military oxfords. Cole Hahn has a wingtip with the proper broguing around the laces, but the toe appears a bit pointier, the shaping of the sole more severe, etc. Here are the links.

http://piperlime.gap.com/browse/prod...ans-C38880.jsp

http://http://www.theshoemart.com/cg...LY&rpro=C07941

So back to Hospitaller's question that I'm wondering myself...anybody know a source for the "real deal"?

[d_lairson]

Anyone know the history of the green ribbons on the kilts? Also what's the deal with the blue shirts? I can understand the khaki ones, but the blue seems a little odd.

[acolander]

Longhuntr74 & hospitaller,

If you are looking for regimental/MoD issue brogues perhaps the best place is ebay. Used pair, either with or without hobnails & heel/toe irons, can be found for approx 10-20GBP ($17-$35), but posting form the UK to US will run you approx 20-30GBP due to weight.

Another alternative is to pick up a new pair from one of the regimental or ACF kit shops, but that will cost around 80-110GBP ($140-$170) for the brogues alone. I've come across the odd kilt shop that stocks these here in the US, but be prepared to pay nearly $200 for a new pair!

The soles are all leather and substantial, and if bought used are often double or even triple soled depending upon hobnails or not. Toe and heel irons are standard I believe, and would come included w/ a new pair.

I have 3 pair. They are definately well made to endure the rigours of parade etc and will last a very long time.

Word to the wise though, skip the ones w/ hobnails if you can unless you plan to parade in them often.. they sound great and all, and people will actually turn to look and move out of your way when coming up from behind. But they can be hazardous on concrete/paved inclines, metal coverings/manholes and such, and potentially cause embarassement (or awe) if worn into places w/ smooth/waxed floors such as grocery stores, ie flat on one's back w/ apron & sporran resting on one's chest in front of checkout lanes...

Hope that helps.

Cheers,
Christian

[acolander]

Anyone know the history of the green ribbons on the kilts? Also what's the deal with the blue shirts? I can understand the khaki ones, but the blue seems a little odd.

From what I have gleaned from historical info, and told previously by serving BW officers/squaddies, is that the green ribbons (Gaelic knots/bows) were originally used by officers to secure the front apron and their modesty, and later (1850's ??) became a symbol of rank worn by officers and SNCO's only.

The A&SH wore something similar.. an ornately embroidered panel along the apron edge w/ two rosettes on the panel and two smaller ones on a rear pleat, about the 4th or 6th pleat back on the right.

The blue shirts are from a regimental distinction as previously worn by officers/SNCOs of the Royal Highland Fusilisers, if I remember correctly... most other regiment senior ranks wore the usual "fawn" shirt for barracks dress, except for the A&SH, which wore a med grey shirt.

When the regiments amalgamated in 2006 the new uniform was based upon various bit & pieces of the remaining 7 Scottish regiments, hence the RHF blue shirts, regimental jumpers, and patrol jackets w/ spine pad, the Gordon black-buttoned spats, A&SH tartan kilts w/ BW knots, etc...

Hope that helps..

Cheers,
Christian

[longhuntr74]

Great history lesson Christian...this regulation is very interesting...wonder if I can jump ship from the US Army to go be a Royal Scot? LOL...kidding...but it would be a cool exchange program!!!!