formal evening dress: vest or no?

[Macman]

MacLowlife, it's a Sergeant's sash. They're worn in the Commonwealth forces, are red, and denote Sergeants, Warrant Officers, etc. I've never worn one, so I'll leave it to someone else to give more detail.

[macwilkin]

MacLowlife, it's a Sergeant's sash. They're worn in the Commonwealth forces, are red, and denote Sergeants, Warrant Officers, etc. I've never worn one, so I'll leave it to someone else to give more detail.

Sashes were also worn by officers and NCO's of the US Army during the 19th century as a symbol of rank, and the officer's sash worn over the right shoulder:

http://howardlanham.tripod.com/link27.htm

T.

[AFS1970]

I do so like to learn things. Although I see hat for years what I wore was a violation of the rules. It is a good thing that even with the much older crowd at the Saint Andrew's Society, there was not a Kilt Policeman in the lot.

When I bought my kilt, I bought a set that came with the PC, 3 button Waistcoat, and Belt with silver buckle, as well as a few other things. No mention was ever made of not wearing it all together. When I would go to dinners, It was quite common to see dirks being worn with the PC and this required the wearing of a belt. I wonder would a belt with a buckle other than silver be useful for such a purpose?

As I no longer own a PC or vest, as a matter of fact I no longer own anything that could be considered formal wear, this is not an issue for me. Just about the only formality rule that still applies is the wearing of jeweled items only at evening and plain only at the day. I recently had to adjust even that one, as I was at an event that started at noon time but ended late into the evening. I chose plain, as more o the event seemed informal than formal.

[Bruce Scott]

MacLowlife, it's a Sergeant's sash. They're worn in the Commonwealth forces, are red, and denote Sergeants, Warrant Officers, etc. I've never worn one, so I'll leave it to someone else to give more detail.

The Australian Army Infantry Corps adopted the scarlet sash worn by warrant officers class two and senior NCOs from the British Army, which has been wearing it since the 17th century. Some were worn around the waist, whilst others were worn over the shoulder. The sashes were used as badges of rank. However, it is said that they also had a practical purpose, originally being used to drag the wounded from the battlefield. Legend also has it that because they became blood stained it was decided that they would be coloured scarlet so as to 'hide' the blood stains.

The British Regiments of Foot had officers wearing silken sashes over the left shoulder and senior NCOs wore worsted sashes over the right shoulder. Today in the Australian Army, general officers and officers holding certain appointments wear sashes around their waist when dressed in Ceremonial Dress. Infantry warrant officers class two, senior NCOs and senior cadets at the Royal Military College Duntroon , wear the scarlet sash when on parade, in mess dress and when carrying out regimental duties.

There are many tall stories told in messes about the scarlet sash and its cords (or tassels). Stories of the cords range from their representing British Army campaigns or Army line regiments to their use for counting casualties on the battlefield. None of these are true and are often used to leg-pull the newly promoted sergeant.

Source: http://www.defence.gov.au/ARMY/stayarmy/RAINF.asp