"Cookie Cutter" Pipe Band Dress

[EagleJCS]

Being in a pipe band, I can understand both points of view and I think I understand why OC started the thread here.The main differences between what I wear with the band and what I wear away from the band are not that great. (There's a change in kilt, hose and sporran, but the general appearance is the same).

Pipe bands - both competitive and non-competitive - are generally more conservative in their attire than the average Highland Games attendee, even the clan tent representatives, at least here in the US. Most competing pipe bands, at least in this part of the country, try to hew closer to the line of "traditional" attire, albeit in a 'uniform' - meaning being dressed the same - manner. You likely won't see band members wearing some of the combinations we've seen in pics in other threads. Non-competitive bands are another thing altogether, and may be more 'Brigadoon-ish' if wearing things out of context just because they saw it somewhere else.

That said, competing pipe bands I'm familiar with also tend to "follow the herd" in regards to some aspects (wearing white hose - which is now changing to other colors as the costs come down; an odd style of sporran - neither 'daywear' nor 'eveningwear'; black Argyle jackets at any time of day; and so on). Many bands will copy the look of a popular or visually different band to try to set themselves apart from their competitors. In that respect, bands are not quite conforming to what is considered 'traditional' attire.

Referencing an old book for one's modern sartorial cues is probably not in one's best interest, but it does give everyone a common frame of reference as a starting point for discussion. It may be more instructive to say: "Have a look at so-and-so on page x. The modern look is similar, but we use this or omit that instead."