Apprpriate dress for ceremonial occasion

[Farmer Jones]

Further to my note, an appropriate dark tie would be perfectly acceptable.

As a fellow Canadian, I would see it perfectly apppropriate to wear the official tartan of our country to honour our fallen at a Remembrance Day Ceremony. The Maple Leaf tartan is a national symbol and I too wear it on both Remembrance Day and Canada Day, with pride. Those who suggest that the kilt is a Scottish only icon know very little about the history of Commonwealth countries, (or particularly Canada). I would suggest a grey tweed jacket, perhaps with a Canadian Legion tie if you have one.

The tweed jacket I can do. I seem to have inadvertently amassed a collection of tweed jackets over the years. I have so far resisted joining the Legion, despite their regular requests that I do so, because of all my other community commitments. So I do not have a Legion tie. In the past I have worn plain ties, service organization ties and fraternal organization ties, with a suit. However, as a result of Downunder's insistence, I have already written to my parliamentary representative to have him ask the minister of heritage for guidance on a dress code for these occasions.

[Downunder Kilt]

The OP is officially representing the Country of Canada, the Kilt is not the National Dress of Canada, that is what I am saying. It is not just the tartan that the OP is referring to in this issue. I am not saying that the maple leaf tartan does not represent Canada. I am not saying that a person representing themself or their organisation should not wear the kilt. I am not saying you cannot wear the maple leaf tartan on the day. What I am mystified about is that a person representing the Canadian government at an official function would want to wear the national dress of another country. I would have the same query to a person who was a representative of the Canadian Goverment who would want to wear the Greek Foustanella/Tsolias to the ceremony. I totally agree that the kilt is a Scottish icon for any number of countries, but still does not make it right that a person representing the Canadian Goverment to wear the National dress of another country to an official event. Please seperate the tartan and the kilt. It is not the tartan that I see as being incorrect it is the method of wearing it in this circumstance i.e. as a kilt

Further to my note, an appropriate dark tie would be perfectly acceptable.

As a fellow Canadian, I would see it perfectly apppropriate to wear the official tartan of our country to honour our fallen at a Remembrance Day Ceremony. The Maple Leaf tartan is a national symbol and I too wear it on both Remembrance Day and Canada Day, with pride. Those who suggest that the kilt is a Scottish only icon know very little about the history of Commonwealth countries, (or particularly Canada). I would suggest a grey tweed jacket, perhaps with a Canadian Legion tie if you have one.

[Dangerdean]

The OP is officially representing the Country of Canada, the Kilt is not the National Dress of Canada, that is what I am saying. It is not just the tartan that the OP is referring to in this issue. I am not saying that the maple leaf tartan does not represent Canada. I am not saying that a person representing themself or their organisation should not wear the kilt. I am not saying you cannot wear the maple leaf tartan on the day. What I am mystified about is that a person representing the Canadian government at an official function would want to wear the national dress of another country. I would have the same query to a person who was a representative of the Canadian Goverment who would want to wear the Greek Foustanella/Tsolias to the ceremony. I totally agree that the kilt is a Scottish icon for any number of countries, but still does not make it right that a person representing the Canadian Goverment to wear the National dress of another country to an official event. Please seperate the tartan and the kilt. It is not the tartan that I see as being incorrect it is the method of wearing it in this circumstance i.e. as a kilt

A)The OP didn't ask for opinions about the appropriateness of wearing a kilt at this occasion, he asked about appropriate accoutrements.
B)As the link posted by Father Bill makes clear, the Maple Leaf tartan is an official national symbol of Canada, thus entirely appropriate for this occasion, where he's laying a wreath on behalf of Canada, but isn't an international delegate or something.
C)Further to your points, if someone wanted to wear Greek national dress to fulfill this task that would probably be fine with most people here. Suit and tie is not an official Canadian national dress.
D)Lastly, you'll notice that the Canadians involved in this thread are all cool with the idea.

Personally, I'd go with one of your tweeds and an appropriate rep tie. Since you have until November, maybe look at having one of your jackets altered to a kilt cut.

[TheOfficialBren]

The OP is officially representing the Country of Canada, the Kilt is not the National Dress of Canada, that is what I am saying. It is not just the tartan that the OP is referring to in this issue. I am not saying that the maple leaf tartan does not represent Canada. I am not saying that a person representing themself or their organisation should not wear the kilt. I am not saying you cannot wear the maple leaf tartan on the day. What I am mystified about is that a person representing the Canadian government at an official function would want to wear the national dress of another country. I would have the same query to a person who was a representative of the Canadian Goverment who would want to wear the Greek Foustanella/Tsolias to the ceremony. I totally agree that the kilt is a Scottish icon for any number of countries, but still does not make it right that a person representing the Canadian Goverment to wear the National dress of another country to an official event. Please seperate the tartan and the kilt. It is not the tartan that I see as being incorrect it is the method of wearing it in this circumstance i.e. as a kilt

Mike, it sounds like the OP wrote to the appropriate official organisation and received the official go-ahead to wear his kilt in the official Canadian tartan as recognised by the Canadian government. Canada's Scots make up a very large portion of the population and have contribute much to the nation's history...the first PM was Scottish-born!
There are Highland regiments in the Canadian Armed Forces. Kilted regiments from Canada have defended their nation wearing kilts!

Gaelic is a living language in parts of Canada. Scottish culture is alive and well in Canada, arguably moreso than in parts of Scotland today.

Like it or not the kilt began as a Scottish symbol (and still is, very much, first and fore-most Scotland's national dress) but has evolved to represent more than just Scotland but rather all Scots regardless of their nationality. Yes, a people's nationality and culture are two entirely different things. You're an Australian of Scottish heritage, as I understand. Australia has kilted regiments (Citizen's Brigades, if I recall correctly, and ar least five Regular Army units who were kilted for ceremony but took to the field in shorts during WWII) and Scottish-Australian organisations (military and civilian), do they not? Why the rub, sir?

I don't mean to come down so hard but goodness, man, what is the deal here?!

[Jock Scot]

Mike, it sounds like the OP wrote to the appropriate official organisation and received the official go-ahead to wear his kilt in the official Canadian tartan as recognised by the Canadian government. Canada's Scots make up a very large portion of the population and have contribute much to the nation's history...the first PM was Scottish-born!
There are Highland regiments in the Canadian Armed Forces. Kilted regiments from Canada have defended their nation wearing kilts!

Gaelic is a living language in parts of Canada. Scottish culture is alive and well in Canada, arguably moreso than in parts of Scotland today.

Like it or not the kilt began as a Scottish symbol (and still is, very much, first and fore-most Scotland's national dress) but has evolved to represent more than just Scotland but rather all Scots regardless of their nationality. Yes, a people's nationality and culture are two entirely different things. You're an Australian of Scottish heritage, as I understand. Australia has kilted regiments (Citizen's Brigades, if I recall correctly, and ar least five Regular Army units who were kilted for ceremony but took to the field in shorts during WWII) and Scottish-Australian organisations (military and civilian), do they not? Why the rub, sir?

I don't mean to come down so hard but goodness, man, what is the deal here?!

If I use Canada as an example. I have the greatest of respect for Canada, I have great respect for the Canadian Armed Services past and present, I have the greatest of respect for the Canadian people past and present, I have the greatest of respect for the Canadians with a Scots heritage too and I don't think there is a Scot alive that does not recognise and respect all of that fully.

However all of the above does not make any of them Scots of today, they are Canadians.

[BCAC]

If I use Canada as an example. I have the greatest of respect for Canada, I have great respect for the Canadian Armed Services past and present, I have the greatest of respect for the Canadian people past and present, I have the greatest of respect for the Canadians with a Scots heritage too and I don't think there is a Scot alive that does not recognise and respect all of that fully.

However all of the above does not make any of them Scots of today, they are Canadians.

I'm out of "ayes" for the day, Jock, but I can still post to say that I totally agree, so have a "plus one".

[Downunder Kilt]

Bren, the OP has contacted the Royal Canadian Legion, which I believe is a charitable organization and the organisers of the event. The OP is an official reprsentaive of the Canadian Government at this event and as such there are protocol standards. Quite often these standards are restrictive to your wants and wishes If he were a serving member of a Highland regiment, not a problem wearing a kilt. He is a civilian representing his government. A government which does not have a kilt as part of its national dress. I too have the greatest respect for Canadians and we Aussies have just as stong feelings regarding our heritage from the many countries that have populated our land. I respect the Maple leaf tartan as that being duly sanctioned by the Canadian Goverment. If the Goverment felt strongly enough about the kilt, I would suggest it would have been sanctioned the kilt as a Canadian symbol at the same time as the tartan.
What folks seem to be unable to accept is that the kilt is the national dress of Scotland and a civilian representing the government of another country at an official event, in my opinion is dressing inappropriately if they wear a kilt.

[MacCathmhaoil]

However all of the above does not make any of them Scots of today, they are Canadians.

Agreed! Agreed also is that the kilt is undoubtedly the national dress of Scotland!
You must then also understand that Canada is first and foremost a multicultural country where ones ethnic heritage is often proudly displayed and one is encouraged to do so by fellow citizens and our government! The culture here is one of celebrating where ones ancestors are from and sharing that with other Canadians. In Canada you will often see examples of many countries national dress walking through any shopping centre in a medium to large city. There has never been a push here to become a melting pot in fact very much the opposite.
While I do agree that the kilt is the national dress of Scotland it is also, to some of us, integral to the fabric of Canada! Many of us are only one or two generations "off the boat". The kilt is to some, representative of what makes up Canada, equally so a sari or many other nations dress. We are a country of émigrés, whom have cobbled together a rather unique cultural identity, one that very much remembers where we have come from and that we are still proud of it!

Wear your kilt I doubt you'll hear any complaints from anyone, other than those here perhaps!

[Liam]

If I use Canada as an example. I have the greatest of respect for Canada, I have great respect for the Canadian Armed Services past and present, I have the greatest of respect for the Canadian people past and present, I have the greatest of respect for the Canadians with a Scots heritage too and I don't think there is a Scot alive that does not recognise and respect all of that fully.

However all of the above does not make any of them Scots of today, they are Canadians.

And Jock... We are darned proud of it!

The Maple Leaf tartan (and thus a kilt or a tie or other clothing made from that tartan) is an Official symbol of Canada as is the beaver, our Flag, our Coat of Arms, our National sports of hockey and lacrosse. While tartan may have originated in Scotland, it is also very much a Canadian symbol as well.

[Glen]

...it has been my habit to wear a dark suit.

Canada is a large country, brother, but in this area, among those in the know, a dark suit is a lesser form of dress than any ethnic dress. You would be most appropriately dressed in a kilt, or other ethnic dress, for cenotaph duty to lay the wreath.

The Maple Leaf tartan is also most appropriate. A tweed jacket, as you state you have many, with any long tie would work, but find you local tailor and have it shortened. A number of threads on conversion have been posted.

Regardless of your choice, being Canada, few Canadians if any would comment as politeness is part of the nature for this accepting country. Ethnic dress is just that, not bound by water or lines between people.