Saw Pipe Major insignia on Prince Charlie Jacket

[beloitpiper]

Yeah, I'm only 21, and I dress pretty conservatively! My love for tweed and tartan has people saying that I dress like my grandpa...

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

but then again, how does the saying goes: "opinions are like ... we all have one" ?

in certain countries, you are allowed to wear your military (or civilian) medals with your civilian clothes.

Bottom line, as always, is simply to be aware that what is dumb to you, is really smart for others, and to each his/her own.

.

...and thank you for your opinion.

Here's how it works (in abbreviated form) in those parts of the world that follow the British model for the wearing of orders, decorations, and medals with civilian attire:

DAY and EVENING DRESS

Neck Badges of Orders
Not more than one neck badge to be worn. Same for evening.
Breast Stars of Orders
One breast star to be worn (only applies to morning dress). One breast star with black tie, and a maximum of four with white tie.
Broad Ribbons of Orders
Broad ribbon (cordon) not worn with day dress or morning dress. In the evening only one broad ribbon (cordon) is worn, but only with white tie.
Decorations and Medals
Full size medals are worn with day dress and morning dress, while only miniature medals are worn with black tie and white tie.

Now those are the rules, and because highland attire has its roots in Scotland, these are the rules most commonly followed when kilted.

You will note that things like badges of rank, chevrons, military trade badges (pipe majors, signalman second class, etc.), colour-sergeant sashes, etc., are not worn with civilian attire. Now someone may think that pasting all of this stuff on their Prince Charlie coatee looks cool, but that doesn't make it so. It makes it doubly "not so" when they wear their Prince Charlie coatee before six o'clock in the evening.

The worst advice that you can give anyone is "do as you please", because it ignores the consequences of that advice. It is a hard, cold, and cruel fact of life that those who "do as they please" are usually the subject of ridicule, if not worse.

So, what's "dumb" to me, is to offer advice to people that will make them look "dumb" to those that know (and respect) the rules.

[puddlemuddle]

ok,
well,
after watching the video..took me a little longer to get home..had to meet my wife at the doctors with our 21 monthy old who has an ear infection...that IS a mess Jacket...I guess I should really double check what I am asking before posting...sorry
Chad

[Bugbear]

ok,
well,
after watching the video..took me a little longer to get home..had to meet my wife at the doctors with our 21 monthy old who has an ear infection...that IS a mess Jacket...I guess I should really double check what I am asking before posting...sorry
Chad

I like the idea of wearing a mess jacket with formal Highland attire, but not with the insignia duhicky. It's not as complicated as a PC in my mind.

So, there are choices and alternatives available without looking "stupid."

[Carolina Kiltman]

While the "rules" have changed a great deal since the 60's, there is still a significant segment of our society which demands, not asks, that the "rules" be followed. I had constant dealings with them before I retired, and always dressed to their standards. (I was asking for money!). My general rule was; It is better to err on the side a "traditional" than go too far the other way. (I always a wore a three piece outfit, not always matching colours but always tried to look "conservative" doing so.)

To my mind (and taste) there is nothing more traditional than the "tank". That is why I think the piper in question is a bit overdone. Especially with the rank on the sleeves. If it were a military mess jacket, then the rank would be appropriate. Is it?

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Having just viewed the video of Gordon Walker (thanks for the link, Sandy)-- who in my opinion may just be the best piper on the planet-- it seems pretty obvious that he's wearing a costume-- totally appropriate for a stage appearance, but not to be emulated for evening attire.

[Bugbear]

Having just viewed the video of Gordon Walker (thanks for the link, Sandy)-- who in my opinion may just be the best piper on the planet-- it seems pretty obvious that he's wearing a costume-- totally appropriate for a stage appearance, but not to be emulated for evening attire.

I just listened to the video too. Wow, the grace notes!

[Jack Daw]

Funny, but I wasn't that way when I was under 30.

T.

I was always Mr. Button-Down Collar, myself.

[planemaker]

Were you thinking of this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmJUBiTk6bw


Sandford MacLean

If this is the video that you are talking about, that is a British Army Mess Dress Uniform, which looks much like a PC jacket. He is wearing regimental badges, and Mess Minature Medals.

IMHO....I would not wear Drum/Pipe Major badges on a PC jacket..

Cheers!

Paul
Captain, (Ret)
Canadian Forces - Air Reserve

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

If this is the video that you are talking about, that is a British Army Mess Dress Uniform, which looks much like a PC jacket. He is wearing regimental badges, and Mess Minature Medals.

IMHO....I would not wear Drum/Pipe Major badges on a PC jacket..

Cheers!

Paul
Captain, (Ret)
Canadian Forces - Air Reserve

Paul,
That is the video I was talking about in my previous post, and while the jacket he's wearing does look like a mess jacket, for the life of me I couldn't figure out what regiment it was supposed to be. The jacket appears to black with black facings-- not worn by any Scottish regiment that I am familiar with, nor does his kilt seem to be of any regimental pattern. This (along with the civilian sporran), added to the fact that he's piping on stage, led me to assume that he's in a costume. He looks good on stage, isn't wearing anything he isn't entitled to (I guess??), and delivers visually (as well as audibly) exactly what the audience wants and expects.

I think this underscores both of our opinions that band or military trade insignia has no place on civilian attire-- unless, of course, one is a world class piper performing on stage!

Best regards,
Scott