Adding a small bit of a different tartan

[sp00ky]

Hello,

I have read quie a few posts about mixing tartans, but here is my situation... I wear a modern MacKenzie



My Grandfather, on my Mother's side passed this summer. I will be honouring him at this year's Samhain ritual, and would like to add a small bit to my outift to his end.

That side of the family is Irish, however he served 30+years in the RCAF, enlisted at 17 (he lied) and retired a Captain, rising through the ranks to a NCO, an then recieving his commission.

I am thinking of how I could add a bit of the RCAF tartan



to my oufit, I was thinking something small, unobtrusive, maybe a swatch here, ribbon there, or maybe hose flashes.. not really sure. Do not have the means to get a full RCAF kilt, maybe someday...

If it helps, this is not at all a formal event or anything, and it held outdoors, this year on November 1st at dusk, in Canada so there will be bundling.

Any advice appreciated...

[McMurdo]

I think it's wonderful that you want to honour your grandfather in this way, perhaps you could wear a piece of tartan behind your badge on a Balmoral or a Glengarry if you have one. Flashes as you already mentioned would also be an idea. I know you said you do not have the means for a kilt at the moment, but I thought I'd throw this out there for you. Burnett's and Struth have the RCAF tartan in their casual sale here is the link
http://www.burnetts-struth.com/produ...oducts_id=1239

Perhaps when you do have the means this would be one way to go.

[Ancienne Alliance]

Yes, the flash issue is the safest.


Best,

Robert

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

The fact that this isn't a "formal" event doesn't mean that one shouldn't dress appropriately. If it were me, I would be wearing a white shirt, RCAF tartan tie, Argyll jacket, and whatever else might be needed to keep my teeth from chattering like castanets. In other words, I'd dress exactly like I would if attending any other memorial service, regardless of its religious overtones. If you aren't going to wear a jacket and tie then the flashes would probably be a safe alternative.

[Jock Scot]

I am not saying I am right and everybody else is wrong, but I personally would no more wear something that I was not entitled to, than fly to the moon. As I understand it and forgive me if I am wrong, you did not serve in the RCAF therefore you really ought not even consider wearing anything that you are not entitled to wear, particularly with a military connection. I think I am right in saying that The RCAF tartan is not official RCAF dress, so just like a regimental tie it is civilian wear, even so, you, in my humble opinion, will be doing your late and obviously well respected Grandfather no service(honour) at all by wearing something you are not entitled to wear.

[Highland Logan]

I am not saying I am right and everybody else is wrong, but I personally would no more wear something that I was not entitled to, than fly to the moon. As I understand it and forgive me if I am wrong, you did not serve in the RCAF therefore you really ought not even consider wearing anything that you are not entitled to wear, particularly with a military connection. I think I am right in saying that The RCAF tartan is not official RCAF dress, so just like a regimental tie it is civilian wear, even so, you, in my humble opinion, will be doing your late and obviously well respected Grandfather no service(honour) at all by wearing something you are not entitled to wear.

Actually Jock,

The RCAF tartan is the officially approved tartan of the modern Canadian Forces Air Command and is worn by Air Command pipe bands. And as to the "entitled to" bit, I do agree.

Frank

[Jock Scot]

Actually Jock,

The RCAF tartan is the officially approved tartan of the modern Canadian Forces Air Command and is worn by Air Command pipe bands. And as to the "entitled to" bit, I do agree.

Frank

Thank you for that correction Frank. In that case, I am even more convinced that the RCAF tartan should not be worn by those that are not entitled to wear it.

[Highland Logan]

spOOky,

If you want to honour him I would suggest that you get a really great picture of Him in his best uniform, and have it matted so that you can put a swatch of RCAF tartan under the picture. Honouring people doesn't mean that we have to cover ourselves in "them". I served 13 years with the RCA, and if someone told me they wanted to honour me, I would tell them to either enlist or hang a picture on the wall. The accoutrements of the artillery have no place with those who did not serve, and they are not mine to give. There are posters here from time to time who already have their mind made up when they post on topics like this, and really only exspect to hear a yes. And for every ex-servicemen who says "yes", there are probley a lot more who would say "no".. and like I said, for all those who say "yes", where did they get the right to give what is not theirs, but something that belongs to all of their trade, or regiment.

Frank

[SFCRick]

I am one that agrees with Jock, unless you have served - not your uncle, brother, father, granpa, mailman, cousin, guy you saw on tv- wear something else. Of course a historical reenactor should wear a proper Tartan. Why not wear a pin.

[sp00ky]

Thank-you all so far for your honest replies....

With regards to the latter posts, I agree, and beside $$, as McMurdo pointed out a RCAF casual kilt can be had for less than $250, I really don't feel comfortable wearing a military kilt since I have never served in the military.

My original question was not "Can I wear the RCAF Kilt", unlike the "My pops was a leatherneck..." thread it was simply with regards to the incorporation of a small bit of one tartan into the larger "look". Now my own words of "Do not have the funds to get a full RCAF kilt.. maybe someday" most likely is the cause of this.

My thread's intention was to add a small bit of a different tartan "I was thinking something small, unobtrusive, maybe a swatch here, ribbon there, or maybe hose flashes.."

So, personally while I guess I have come to the conclusion that I agree wearing the full kilt would be wrong, personally I also have no qualms about adding some hose flash, or a swatch to my outfit, so I will return the thread to its original intention of experience having done this or suggestion as to the most eye pleasing way to accomplish it.

If all fails with regards to my own outfit, I plan to purchase a scarf (since it is going to be cold anyway) in the RCAF Tartan and have my daughter wear it.

Respectfully,

Scott