A Predicament

[davedove]

I am facing a dilemna. I had made the decision not to buy any more kilts until I lost some inches. Now, however, it looks like I will be attending the Army Ball in June. I would really like to have a US Army tartan kilt to wear for the occasion, but that means I will have to order it.

What do you all think? Should I just wear my family kilt and wait to order, or should I go ahead and order the kilt and maybe get it a little smaller and just not wear it at the tightest notch? Or should I just order the kilt to fit and accept the consequences?

I'll have everything else, so the kilt is the only thing I will have to order. Well, I guess I'll have to get a kilt pin to go with it.

Just to make it perfectly clear, I'm a Dept. of the Army civilian, so I won't be wearing a uniform, but civilian formal wear (kilted, of course).

[GlassMan]

I say Buy the New Kilt but ask them to size it for your current waist size to be near the outside edge of the size window instead of at the tightest setting as is often the case. That way as you lose pounds you can still get some use from it without having to move the straps or have a professional take it in. Besides, many reason is a good reason to get a new kilt!

[cavscout]

Being the mature, sensible male that my wife thinks I am :rolleyes: I would say wait. If you order the kilt now and in 6 weeks when it comes in find you have lost 1" or 2 " you're in a pickle. You won't be under-dressed in your family tartan AND you'll still stand out in the crowd.

Now, what I really want to say is ... BUY man, I say BUY!!

[davedove]

You all know I really want to get the new kilt, I'm just using you as an excuse.

[bjcustard]

I am facing a dilemna. I had made the decision not to buy any more kilts until I lost some inches. Now, however, it looks like I will be attending the Army Ball in June. I would really like to have a US Army tartan kilt to wear for the occasion, but that means I will have to order it.
...
Just to make it perfectly clear, I'm a Dept. of the Army civilian, so I won't be wearing a uniform, but civilian formal wear (kilted, of course).

Dave,

I would never tell anyone what they can or cannot wear. This is the USA, Land of the Free and Home of the Brave.

That being said, it is my understanding that the Tartan usually referred to as "the US Army" tartan is in fact the West Point tartan, and is (allegedly) limited to graduates of the Academy.

We've had more than enough threads regarding who can wear what tartan, and I'm not trying to kick that horse. But IF this is the case for that tartan (even if it is only the case in the minds of the military personnel attending the function), it might be perceived in a similar manner as someone wearing a uniform or other decoration that they are not entitled to wear. I presume you work for the Dept of the Army, so I would think this might put you in a difficult situation.

I would really check into what the perception would be of a civilian wearing that tartan at that function. As ex-Army, I personally would not wear it to a military function. I might own it (and in fact do own a shirt in that tartan from LLBean), but I would not wear it there.

If I'm wrong about that tartan, everyone feel free to pile on...

Just my $0.02, YMMV.

[davedove]

Dave,

I would never tell anyone what they can or cannot wear. This is the USA, Land of the Free and Home of the Brave.

That being said, it is my understanding that the Tartan usually referred to as "the US Army" tartan is in fact the West Point tartan, and is (allegedly) limited to graduates of the Academy.

We've had more than enough threads regarding who can wear what tartan, and I'm not trying to kick that horse. But IF this is the case for that tartan (even if it is only the case in the minds of the military personnel attending the function), it might be perceived in a similar manner as someone wearing a uniform or other decoration that they are not entitled to wear. I presume you work for the Dept of the Army, so I would think this might put you in a difficult situation.

I would really check into what the perception would be of a civilian wearing that tartan at that function. As ex-Army, I personally would not wear it to a military function. I might own it (and in fact do own a shirt in that tartan from LLBean), but I would not wear it there.

If I'm wrong about that tartan, everyone feel free to pile on...

Just my $0.02, YMMV.

There is another tartan just called the US Army tartan, different from the West Point tartan. I wouldn't personally wear the West Point tartan either, as I have no connection to West Point.

Now the Army tartan I do feel I'm qualified to wear. First of all, it's not an official uniform item, so a civilian can wear it. Secondly, I served in both the Active Army for three years and the Reserve for another two, so I have been in uniform. Finally, I've worked for the Army as a civilian for another 17 years (I just got my 20 year service pin).

Of course, I plan to wear it neatly and with respect, and since it's a military function I will wear my medals with it (all legit of course). If it was an official uniform item, I wouldn't wear it, as I'm no longer in uniform (and haven't been for a while:rolleyes: ).

Actually, the Army tartan is only about a year or so old, so most people probably wouldn't even know what it is.

[Joe Gondek]

I didn't think that there wasa a U.S. Army tartan where did you you find it?

Joe G

[bjcustard]

There is another tartan just called the US Army tartan, different from the West Point tartan.

Can you point me at examples of them? I was not aware there were two of them...

TIA!

[davedove]

It was just recently registered by the Scottish Tartans Authority. The only place I have seen it for sale is through Alexis Malcolm kilts:

http://www.alexismalcolmkilts.bigste...generic14.html

As you can see on the page, the West Point tartan is also shown.

[KiltedKnight]

Can't wear the Army tartan? Who decided that, some shave tail lewie? If any clan tartan can be worn by anyone that cares to why should someone wanting to honor the Army or any military branch be forbidden to wear that particular tartan? I say get the Kilt and wear it with pride!


Chris.