Ghillies question

[Piper Mike]

Hi all
I have a beginners question. I try and tie my ghillie laces up my shin, but when I go to walk the laces always falls down to my ankles. I get the laces tight then twist it four times in the front bring it up and around from the back and then tie it, but always falls. Any idea what I'm doing wrong?
Mike

[chasem]

Don't bring them up so high. Keep them lower around the ankle area rather than going high.

[OC Richard]

Here are a bunch of guys who have been wearing ghillies regularly their whole lives. See how they have them laced.



Here's a closeup of how it's usually done

[madmacs]

Mine are tied in the front rather than the side, but that looks about right...

What socks are you wearing them with? Thicker probably work better.

I guess the other Q might be how tight are you tying them?

[Chas]

Ignoring that half the members here will say that you should not be wearing ghillies anyway, we are left with the fact that not all men are created equally. All legs are different as to length and girth and taper (mine are a particularly fine pair).

What can be done is a small brass safety-pin pinning the knot to the hose. If you use one of the very small ones it can hide behind the knot. No one will see it.

[Tomak]

USA Kilts (link at the top) has a video on the site that shows how to do it. I found it very helpful.

[OC Richard]

I've never seen anybody pin their ghillie laces... but as you say it's invisible.

We pipe band people here usually dress at the event, so I've seen hundreds of people put on their ghillies over the last 35 years and never seen that.

I don't understand why they would need to be pinned. If the laces are going around the narrowest part of the leg they're going to stay put, no?

I do always double-knot my ghillie laces because I don't want them coming untied at the wrong time (at a gig or in competition).

[Piper Mike]

Thanks everyone. I have to wear ghillie so as it's what the band all wear. I think I've figured it out now. Thank you all so much. I have my full uniform now.
Mike

[BCAC]

Thanks everyone. I have to wear ghillie so as it's what the band all wear. I think I've figured it out now. Thank you all so much. I have my full uniform now.
Mike

I have even heard of people putting hair spray on the laces to help them stay up!