Headed to the Navy Ball again

[Drac]

Hey all,

Getting ready for the Navy Ball again this weekend. Planning to step it up from last year. I will be leaving the Sport Kilt behind and am trying to decide between two kilts. One is a Kathy Lare Lamont (the leader) and a PV Gordon (Gordons, military, it's a good match). Both look great. Since I will probably be the only person kilted I doubt there will be any kilt police there. So I don't think anyone would be getting close enough to tell the differance.

I will be picking up a hand tie bow tie this weekend due to the comments from last year's review. I have a nice set of hand knitted hose coming in for my birthday Friday. I'm not sure what color since it is suppose to be a surprise. I have a set of red garters instead of the flashes. I also have upgraded my Sport Kilt day sporran to a nice blask hunter from Skye Highland Outfitters.

This year will be Formal/Black Tie optional civilian. I would assume that this would fall into PC but no vest? Also should I go with a dress belt and buckle or a cumberbun? If cumberbun, pleats up or down? I see both ways all over the Net. I will be miniture medals but I would figure not fly plaid? Granted I know there is a crowd who are against fly plaids ever but I do like them. I would guess that if no waist coat, no plaid?

Thanks all,
Jim

[Jock Scot]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with wearing the waistcoat(vest) with your PC(assuming it is a low cut 3 buttoned one), many would say you were undressed without it. For me, I prefer the waistcoat rather than the belt and if it were me, I would forget the plaid under any and all circumstances, but just so you know, because you are wearing a waistcoat(if you so choose) the wearing of the plaid does not make your PC and black tie any more ,or less, formal than wearing a dress belt instead.

[Bill aka Mole]

Drac: Cumberbun (crumb catcher) pleats are always up. Learned to remember it because of that word.

[EHCAlum]

Drac: Cumberbun (crumb catcher) pleats are always up. Learned to remember it because of that word.

The more gentlemanly explanation for the pleats facing up is to hold the Opera or Theatre tickets for the gent and his lady.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

The more gentlemanly explanation for the pleats facing up is to hold the Opera or Theatre tickets for the gent and his lady.

Early on in the colonization of India British officers took to wearing cummerbunds as part of their uniform. Long worn by the native Indians, the cummerbund was useful for holding an extra brace of pistols back in the day when an officer carried two single shot pistols in holsters hung from the pommel of his saddle. To prevent the pistols from becoming snagged in the cummerbund the pleats faced up, allowing for a smooth and rapid draw.

As the Indian Army was the the first to adopt mess dress uniforms (with abbreviated coats in deference to the heat) it was only natural that the cummerbund-- a distinctive item of Indian army dress-- would replace the waistcoat. Officers returning home from India on leave would wear their mess dress uniforms on board ship, and the cummerbund soon caught on with civilians who had been "out East".

Interestingly, U.S. Army regulations stipulate that the pleats of the cummerbund face down.

[EHCAlum]

Interestingly, U.S. Army regulations stipulate that the pleats of the cummerbund face down.

Didn't know the history of the cummerbund, except it had eastern origins. Of course the Army is different from standard form. Its the Army.

[macwilkin]

Early on in the colonization of India British officers took to wearing cummerbunds as part of their uniform. Long worn by the native Indians, the cummerbund was useful for holding an extra brace of pistols back in the day when an officer carried two single shot pistols in holsters hung from the pommel of his saddle. To prevent the pistols from becoming snagged in the cummerbund the pleats faced up, allowing for a smooth and rapid draw.

As the Indian Army was the the first to adopt mess dress uniforms (with abbreviated coats in deference to the heat) it was only natural that the cummerbund-- a distinctive item of Indian army dress-- would replace the waistcoat. Officers returning home from India on leave would wear their mess dress uniforms on board ship, and the cummerbund soon caught on with civilians who had been "out East".

Interestingly, U.S. Army regulations stipulate that the pleats of the cummerbund face down.

And to further Rathdown's second paragraph, there is still "Red Sea Rig":

"The voyage was uneventful. I can recall the humid heat of the tropics and the Red sea and the discomfort of mess dress - Red Sea rig - white shirt with epaulettes and long blue trousers with a black scarf as a cummerbund - stifling!"

-- http://samilitaryhistory.org/diaries/nat5.html

http://www.royalmarinesbands.co.uk/r...nRedsearig.htm

T.

[Detroitpete]

I'd say go with the waistcoat, and PC, shipmate. Also--do you have a Navy tartan (Edzell, Polaris, SeaBee) or if you served in the USMC, a Leatherneck tartan? Typically to navy related functions, I choose to wear my Edzell first, however mine is not formal--so then I go with clan/surname.

I'd also leave the mini-medals behind. Just my opinion. I don't wear any military medals in civilian attire. I know some people do and it's your choice--but I just don't like it nor do I like seeing it at functions.

I think the plaid would be a tad 'much' as well.

Just the opinion of one sailor

[Jock Scot]

I am not trying to be a smart a@* here, but in the UK we spell cummerbund with a "D". Is cummerbun without the "D" an American spelling?

[Drac]

I am not trying to be a smart a@* here, but in the UK we spell cummerbund with a "D". Is cummerbun without the "D" an American spelling?

Nope, it has a D but I can't spell worth beans. Sorry forgot to spell check.

Jim