Pipe Band dress predictions for the next decade

[OC Richard]

I've just been looking over some old Pathe videos of Highland Games in the 1950s and 1960s and I'm struck by how the dress of the competing Pipe Bands and Highland Dancers has utterly changed from then to today, while the dress of the Chiefs, Stewards, judges, and others in Highland Dress has remained the same.

The civilian Pipe Bands in the 50s and 60s were dressed the same as in Victorian times, either in military-style Full Dress or in a civilian Evening Dress with lace jabots, Regulation or Montrose doublets, tartan hose, buckled shoes, and long horsehair sporrans.

While watching video of the bands at a 1969 Highland Games the question arose "who in the Pipe Band world, in 1969, would have imagined that a decade in the future Pipe Band dress would completely change?" For by 1979 the feather bonnets, military doublets, Regulation doublets, long hair sporrans, spats, buckled shoes, and the rest would be gone, replaced by Prince Charlie or Argyll jackets, small Day or Evening sporrans, selfcoloured hose, and ghillie brogues.

Here we stand at the start of a new decade. How will Pipe Band dress look in 2030?

I think that bands like Inveraray are pointing the way towards an abandonment of the black & white look that's ruled the Pipe Band world since the 1980s, and moving toward earth-toned outfits with Weathered tartans and brown tweeds.

I predict that by 2030 the top bands will be wearing something along these lines:







Below we have earth-toned accessories worn with an ordinary Modern Colours kilt, which is a thing that will happen if Pipe Bands move in the direction I predict. This is because a band set of kilts is an extremely expensive thing, and bands change tartans far less often than they change accessories.

However the top bands, Grade One and sometimes Grade Two, have the resources to change their kilts more often.

[McMurdo]

Interesting predictions given the popularity of Outlander I could see this happening, I do wonder though why there was no change after the popularity of Braveheart.

[Highland Logan]

Interesting predictions given the popularity of Outlander I could see this happening, I do wonder though why there was no change after the popularity of Braveheart.

LOL

With Braveheart, it would have meant the wearing of bad imitation kilts and rags.

I know you're referring to colour, but I couldn't help myself.

Frank

[OC Richard]

I think a TV series often has a greater cultural impact than a single one-off film.

A series is more persistent, being viewed weekly for however many seasons the show lasts.

At a Highland Games last year there was an Outlander booth amongst the Clan booths!

As popular as Star Wars has been, it seems to me that its popularity is exponentially growing due to The Mandalorian.

Outlander might be part result, part motivator. I've seen Highland Dress move in a earth-toned tweedy direction for years now. Who would have imagined brown tweed Prince Charlies 20 years ago? Now they're widely available.

Like many (all?) trends in Pipe Band dress it kicked off with Solo Piping outfits.

[OC Richard]

Sorry to revive this thread but here's a pipe band competing in 2019 wearing the sort of outfit I'm predicting more and more bands will go towards

-weathered tartan
-brown sporrans
-brown tweed waistcoats
-muted hose

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjCGbkj_W-g

Besides a great-looking band, there's fantastic music too!

And a motorway conveniently nearby

No shortage of dunnies either.

[Father Bill]

No shortage of dunnies either.

Basements???

[PinellasPaul]

I quite like the look of these "new" style cuffs! Like them very much.

[OC Richard]

That's a lovely vintage Argyll jacket, too bad the ones made nowadays usually don't have quite as nice detailing.

There was a recent thread about the "gauntlet" cuffs on Argyll jackets

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...ll-cuff-96289/

[PinellasPaul]

I remember when stores tried to earn your business for the long-term by providing the very best service humanly possible. And manufacturers tried to earn long-term brand loyalty by making the very best product that they could possibly make.

Now it's all about low cost manufacturing, partly because younger people today don't really understand value. All they see and understand is price. There is an online/magazine consumers group that tests a wide variety of products, and I know they make an honest effort. But with the knowledge and experience I have from my career in appliance repair, I know they miss a notable quantity of times.

And regarding service, businesses to some degree seem to reward loyalty less and therefore get less, to some degree, they train folks less to the detriment of their customers. And of course they are pressured to lower expenses from international competition and other factors. And it's all just a downward spiral where quality and service are diminished yearly.

When I buy, I endeavour to buy the best of those things that I wish to last. Because well-made things generally do last exponentially longer. I don't mind paying $150-$200 for a fine fur felt hat, as the first one I bought, an Akubra, has lasted 35 years, so far. When I leave this world, it'll probably still be in good enough shape to wear for some poor bloke with a size 63 noggin.

But fine, well made - not expensive, things are further and further in between. And that's a sad, sad state of affairs, ladies and gents.

- Paul

[OC Richard]

I don't mind paying $150-$200 for a fine fur felt hat, as the first one I bought, an Akubra, has lasted 35 years, so far.

Ah you're talking my language now. I have a fine Akubra Cattleman and a couple Stetson Stratoliners. Love them.