Mess jackets - questions

[Tobus]

My suggestion would be to either wear your full USAF Mess Dress, complete with medals and insignia of rank, or your kilt, but without medals.

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I think it's best to either go all military or all civilian. There are certainly plenty of folks who do try to mix the two, but it looks strange to me. Military medals just seem out of place on civilian attire.

[macwilkin]

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I think it's best to either go all military or all civilian. There are certainly plenty of folks who do try to mix the two, but it looks strange to me. Military medals just seem out of place on civilian attire.

However, medals, be they full-size gongs or miniatures, are worn on mufti at certain events such as ANZAC Day, Remembrance Day, Regimental Days, etc., in accordance with the traditions of the Commonwealth Nations. If event organisers ask for "medals and decorations" on their invitations, then there's nothing wrong at all with gentlemen wearing them.

T.

[triolamj]

I loved your photos of the two mess jackets. I've been looking for a mess jacket or modified Prince Charlie to replace my Argyll. As broad in the shoulder (and big in the paunch) as I am, I need a jacket without tails to slim me down. I would love to see some photos of you at the wedding to see how your final look came out. Some advice for the future: Replace the shoulder boards with traditional braid so you can use a plaid broach; if you wear a long tie, wear a narrow one, and wear it with a button-down shirt; and replace the horsehair sporran with a fur one (see eBay) when you can afford it. Congratulations to the new bride!

[Tobus]

However, medals, be they full-size gongs or miniatures, are worn on mufti at certain events such as ANZAC Day, Remembrance Day, Regimental Days, etc., in accordance with the traditions of the Commonwealth Nations. If event organisers ask for "medals and decorations" on their invitations, then there's nothing wrong at all with gentlemen wearing them.

T.

Of course. When specifically called for, or appropriate to the occasion, that's a different matter. I still think it looks odd out of military context, but that's just my personal taste, and has nothing to do with being "wrong" or "right".

triolamj, I still haven't seen any of the pictures from the wedding. I'm rather curious about them myself.

[WolfmanJack]

So Tobus, how did it go for you? We'd all like to see the kit you finally put together.