Metal Colors ( To Match or Not To Match, That is the question)

[Harold Cannon]

I have been thinking on this for some time but would you mix gold and silver in accessories?

I am wearing my fire department kilt jacket for our patron's dinner this year. I wonder though since my rank and badges are gold would I wear a silver sporran cantle, kilt pin, and the like?

I know the military may mix metals at times but I was thinking how would that work in this situation.

SO what does the rabble think?

[Jock Scot]

I think you are in danger of over-thinking this Harold.

[Harold Cannon]

LOL! You may be right Jock.

[Tobus]

I mix my metals. My Texas A&M class ring is gold and my wedding band is 3 different shades of gold twisted together, and I'm not going to deny myself wearing silver (or leave my ring off when doing so). I also occasionally wear a titanium ring that my wife and I got for our 10th anniversary. I will mix any combination of these with a silver/nickel belt buckle or an antiqued bronze style buckle, and maybe even a brass sporran cantle. I don't think it's a big deal. Not for day wear, anyway.

In your case, for what I assume is a formal dinner, with gold badges, it's not like you'd have the option to switch over to a gold sporran cantle and kilt pin. As I've been told, those don't really exist in THCD. So mixing metals is pretty much a given. Each item is what it is. I wouldn't worry about it.

[creagdhubh]

Harold,

The only metals I'm concerned about matching, and this is only with regards to Highland evening attire, are the shoes buckles (if worn), the sporran cantle and cones (if applicable), doublet and waistcoat buttons, kilt pin (if worn), chain strap (if worn), and the bits of metal on the handle of the sgian dubh. Everything else, mainly consisting of USMC miniature medals (made of anodized gold-plate) in my case, certainly do not have to match. Of course, these are my own personal preferences.

Cheers,

[Chas]

I think your uniform jacket is outside the norm, because it IS a uniform jacket. Unless you were wearing a uniform kilt and all the uniform accessories, no one would expect them to match.

Regards

Chas

[Downunder Kilt]

Harold, throw the rule book out the window, on something like this mix as the situation dictates. For any guidance, all you have look at is the levee sporran, probably the most formal of sporrans, to see that gold and silver being worn together are not a problem in Highland dress. Have a great night at the dinner mate.

[Harold Cannon]

Thanks for all of the advice gentlemen. I have mixed and matched before and will this time. LOL! Did you notice that it was only we die hard traditionalists that got involved on this subject though?

[Downunder Kilt]

Thanks for all of the advice gentlemen. I have mixed and matched before and will this time. LOL! Did you notice that it was only we die hard traditionalists that got involved on this subject though?

Very observant Harold

[OC Richard]

would you mix gold and silver in accessories?

my rank and badges are gold would I wear a silver sporran cantle, kilt pin, and the like?

I know the military may mix metals at times

In the Army, the mixing of metal colours is the rule rather than the exception... here are a couple examples.

My most clear photo is this one, Pipe Major Andrew MacLeod of the Queens Own Highlanders. Note that the buttons, trim, insignia etc of the doublet are gold but his sporran and belts hardware etc are silver



Even more mixed is The Black Watch, with the sporran cantle, dirk, and sgian gilt but the Pipe Major's belt hardware and plaid brooch silver



another example, here a Lowland Regiment, the Royal Scots



And the two metals are often mixed in the same item! Here's a Queens Own Highlanders Officers' sporran



So mix your metals freely and as Jock Scot says think no more about it!