Tartan sashes, worn by males, worn with suits?

[Highwayman]

Morning everybody. To start, I belong to a Masonic organization known as the Scottish Rite...which is actually French, the Scottish bit is a bit of myth about its founders. But nonetheless, they like the Scottish theme for decoration and events. There's a group of very active members known as the Knights of St. Andrew who take this up a notch, wearing bonnets, tartan sashes, and sometimes kilts if they're bold enough. Each unit of these gentlemen selects a tartan to identify themselves, for example the new Springfield unit uses the Utah Masonic pattern while our group in Chicago wears the USA Bicentennial pattern. They always wear blue blazers with tartan sashes wrapped over one shoulder, I've only seen one try a kilt on one occasion. However, looking into the history of the regalia following a discussion about my possibly joining this group, I price-checked how much one of these sashes would cost and was surprised to find men's sashes weren't listed. Because apparently, men did not wear sashes? I asked the guys and they said theirs came from Sportkilts...Which now I'm told is a site famous for selling sashes in general quite contrary to tradition. However, every unit of these Knights nationwide wears a sash in their tartan, for better or worse it's their uniform.

Now, it gets worse. My favorite dealer just advertised a killer sale on sashes, both in my family's tartan, and in a very awesome patriotic pattern that's more subdued than the Bicentennial. My main pursuit in my organization is to make rounds every year presenting awards to JROTC cadets for their community service and academic achievements, I was a cadet myself and I love being able to put on a good show for a lucky cadet while they're in the spotlight. I'm usually in a dark suit, sometimes with Masonic accessories on very special occasions, but everyone seems disappointed I'm not in a kilt or sash. While I personally think my kilt would go a bit too far and would rob these wonderful teens of their time in the spotlight, I'm looking at this American-themed sash and wondering how it would look draped over my shoulder as I present an award thanking cadets for their patriotism. No, it's not Scottish tradition, but this group admits we're not Scottish. Would this be a feasible breach of protocol, or would this haunt me like my popped collar phase?

[RockyR]

If it's the group's "uniform", then go for it, so long as you're aware that outside of the group, sashes are worn by women and you shouldn't wear it with a kilt. My $.02.

[Taskr]

The Knights of Columbus wear a Council sash. No, it is not tartan. It's in the purple tones/hues. Many commonwealth Infanrty Senior NCO wear a red sash, and some officers wear a cross-belt that is basically an adorned leather or gold wire sash. If a tartan sash is the uniform of the organization I'd think a sash is a sash regardless of its construction; solid, gold wire, tartan or otherwise.

[figheadair]

I'm reminded of this which was previously posted on the forum.

[RockyR]

Figheadair, I hadn't come across that image before. Are you saying tartan sashes for men have historical precedence?

I have often thought about the older photos we're shown on the forum. It has occurred that someone points to a photo and says "see, this person did _____ back in 1890, so it's historically accurate." I think to myself (and have had the discussion with employees, some of whom are re-enactors), "Did the person in the older photo know what they were doing or was that the 100 + year old version of a NOOB who had his photograph taken, immortalizing a bad fashion choice, which confuses us in the present to think something was "historically accurate" which was otherwise a faux pas."

[macwilkin]

Just a point of information, but in some Scottish Constitution (S.C.) lodges, tartan trimmed aprons and even sashes are worn:

http://lodgehanyang.org/wp-content/u...7431778943.jpg

When I was WM of my lodge back in 1999-2000, we adopted Stewart Hunting as official lodge tartan, in honour of the first travelling military lodge in North America, which was made up of members of the old 1st Regiment of Foot, the Royal Scots. I was lucky to get my officers to purchase a tartan tie to be worn with suits and sport coats. :-)

I also have a picture of an organization, the Royal Highlanders, which was organized in Nebraska and had lodges ("castles" throughout the Upper Midwest) that wore "romanticized" Scottish attire. You can see the photo with my article on Iowa's Scottish history:

http://www.scottishtartans.org/iowa.htm

Note that both men and women are wearing sashes. In this case, I think Rocky's advice is sound: if it is being worn as part of the KSA uniform, then it is appropriate. For your suit, May I suggest a tartan or club tie? There a number of masonic-themed ties available for the craft lodge and other appendant bodies. When I was WM, I frequently wore the striped tie of the United Grand Lodge of Queensland, Australia, which had been presented to me by a friend who was a PM of Lodge Scotia No. 263 in Brisbane.

S & F,

T.

[Father Bill]

I rarely even wear a tartan tie (I do own a few) because I wear my clerical collar, but I often wear a pocket puff in my clan tartan. An option.

[Highwayman]

With the public appearances, I'm not so concerned about my personal tartan being displayed as simply giving these kids a great photo op. Other organizations sometimes show up in reenactment costumes or interesting variations on uniforms, while I'd never want to up-stage everyone going kilted I'd like to at least appear 'colorful' and give them a smile. Another factor is I'm a younger person myself with longer hair down to my neck, a 'Not Quite Scottish' accessory would match my rather vintage appearance. The cadets would be able to brag they got an award from a Union soldier, a Sailor in his dress whites, and 'The Braveheart guy'. By all means it's a Renn Faire move to make, but it being a modern fashion interpretation, a modern tartan without any historical issues, and a modern dark suit it at least isn't mocking true regalia. Honestly, if I could afford a fly-plaid this would never have been considered.

Regarding Masonic tartans, what a lovely idea to adopt a lodge tartan! While the Utah Masonic tartan has some following, I personally am not much for it and wish that there were other alternatives for Masons without a tartan looking to fly some colors. You would think that the Scottish Rite would have wanted something of their own to make members more visible, but that's never been attempted.

[macwilkin]

I participate in similar awards ceremonies for the local ROTC Battalion at my alma mater; since I represent the Sons of Union Veterans and the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the US, I don't know if I would feel comfortable wearing Highland rig. I suppose it might work for SAMS, but I am not a member of that organization. Even our SAR Chapter representative wears mufti and not a SAR color guard uniform.

[macwilkin]

Regarding Masonic tartans, what a lovely idea to adopt a lodge tartan! While the Utah Masonic tartan has some following, I personally am not much for it and wish that there were other alternatives for Masons without a tartan looking to fly some colors. You would think that the Scottish Rite would have wanted something of their own to make members more visible, but that's never been attempted.

There is also the GL of Scotland tartan as an option for brother masons looking for a tartan of their own:

http://www.grandlodgescotland.com/ne...d-lodge-tartan

As far as I know, there is no restrictions on this tartan to only Scottish Constitution lodges. Most Commonwealth lodges with their own tartan chose one to honour a past member/founder of the lodge, or a "universal" tartan.

I was a member of the local valley of AASR for a number of years; indifference was what I experienced for the most part to Highland kit. The next valley over across the state line started a KSA Chapter and was very enthusiastic to adopt the kilt, but when our Valley did, to my knowledge, they never really have. The Royal Order of Scotland is, in my experience, far more "kilt-friendly". :-)