US Military Tartan and appropriate footwear.

**duke_19_62** · 26th September 17, 09:22 AM

Originally Posted by CollinMacD

I hope SAMS is at the Richmond Games would like to talk to them.

I spoke with Ralph Wallace, the Regional Commander and Post Commander of Post 2 at the other Virginia Games on Labor Day weekend. He is planning on being at the Richmond Games.

**CollinMacD** · 26th September 17, 12:31 PM

Great, I will make it a point to come by and see Mr. Wallace. Thanks.

**llyd** · 26th September 17, 01:32 PM

I shall too. Not sure when I will be there...probably Saturday.

**CollinMacD** · 28th October 17, 05:45 PM

Wanted to thank all of you for you responses, and post the photo of my final photo of my day representing the US Coast Guard, with my Scottish Clothing. Here is a photograph, and I hope I did justice to keeping the balance between military and the veteran world. Jock I hope I did you good, as I tried to make sure this was done with dignity and reverence. Cheers.

**Jock Scot** · 29th October 17, 12:46 AM

Well, as you are asking Colin, I think you are coming along nicely. But.....you still have a wee bit of fine tuning to do!

Given that I really do not think American military traditions and Scottish civilian kilt traditions make a happy marriage, then my personal observations are as follows:-

The bonnet could do with being kicked down the road for a mile or six! It looks as though it has just come out of the box. If it were me I think I might move the bonnet badge perhaps half an inch to an inch forward. That might not be possible if the bow(is there one?) is centred at the back of the head.

You are wearing a huge dollop of blue! So a pale shirt might break up some of that, you could also wear a regimental/ university/ old school/ club style tie which would perhaps break up the blue. To my Scottish thinking, if the top button of the shirt is done up you are undressed without a tie. If the top button is undone then the shirt collar is worn outside the pullover.

The sporran could do without that huge plate in the middle of it.It really does catch the eye to not a good effect.

Again, to my eye you are wearing your hose like a foot baller! They are two inches too high. Also those dreadful tartan flashes are suffering from the dreaded windsock effect! .............. My father used to describe flashes flapping about as looking looking like a windsock on a redundant airfield....... Anyway, it might be best if you consider plain flashes with perhaps only an inch showing below the hose cuff. Finally, perhaps another colour of hose might be worth a thought?

Well at least you have something to think about, hope this helps.

**CollinMacD** · 31st October 17, 06:50 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Well, as you are asking Colin, I think you are coming along nicely. But.....you still have a wee bit of fine tuning to do!

Given that I really do not think American military traditions and Scottish civilian kilt traditions make a happy marriage, then my personal observations are as follows:-

The bonnet could do with being kicked down the road for a mile or six! It looks as though it has just come out of the box. If it were me I think I might move the bonnet badge perhaps half an inch to an inch forward. That might not be possible if the bow(is there one?) is centred at the back of the head.

You are wearing a huge dollop of blue! So a pale shirt might break up some of that, you could also wear a regimental/ university/ old school/ club style tie which would perhaps break up the blue. To my Scottish thinking, if the top button of the shirt is done up you are undressed without a tie. If the top button is undone then the shirt collar is worn outside the pullover.

The sporran could do without that huge plate in the middle of it.It really does catch the eye to not a good effect.

Again, to my eye you are wearing your hose like a foot baller! They are two inches too high. Also those dreadful tartan flashes are suffering from the dreaded windsock effect! .............. My father used to describe flashes flapping about as looking looking like a windsock on a redundant airfield....... Anyway, it might be best if you consider plain flashes with perhaps only an inch showing below the hose cuff. Finally, perhaps another colour of hose might be worth a thought?

Well at least you have something to think about, hope this helps.

Jock,

Noted, and again thank you for you direction. it means so much to do things right, as I am not dressing up, but I am representing my families honor and my ancestors.

Thank you for pointing things out, need that fine tuning. I will make the corrections for the future. The bonnet, well it was brand new out of the box, and will try to "Break It In" rough it up and get it to look more natural. Regarding the American Military, really not a tradition on the same level as they Scottish Military, but more as a tribute of all the Americans with Scottish ancestors who fought in the US Forces. Of which I more than qualify. Talked to the SAMS Chapter 2 Chair person, and plan to join the organization. They do tributes in the DC area for Veterans. No way on the same level as the Scottish/British organizations. The sweater is a US Coast Guard issue sweater, that I felt was perfect for the dress.

Hose, I agree, too high, need to get better with adjusting the height, do you have a recommendation on the proper height and folds of the hose? I will lower by two inches. The shirt under the sweater is a black polo shirt, and yes I should have not have had the upper button undone. NEVER do I do the top button but for some reason I did it this time, and very much not how I dress with a polo. Since this was a VERY VERY casual event, I thought wearing a dress shirt would have been too much. As the day got warm I removed the sweater and had a dark polo short sleeve polo, which is more the standard of dress in the US. The kilt was a very inexpensive "Sport" Kilt, I hope to have a real US Coast Guard Kilt done next year. Flashes I can take or leave, actually I agree, still don't understand the actual purpose, but most people seem to wear them. If I do,wear flashes, I will take your advice on just about an inch to show. I don't really care about what most people wear that is why I like your guidance, as you know what is right, and that is what I want, what is right. I maybe wearing a lot of blue but that is a tradition in the US Coast Guard, blue is the color. Maybe I can change the hose, do you have a suggestion? Cream color? NOT WHITE...eech. The sporran has not plate on it. all leather, with USCG engraved in leather. I do like that a lot, I try to stay away from metal plates on leather sporran. Really do appreciate your guidance. Collin

**llyd** · 1st November 17, 06:03 AM

Rats...I saw you there...and did not know who you were. I hope you had a good time!

**CollinMacD** · 1st November 17, 06:16 AM

Yes, great time. Weather was perfect, so much to see and do. Really enjoyed throwing the hatchets...

**Taskr** · 1st November 17, 09:24 AM

Looks pretty good

Here is what I had to do to break out of a few habits to allow the kilt to look more 'natural'; forget that I was in the military. We are so accustomed to matching and proper placement and ..and...and... , so, I finally tossed out the notion of dressing as a military person in civilian clothing (kilt included). Not that it still doesn't show in bearing, but its not on purpose via clothing.

Just get a couple of different colour hose for no other reason than you like the colour of them. Get a set (or maybe two) of plain colour flashes in a colour, again, that you simply like.

Let it be YOU wearing the kilt, and not the kilt being displayed on you. It becomes way more comfortable.

Thank you for your service

**Jock Scot** · 5th November 17, 03:08 AM

Originally Posted by Taskr

Looks pretty good

Here is what I had to do to break out of a few habits to allow the kilt to look more 'natural'; forget that I was in the military. We are so accustomed to matching and proper placement and ..and...and... , so, I finally tossed out the notion of dressing as a military person in civilian clothing (kilt included). Not that it still doesn't show in bearing, but its not on purpose via clothing.

Just get a couple of different colour hose for no other reason than you like the colour of them. Get a set (or maybe two) of plain colour flashes in a colour, again, that you simply like.

Let it be YOU wearing the kilt, and not the kilt being displayed on you. It becomes way more comfortable.

Thank you for your service

Exactly so. Remember Collin, that you are dressing as a civilian. What a shame you chaps don't have regimental/unit ties. It does make life so much easier for the British/Commonwealth ex serviceman.