Need some advice

[McGrowl]

I've got a wedding coming up in a few months that I'm playing pipes for, but I have to fly to get there and I'm trying to pack as minimally as possible.

Obviously I'm taking the bagpipes and all my necessary maintenance items, but I'm not sure how much room I'll have in my other bag for Highland regalia (kilt, sporran, brogues, etc.) so I'm trying to explore other avenues for Highland wear.

I was wondering what everybody here would recommend. Could I go as minimally as wearing a suit and a tartan tie? I was considering even renting a suit from Men's Wearhouse to cut down on packing, and that way I could just throw on a tartan tie and wear a Balmoral or something.

I also have a feeling like a lot of you are gonna say things along the lines of "you should dress a bit more formally if you're gonna play pipes, it's important to also look the part." Which is totally fair. I just want to explore alternatives at this point; nothing has been decided concerning my attire just yet.

Any and all advice is appreciated!

Mòran taing!

[Flotineer]

Question - is this a paid gig? If so, the money may have expectations about what you’ll wear.

[McGrowl]

Question - is this a paid gig? If so, the money may have expectations about what you’ll wear.

Good question! The answer is no, my sister in-law is the one getting married.

I should also say that I'm dressing my pipes up a bit. I'm not Scottish at all by blood, but my wife is, so I have had a custom bag cover made with matching ribbons in her family's tartan (Irvine Ancient) for the occasion. I also kind of figured since the pipes are going to be looking good (and hopefully sounding good! ) that I could go a bit more minimal with my own outfit.

[Flotineer]

Then I’d say wear whatever is easiest that will still make the recipient of the gift happy. Certainly a kilt isn’t mandatory.

You could also wear your kilt rig on the plane to save packing space. Good conversation starter and you could tell them you’re on the way to a gig!

[kilted2000]

Why not ask the bride what she was expecting when she asked you? How does she want you to dress and go from there?

[Rama4390]

Do you have trews or tartan trousers? I've worn trews for some gigs.

[EagleJCS]

Piper with 20 years under my belt, though haven't flown with my pipes before. I have read a lot and spoken with pipers that have.

Unless you have a hard-sided suitcase to pack them in, I presume you will be taking your pipes in your carry-on. I'd be very leery of entrusting them to the baggage handlers and putting them in the hold (may be pressurized, but extremely cold). I've read horror stories about cracked mounts, broken chanters, splits in drones/stocks, etc. Either way, you could wrap your pipes in your kilt and hose for padding. Leave any sharp pointy things behind (sghian dubh, kilt pin, etc.). A sporran that lays flat can go just about anywhere. Personally, I'd forego the tartan tie.

You don't have to wear ghillie brogues, normal black dress shoes will be fine, so they can be worn while traveling.

Headgear? Up to you and depending on the venue - outdoors/indoors, etc. - may not be necessary.

Most important, know your cues for when you're supposed to play, who gives you those cues, and know your tunes inside & out so you don't get thrown by distractions (been there, done that).

Best of luck, and congrats to the happy couple.

[PassingW]

You might consider priority shipping (with insurance) your attire to your sister-in-law's home in advance of the event.

[OC Richard]

I've flown with pipes and kilt across the country quite a few times.

I have big feet, and I travel light, with just one rolling carryon.

Since a pair of size 14 shoes takes up around a third of my suitcase I almost always travel with just the shoes on my feet.

I've had no trouble fitting kilt, sporran, hose, waistcoat, bonnet, and pipes in my suitcase. The bulkiest thing (besides the shoes) is the jacket which I leave behind.

I have plain black Doc Martens which, like Dr Ian Malcolm's black suits, are appropriate for all occasions.

[OC Richard]

The other approach, which makes total sense but which I've not tried, is to wear my Highland outfit on the plane.

I see tons of businessmen wearing their suits on the plane, avoiding squishing them in suitcases.

Personally I think a suit would look better well-folded in a suitcase than crammed into a airplane seat for hours, but with Highland outfits it does allow far more suitcase space for pipes and ordinary clothes for the rest of the trip.