LG's Levee

[Glen]

Some photos of the assembled rogues attending the Lieutenant Governor's New Year Levee at the Government House of Alberta. I was the only one kilted, unfortunately; however, I'm wearing the Alberta provincial tartan.

[OC Richard]

I'm wearing the Alberta provincial tartan.

And plenty of it!

Tartan waistcoats and hose are things I'd love to see worn more often.

[Jock Scot]

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Tartan waistcoats and hose are things I'd love to see worn more often.

I am afraid that I am going to have to respectfully disagree.

[DCampbell16B]

I am afraid that I am going to have to respectfully disagree.

Perhaps it was someone else, but I thought you mentioned somewhere that tartan waistcoats were more of a West Coast thing. Well, he is way, way West of the Coast!

It might open up a good discussion though. There have been some of OCR's historical pictures that show this (a Macdonald family picture comes to mind, which could be very West Coast).

I kind of like them myself, properly done. Disclaimer: I am not Scottish, though I do have West Coast ancestors, so consider the source. Maybe it's a DNA thing.

[Jock Scot]

Tartan waistcoats are indeed seen more often in the West Coast of Scotland---------at formal evening events where formal attire is required by all. Rarely, thank goodness, are tartan waistcoats and tartan hose worn for non formal events in Scotland, but I am sorry to say some in Scotland do wear them on occasion and sometimes, I am afraid, they are worn for everyday non formal events.

I can understand an event with the great and the good of a State administration of Canada does require effort with one's attire and of course, it may well be an honour to attend such an event, but I don't see any formal attire in the pictures------black tie? White tie? Formal suits?-----on show.

Now, if one wants to wear the kilt, then fair enough. If one wants to wear the kilt to meet the great and the good of ones country, fair enough.

But please lets get one's kilt attire appropriate to the occasion. The kilt attire on show is without doubt an impressive sight but.............

[MacKenzie]

I had to lookup Levee. It's a reception.

It appears that the servicemen are in No. 1 and/or No. 1A Ceremonial Dress. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unifor...n_Armed_Forces


https://www.corpscpc.noaa.gov/perser...t_uniforms.pdf

(Yes, I realize the link is re: the US military. Nonetheless it can serve as a guide.)


Being that this is the Lt. Governors reception I would say it is a "social function of an official nature".


It appears that those not in uniform - other than Glen - are underdressed for the occasion. Which is par for the course these days.

[Macman]

What Glen is wearing is pretty much would I would wear to the LG's New Year's Day Levy here in Victoria. I don't own a tartan waistcoat, so I'd probably wear my SBBB Argyle and waistcoat. And I agree with the sentiment that most people at our levy are underdressed. There are usually a few kilted guests, too.

[OC Richard]

About modern Canadian and US uniforms I don't know, but in the Highland regiments Levee Dress (right) was distinct from Full Dress (left) seen here with the A&SH around 1890.

[MacKenzie]

About modern Canadian and US uniforms I don't know, but in the Highland regiments Levee Dress (right) was distinct from Full Dress (left) seen here with the A&SH around 1890.

The sporrans are different and the fellow on the left is wearing spats. Other than that I'm not seeing the difference?

[OC Richard]

The sporrans are different and the fellow on the left is wearing spats. Other than that I'm not seeing the difference?

You're right, I do believe those are the only differences, at least in the Argylls.

In the Camerons it would be only the footwear, because officers wore the same ornate sporran with gold bullion tassels in Full Dress and Levee Dress. (In service dress, officers wore the ordinary Other Ranks sporran.)