The Piper's Wardrobe

[davidlpope]

BTW: Can one of you gentlemen recommend a source for a pipe banner? Mine's gone walkabout.

Try Ian Sherwood at Cuillinn Craft in San Leandro, CA or Timothy Niall-Harris at House of Labhran. Both source pipe banners. I believe that Timothy is a member here.

Cordially,

David

[EagleJCS]

As a piper that has never been in the military, I wouldn't presume to imitate the look as a soloist. Since the band I play with is a non-sponsored, all-volunteer band, we also wear civilian-style band uniforms. That said, a lot of the general, non-Scottish, non-piping US-American public expect to see the full No 1 dress on pipers (feather bonnet, cross belt, full plaid, tunic with Inverness flaps, etc., etc.), and get confused when they don't see it, until you explain the difference. Then they're - usually - OK with it. Disappointed, but OK.

When I'm not piping with the band, I'll wear what's appropriate to the occasion (usually my black Argyle jacket and a black tie at the least). In fact, that's probably what I'll be wearing when I pipe for a funeral this coming Saturday. When I recently piped for a police officer's memorial service (general memorial, not a specific officer), I wore my PC with bow tie because I was considered part of the honor guard detail, and they wore their dress uniforms (special hats & tunics, white gloves, patent leather).

[beloitpiper]

I'd say the safest outfit a piper can wear is an Argyle jacket, tie, and tank. It's classy and works with almost any occasion.

[george7]

Don't forget the infamous piper's white hose

It's a myth by the way that pipers wear white hose. There are some bands that wear white hose, but I'll go out on a limb and say that most don't.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

By the way, Mac of Rath, Lee Castle once belonged to my Lockhart chief, who now lives in the hunting lodge. I hope you enjoyed dinner there, and someday I hope to visit it myself.

These black tie dinners were the stuff of legends. Generally dinner parties were made up of between 12 and 16 guests, most of whom were staying at the castle. Often the full band would serenade the guests during cocktails before we were piped in to dinner. Dinner was usually served in six, or sometimes eight, removes, and there was a fifteen minute intermission after the fourth or fifth course. Sitting down promptly at 8pm meant you wouldn't rise until something approaching 11pm, when all would adjourn to a comfy wee "pub" in the cellar for coffee and drinks. I think I have a photo somewhere from one of the parties-- if I can find it I'll post it here in the Traditional Highland Dress forum as an example of the most wonderful kind of traditional Highland hospitality.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I'd say the safest outfit a piper can wear is an Argyle jacket, tie, and tank. It's classy and works with almost any occasion.

The standard outfit of our museum's "piper in residence" is 8 yard kilt, white shirt, black Argyle, black bow tie, black glengarry, grey hose, black leather "hunting" sporran, and ghillies. Sometimes she'll wear white hose or bottle green hose.

She has a few other outfits she can wear if the occasion demands, but this is her standard and it seems to work.

(BTW, yes she is a female piper, and she wears men's clothing when piping, as she considers it a "uniform." When she's not piping she dresses like a lady).

Point being, a simple black Argyle jacket, white shirt and black tie will go far.

[Dall_Piobaire]

Okay, I am sorry, this is my fault. NorCal came closest to hitting the proverbial tiny nail on it's tiny little head.

I should have put this in historical, but what I was trying to find out was if there is historical providence for attire singular to the post of a Piper.

Sorry, my bad, but I appreciate the input!

Scott

[cajuncelt]

My personal opinion:
I like the way the old-school pipers dressed. I feel a glengarry, PBonnie jacket, vest, piper's plaid, hair sporran and tartan hose looks awesome!
I wear, but still don't care for the "civilian band" look. I think our little sporrans (dress or day) look odd compared to a horse hair. White hose...no way. Vest and short sleeve shirt...blah (MacDonald's Manager?).
I don't have the money to purchase the look I want, but I would wear it to pipe at weddings, etc. if I could.
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u...rummond092.jpg
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u...rummond093.jpg
Not my pic's but a comparison of what I was talking about

[Dall_Piobaire]

I guess I really an an old fuddy-duddy as far as this goes.

when piping in public, professionally, or such places as comps and the like, I would wear nearly at least semi-formal, if not formal, if it wren't out of place, say a PC at a highland games!

Definately long shirt, at least a waistcoat, semi, hunting, or hair sporran. Argyll hose, brogues of some sort.

I wonder though if the hair sporran and Plaide is not of the same nature as the white hose and short shirt, band inspired?

[Dall_Piobaire]

As a piper that has never been in the military, I wouldn't presume to imitate the look as a soloist. Since the band I play with is a non-sponsored, all-volunteer band, we also wear civilian-style band uniforms. That said, a lot of the general, non-Scottish, non-piping US-American public expect to see the full No 1 dress on pipers (feather bonnet, cross belt, full plaid, tunic with Inverness flaps, etc., etc.), and get confused when they don't see it, until you explain the difference. Then they're - usually - OK with it. Disappointed, but OK.

When I'm not piping with the band, I'll wear what's appropriate to the occasion (usually my black Argyle jacket and a black tie at the least). In fact, that's probably what I'll be wearing when I pipe for a funeral this coming Saturday. When I recently piped for a police officer's memorial service (general memorial, not a specific officer), I wore my PC with bow tie because I was considered part of the honor guard detail, and they wore their dress uniforms (special hats & tunics, white gloves, patent leather).

I am kinda with you on the #1, yeah people expect it, but is it respectful? I guess the easiest to do is to dress as fromal as appropriate for the occasion, but not over the top!