When is a dirk appropriate?

**McMurdo** · 31st August 09, 12:21 PM

Here are a few examples from the Vintage photo thread of how to wear a dirk with a coatee

20th May 1957: The Earl and Countess of Mansfield dressed in traditional Scottish garb (including kilt and sporran) at the Royal Caledonian Ball. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images) The Earl of Mansfield is wearing Mess Dress of an officer of the Atholl Highlanders. Many Atholl Highlanders still attend the the RCB, wearing the same uniform.

Lord David Douglas-Hamilton (1912 - 1944, left) arrives at Glasgow Cathedral for his wedding to fitness instructor Prunella Stack, 16th October 1938. On the right is his brother and best man, Lord George Douglas-Hamilton, 10th Earl of Selkirk (1906 - 1994). (Photo by Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

I also have a photo from this years Burns Dinner where I wore my own dirk with a Montrose Doublet, normally I would forgo such extravagance however I was doing the Address to the Haggis and so the dirk was appropriate. It was not on the sporran strap but on the dress belt.

**Panache** · 31st August 09, 12:33 PM

Glen thanks for the photos.

While I certainly am not going to argue with the military customs of the Atholl Highlanders, I will say that out of the three pictures and 4 gentlemen the Earl of Mansfield's wearing of the dirk dirk looks awkward to me.

The belt over the waistcoat while undoubtedly practical for carrying weapons doesn't do either belt or waistcoat justice to me. Also the dirk handle being underneath the jacket spoils the line of the jacket and obscures the attractive knife handle.

You and Lord George Douglas-Hamilton are wearing montrose doublets that look quite nice with the dirk as I mentioned. I'm assuming that Lord David Douglas-Hamilton is wearing a regulation doublet or sheriffmuir doublet. However you will note that this doublet is worn closed and the the belt looks quite fine outside it.

Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

**McMurdo** · 31st August 09, 03:11 PM

Originally Posted by Panache

You and Lord George Douglas-Hamilton are wearing montrose doublets that look quite nice with the dirk as I mentioned. I'm assuming that Lord David Douglas-Hamilton is wearing a regulation doublet or sheriffmuir doublet. However you will note that this doublet is worn closed and the the belt looks quite fine outside it.

Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

Actually Lord David Douglas-Hamilton is wearing a Sherriffmuir Doublet, his brother standing beside him is wearing a Montrose, nevertheless they both look good and Lord David Douglas-Hamilton certainly knows how to dress while wearing a dirk.