Adding kilt bows/rosettes?

[English Bloke]

Not my thing. They look great on squaddies but I wouldn't wear them. Each to their own though. If you like them go 'ed.

[OC Richard]

Here's a Black Watch kilt with the bow-shaped things the regiment calls rosettes:



and being worn by the Drum Major and Pipe Major of that regiment:



It doesn't show up well but the Pipe Major's are shaped like the Drum Major's but made of Royal Stuart tartan ribbon.

Here's another view (in this case the Pipe Major of the Black Watch is the enormous man nicknamed the Big Ugg):



and in the old days:



True rosettes (which by definition have a central button) are worn by the Pipe Major of the Royal Highland Fusiliers, in this case Gavin Stoddart:



and



Gordon Walker, ex military, wears rosettes on his civilian kilt:



But they're not exclusively military, as one of the men shown in The Highlanders of Scotland has bows to his kilt.

I have this vintage photo of a civilian wearing them:

[slohairt]

If I recall correctly, the bows are sometimes referred to as "Gaelic knots" or "Gaelic bows".

[Brian K]

I personally like them...I intend to get or make a couple different sets to wear with both my BW and Army kilts when I get them made...but that may be a ways off. I think I would reserve them for semi or formal wear, however...just my preference. Josh...think you look great!

Well, if you like them you should wear them! Perhaps my usual choices are a bit more conservative than yours when it comes to dress. I do think, however,that the idea of keeping it to more formal styles of dress is a good one as uniforms and formal dress do have certain common sensibilities.

I also find that my opinion may be evolving a bit. The pictures that Richard posted - he seems to have accumulated quite a collection - have opened my eyes a little. I find that the kilt panels and rosettes made of a matching tartan material look much better, to my untutored eye, than the ones made of more traditional ribbon material (are they usually grosgrain?) and appear both more subtle and less fussy. Besides, if Gordon Walker, who has been extolled here as an exemplar of the best of Highland style, can do it, I don't see why you can't

Regards,

Brian

[creagdhubh]

Here's a Black Watch kilt with the bow-shaped things the regiment calls rosettes:



and being worn by the Drum Major and Pipe Major of that regiment:



It doesn't show up well but the Pipe Major's are shaped like the Drum Major's but made of Royal Stuart tartan ribbon.

Here's another view (in this case the Pipe Major of the Black Watch is the enormous man nicknamed the Big Ugg):



and in the old days:



True rosettes (which by definition have a central button) are worn by the Pipe Major of the Royal Highland Fusiliers, in this case Gavin Stoddart:



and



Gordon Walker, ex military, wears rosettes on his civilian kilt:



But they're not exclusively military, as one of the men shown in The Highlanders of Scotland has bows to his kilt.

I have this vintage photo of a civilian wearing them:

Wonderful photo of Gordon Walker, Jack Lee, Roddy Macleod, Angus McColl, et al! What a great shot of some of the best pipers in the world!!! Man, would I love to have a ceilidh with them piping!!!

Slainte!!!

[OC Richard]

I just noticed that Gordon Walker is the only guy not wearing a black Argyll jacket... his is charcoal grey. He's always a notch above the rest.

And here he is again! Note that he's the only one not wearing a Prince Charlie, and that he has buckles and red laces on his ghillies...

[creagdhubh]

I just noticed that Gordon Walker is the only guy not wearing a black Argyll jacket... his is charcoal grey. He's always a notch above the rest.

And here he is again! Note that he's the only one not wearing a Prince Charlie, and that he has buckles and red laces on his ghillies...

Yes! He is always "a notch above the rest!" I love his style. I have never seen weathered colors worn with the black and silver of Highland evening wear, until I saw Gordon Walker doing so. I love it and plan to order a Macpherson weathered 8 yarder in strome as soon as I can do it! He is always conscious of his Highland attire, it seems, and thank goodness! I always look forward to seeing photos of him and what he will be wearing next. Thanks for the lovely photos Richard.

[BoldHighlander]

I don't know if I just missed them when viewing pictures in the past or what, but I've got to say I really like the idea of tartan rosettes!

Have you thought about going this route Brian?
(though I understand too the desire to honour your former branch of service)

Here's another view (in this case the Pipe Major of the Black Watch is the enormous man nicknamed the Big Ugg):


Gordon Walker, ex military, wears rosettes on his civilian kilt:

Great photos!
And being a connoisseur of the handlebar moustache (after a brief hiatus mine is back ) I really like the facial hair these gents are sporting!

and in the old days:


But they're not exclusively military, as one of the men shown in The Highlanders of Scotland has bows to his kilt.

I have this vintage photo of a civilian wearing them:

[longhuntr74]

Gordon Walker (who I've never heard of until just recently by reading these threads on XMTS...I've never been exposed to the world of piping) is my new role model for what "right" looks like when it comes to kilt wearing! He really does have class. I love that grey Argyll jacket, that weathered/muted tartan, and the hose selections. Those matching rosettes look awesome as well...I will be making a pair of them for wear with my BW kilt when I complete it...as well as for my US Army kilt down the road as well. I've got in mind a concept for how to make them a removable pin-on device so I can wear them for certain occassions, but don't have to wear them for all occasions.

[OC Richard]

I suppose the trick for these bows or rosettes would be finding tartan ribbon that matches the kilt well, like our Gordon Walker has done.

About 25 years ago I made a pair of Black Watch style bows of Gordon ribbon that I attached to my Gordon kilt. I'll try to find a photo.

I did a lot of Scottish Country Dancing back then and I always got comments on those bows.

OK here's a blast from the past, me in 1980 or so, showing those Gordon tartan bows. They're wrong of course, because the Gordon Highlanders never wore such.