Highlanders Discuss Highland Attire

[BoldHighlander]

Sadly, cap courtesy, in this country is a forgotten art. It use to be when watching a parade or at a public event when the American flag passed or the National Anthem played, one stood, removed his hat and placed it over his heart with his right hand. Hats were removed indoors and tipped to ladies. These days we are lucky to get people to stand when the Flag passes or The National Anthem is played.

Hear! Hear!
At our recent St. Pat's parade I removed my caubeen as soon as the honor guard appeared. I couldn't help but note how many other men around me looked rather confused by my actions & slowly (most) followed my lead

[Downunder Kilt]

A very interesting question you raise Jock Scot. I fear that your query has gone with most other manners these days and that is out the window. I have been told off for holding doors open for others, looked at strangely when I stand for a lady leaving or sitting down at a table, asked why I have taken my hat off when meeting a woman, been laughed at when standing for a woman or older person on public transport. The list could go on. I am not saying that I don't get thanked by the person that that I am offering the courtesy to but others who observe it snigger. I was at a highland gathering this last weekend and when the national anthem was played I would estimate that less than 50% of the males removed their hats. Perhaps we are classed as old fashioned, but I do as was taught to me by my parents and that's what I will continue to do

[Jock Scot]

A very interesting question you raise Jock Scot. I fear that your query has gone with most other manners these days and that is out the window. I have been told off for holding doors open for others, looked at strangely when I stand for a lady leaving or sitting down at a table, asked why I have taken my hat off when meeting a woman, been laughed at when standing for a woman or older person on public transport. The list could go on. I am not saying that I don't get thanked by the person that that I am offering the courtesy to but others who observe it snigger. I was at a highland gathering this last weekend and when the national anthem was played I would estimate that less than 50% of the males removed their hats. Perhaps we are classed as old fashioned, but I do as was taught to me by my parents and that's what I will continue to do

Like you, I believe that the age of courtesy is not dead. I could say more, but I had better not.

[Highland Logan]

...I honor the Scottish regiments and those brave men who fought, and who are still fighting, by wearing several different regimental neckties with my kilt.

Off topic, but you did bring it up. If you really want to honour them, you would not be wearing their Regt. ties, as you did not earn the right to wear them.

Frank

[Jock Scot]

Off topic, but you did bring it up. If you really want to honour them, you would not be wearing their Regt. ties, as you did not earn the right to wear them.

Frank

I have only just spotted this and you are quite right to point it out, Frank. As we are talking "Traditional Highland Dress" and as we are discussing how the present day Highlanders wear the kilt and attire in Scotland you are not off topic one bit. Wearing Regimental ties that you have not earned the right to, is not done with Highland attire. Kyle you are a Marine(Rtd), what is the matter with your unit tie? As you are so keen and enthusiastic about Highland attire and there is no doubting that you are, then may I respectfully ask you to follow Frank's sage advice.

[OC Richard]

For you Americans cowboy hat -- where do you put it indoors?

I don't know if you Scots have seen these, but pickup trucks in Texas etc are often equipped with a spring-loaded wire loop which lies up flush with the cabin ceiling. This loop holds your cowboy hat nice and flat against ceiling, out of the way when you're driving.

[macwilkin]

I don't know if you Scots have seen these, but pickup trucks in Texas etc are often equipped with a spring-loaded wire loop which lies up flush with the cabin ceiling. This loop holds your cowboy hat nice and flat against ceiling, out of the way when you're driving.

We had those in our vehicles in the Park Service for our "Smokey Bear" hats.

T.

[davidlpope]

Kyle you are a Marine(Rtd), what is the matter with your unit tie?

Although there is no official "regimental-style" civilian neckwear for Marines (just as the Leatherneck tartan is not officially recognized), there are several nice alternatives out there. Ben Silver offers a green/scarlet/gold striped necktie and gold "EGA" crested neckties in scarlet and green. The Marine Corps Association and the Marine Corps Historical Foundation both offer various Marine-themed neckties, including a crested necktie featuring the original Marine Corps emblem on navy blue.

I've got a couple of these and find they go well with my kilt, etc.

Cordially,

David

[ThistleDown]

I don't know if you Scots have seen these, but pickup trucks in Texas etc are often equipped with a spring-loaded wire loop which lies up flush with the cabin ceiling. This loop holds your cowboy hat nice and flat against ceiling, out of the way when you're driving.

I guess a wise thing for hats that are not supposed to be crushable, but as Jock has pointed out, the best place for a Balmoral in your vehicle is the dash (or the seat next to you, or the floor).

[ThistleDown]

Off topic, but you did bring it up. If you really want to honour them, you would not be wearing their Regt. ties, as you did not earn the right to wear them.

Frank

Right on topic, I think, Frank. We are discussing how Highlanders Wear Highland Dress in this thread, and perhaps this is just another example of cultural diversity. In Scotland we would never wear the tie of a regiment to which we do not belong and that is perhaps a bit similar to not wearing the tartan of a clan to which we are not connected. Perhaps neither is true in the US, but would you not agree that the former is true in Canada and not the latter?