Review my Attire 4

[KFCarter]

Ken, off topic I know but if your bonnet will not shrink any more and there does come a time when they don't, then plan "C" comes into play IF------

Has you bonnet got an inverted "V" where the bow is? It should have------ if not, get your local seamstress to make one(by the bow knot) so the widest part is about an inch an a half wide, sew along the cuts to keep it all tidy and then......Sew some elastic across the gap so that it actually closes it shut, but will open under tension . That should solve the problem for you.

Excellent idea and I have just the person for the job. Thanks!

[slohairt]

Ken, off topic I know but if your bonnet will not shrink any more and there does come a time when they don't, then plan "C" comes into play IF------

Has you bonnet got an inverted "V" where the bow is? It should have------ if not, get your local seamstress to make one(by the bow knot) so the widest part is about an inch an a half wide, sew along the cuts to keep it all tidy and then......Sew some elastic across the gap so that it actually closes it shut, but will open under tension . That should solve the problem for you.

The elastic is a good idea, Jock. I should point out that Mackie bonnets generally only have an inverted V if the 'tied bow' option is chosen when ordering. The headband is sewn closed (without the little ribbon edging on the "V") if the 'flat bow' or 'loose ribbons' options are chosen.

[slohairt]

Your outfit looks very good, Ken!

For the record I don't think the other looked that bad either. (Okay, maybe a bit too matching...) Viewing at the pictures together, they could represent 'Urban' vs. 'Country' style, if you know what I mean. The first looks like a Highland version of a modern 'dark business suit' while the latter looks like a country gentleman out for a stroll. Very nice!

[Jock Scot]

Your outfit looks very good, Ken!

For the record I don't think the other looked that bad either. (Okay, maybe a bit too matching...) Viewing at the pictures together, they could represent 'Urban' vs. 'Country' style, if you know what I mean. The first looks like a Highland version of a modern 'dark business suit' while the latter looks like a country gentleman out for a stroll. Very nice!

What an interesting observation and no doubt very valid when viewed through American eyes. To your eyes, you see country.

To my Scots eyes I see weddings, funerals, lunches, meetings, informal suppers, meet the Queen on any non formal occasion, drinks parties, BBQ's, regimental parades(as a spectator), a stroll around town AND country! The list is endless.

[slohairt]

What an interesting observation and no doubt very valid when viewed through American eyes. To your eyes, you see country.

To my Scots eyes I see weddings, funerals, lunches, meetings, informal suppers, meet the Queen on any non formal occasion, drinks parties, BBQ's, regimental parades(as a spectator), a stroll around town AND country! The list is endless.

Jock, I'm sure you meant to write Canadian eyes...

The style of dress also reminds me of how many of my older relatives in Co. Donegal dressed. Minus the kilt, of course! (And the bonnet would be replaced with a good Irish flat cap!)

[Jock Scot]

Jock, I'm sure you meant to write Canadian eyes...

The style of dress also reminds me of how many of my older relatives in Co. Donegal dressed. Minus the kilt, of course! (And the bonnet would be replaced with a good Irish flat cap!)

Sorry about that, I should have said North American.

[Jock Scot]

The elastic is a good idea, Jock. I should point out that Mackie bonnets generally only have an inverted V if the 'tied bow' option is chosen when ordering. The headband is sewn closed (without the little ribbon edging on the "V") if the 'flat bow' or 'loose ribbons' options are chosen.

Thank you for that, I learn something new every day. Still it is nothing that a pair of scissors could not sort out.

[KFCarter]

Your outfit looks very good, Ken!

For the record I don't think the other looked that bad either. (Okay, maybe a bit too matching...) Viewing at the pictures together, they could represent 'Urban' vs. 'Country' style, if you know what I mean. The first looks like a Highland version of a modern 'dark business suit' while the latter looks like a country gentleman out for a stroll. Very nice!

That's an interesting way of looking at it. I think it could apply in some business circles where the more "organic" approach might seem a bit too relaxed to some. But I also think there may be a regional factor at work, at least in the States. My mother's family hailed from the Midwest, a lot of my sartorial training came from that direction and I think your statement would really apply in that world. I pretty sure that branch of the family is the source of my "matchy" genes. But I it may be a bit different down South, where I've lived most of my life. See below....

What an interesting observation and no doubt very valid when viewed through American eyes. To your eyes, you see country.

To my Scots eyes I see weddings, funerals, lunches, meetings, informal suppers, meet the Queen on any non formal occasion, drinks parties, BBQ's, regimental parades(as a spectator), a stroll around town AND country! The list is endless.

Taking kilts out of the equation for the moment, I think that Jock would find some familiarity in the patterns of dress in Savannah and environs. I think one sees quite a lot of "unmatched" style, even in business settings and also in non formal social gatherings. This may be true across the river in the Low Country of South Cackalacky, too... what say ye, Charleston folks?

[Jock Scot]

In the time when I wore dark grey suits rather more regularly, I liked white shirts and usually a regimental style tie, although I was partial to very dark blue(almost black) ties with small spots. I cannot recall ever wearing a patterned shirt with a dark grey suit.

[English Bloke]

Great thread. I'm glad you kicked this off Jock. The ABF is a truely worthy cause.

And they support all this too...

"For 65 years the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) has worked tirelessly to provide support to serving soldiers, former soldiers and their families in times of need. The people we support include those with disabilities or mental illness, people experiencing homelessness or unemployment, and older people.

Welfare
The Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) is the Soldiers' Charity. We provide support to soldiers, former soldiers and their families in times of need. We work in partnership with Regimental and Corps Benevolent Funds and in co-operation with other Service charities. We identify and investigate eligible cases in "real need", and provide them with financial support.

Fundraising
We are dependent on voluntary donations, the ABF must currently raise around £5.5 million each year to continue its vital work with members of the Army Family. The ABF has a network of regional fundraisers across the UK and in other countries such as Cyprus and
Germany. Individual need can range from an electric wheelchair or a stair lift for an injured former soldier to care home fees for a Second World War veteran or a much needed holiday for a war widow and her young children.


Charities we support
Around half of the money is divided between around 80 smaller charities that look after the special needs of the Army Community.

In 2007 we supported the following charities:
Families
Army Families Federation
Army Widows Association
Army Welfare Service (minibuses)
Church Housing Trust (Mike Jackson House)
Community Housing & Therapy
CRUSE
Falklands Pilgrimage 2
Family Welfare Association
Forces Families in Need (Emergency) Trust FFINE
Officers’ Association
One Parent Families
RELATE
Royal Commonwealth Ex Services League
SAMA 82
SSAFA Forces Help
Tourism for All (formerly Holiday Care)
Veterans Aid (formerly Ex-Services Fellowship Centre)

Employment
Regular Forces Employment Association
Scottish Society for Employment of Ex-Regular Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen

Disabled people
British Ex-Services Wheelchair Sports Association (BEWSA)
British Limbless Ex-Service Men’s Association (BLESMA)
Broughton House Home for Disabled Ex-Servicemen
Cassette Library of Recorded Books (CALIBRE)
Chaseley Trust
Deafblind
Emmaus UK
Ex-Services Mental Welfare Society - Combat Stress
Gwennili Trust
Haig Homes
Help the Hospices
Home Farm Trust
Listening Books
Mutual Support
National Gulf Veterans & Families Association
Northern Ireland Memorial Relief of Dependants Fund
"Not Forgotten" Association
Phyllis Tuckwell Memorial Hospice
Portland Training College
Erskine Hospital
Queen Alexandra Hospital Home (Gifford House)
Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation
RADAR
Royal British Legion Industries (VAC)
Royal Star and Garter Home
Scottish Veterans Garden City Association
St David’s Home, Ealing
St Dunstan’s
St Loye’s Training College
Soundaround
Spinal Injuries Association
Thames Valley Hospice (Pine Lodge)
Thistle Foundation
Vitalise (formerly Winged Fellowship Trust)
William Simpson’s Home

Children
Alexandra House
Queen Victoria School, Dunblane

Older people
Age Concern Espana
Bournemouth War Memorial Homes
Brendon Care (formally Club Hampshire)
Chindits
COBSEO
Counsel & Care for the Elderly
League of Remembrance
Lord Kitchener Memorial Holiday Centre
Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society
Royal Cambridge Home for Soldiers’ Widows
Royal Hospital, Chelsea
Scottish Veterans’ Residences
Veterans Scotland
War Pensioners Committees
West Indian Ex-Servicemen’s Association"