over doing the bling?

[CMcG]

I'm afraid you are grasping at straws here. Velvet embridered evening shoe/slippers have been around for a very long time. The Duke of Windsor wore them; Prince Charles wears them--even with the kilt.

And so what if the sporran isn't real leopard skin? Is there some requirement that fur has to be "authentic"? What about the various furs in use today which resemble seal skin but aren't? What about chrome cantles which are a cheap imitation of silver but (unfortunately) are commonplace on "traditional" evening sporrans?

I see nothing wrong with embroidered pumps. Personally, they would not be my choice for evening wear with the kilt, but since I have a pair I might give them a try when next I entertain!

I see nothing wrong with embroidered pumps either. It just doesn't seem like THCD to be sporting a skull and cross bones, with its origins as a pirate symbol.

As for real leopard skin vs. leopard print, it has to do with the associations of latter. Do a google image search for "leopard print clothing" and one is unlikely to find anything that could be deemed traditional or proper.

But apparently I'm grasping at straws, so I will give up. THCD is much more adventurous than I thought; Ahoy matey!

[Highland Logan]

I see nothing wrong with embroidered pumps either. It just doesn't seem like THCD to be sporting a skull and cross bones, with its origins as a pirate symbol.

Not to jump in on anyone's toes, but the skull and crossbones have been a Masonic symbol, as well as having been used by many militaries (and not just the German) for centuries. MacLowlife would have to explain why he chose those pumps himself, but don't jump to conclusions without all the facts.

Frank

[Jock Scot]

Not to jump in on anyone's toes, but the skull and crossbones have been a Masonic symbol, as well as having been used by many militaries (and not just the German) for centuries. MacLowlife would have to explain why he chose those pumps himself, but don't jump to conclusions without all the facts.

Frank

The skull and crossbones is the cap badge of the British cavalry regiment 17th/21st Lancers.No doubt it has other uses, pirates for one, submariners fly it when returning to port after a successful mission for another.

[JSFMACLJR]

Perhaps MacLowlife went to Yale and was a member of Skull and Bones.

[BobsYourUncle]

Perhaps MacLowlife went to Yale and was a member of Skull and Bones.

Cheeky devil

[MacLowlife]

The embroidered skulls match two rings given to me by my godfather on his deathbed. I returned to the jungle to take over his business after going to college* in America.








*Technically, I was not always enrolled, but it was a learning experience, nonetheless.

[Highland Logan]

The embroidered skulls match two rings given to me by my godfather on his deathbed.

That's a nice personal story... I'm glad it had nothing to do with pirates!

Frank

[davidlpope]

The embroidered skulls match two rings given to me by my godfather on his deathbed. I returned to the jungle to take over his business after going to college* in America.

Don't worry. We'll never tell...

[Mike_Oettle]

Highland Logan wrote: “Not to jump in on anyone's toes, but the skull and crossbones have been a Masonic symbol, as well as having been used by many militaries (and not just the German) for centuries.”

Long before the Freemasons began using the skull and crossbones, it was a Templar symbol.
Since the Templars were (to my understanding) behind the original establishment of Freemasons in Scotland, it is hardly surprising that the Masons have continued its use.
I have also come across speculation (at this point unconfirmed) that early pirates were in fact Templars who had taken to marine adventuring following the suppression of the Templar order.
The Templars not only maintained an army, but also had a highly effective navy. Some of its ships took Templars to Scotland following the suppression.
In Iberia, the Templars were never suppressed. The order’s name was changed to Order of Christ.
Both the Portuguese explorers who sailed down the African coast and Christopher Columbus sailed under the auspices of that order (that is to say, its Portuguese and Castilian chapters respectively), and displayed its red cross on their sails.
Regards,
Mike

PS: David Pope has blown MacLowlife’s cover!

[ThistleDown]

I see nothing wrong with embroidered pumps either. It just doesn't seem like THCD to be sporting a skull and cross bones, with its origins as a pirate symbol.

As for real leopard skin vs. leopard print, it has to do with the associations of latter. Do a google image search for "leopard print clothing" and one is unlikely to find anything that could be deemed traditional or proper.

But apparently I'm grasping at straws, so I will give up. THCD is much more adventurous than I thought; Ahoy matey!

Oh I agree with you. The skull and crossbones (the Jolly Roger is a flag, by the way) is not to my taste whether embroidered, cast in metal or as a symbol on a gravestone. But as was said, pumps are traditional evening wear and what is affixed to them is very personal. As for the sporran I must admit I covet the Prince's but can't imagine myself in the rabbit-fur ones that have become acceptable over time.