Civilian Mess Jackets

[macwilkin]

As many have posted in other threads lately that they find themselves logging in or participating in XMTS threads less recently due to a variety of reasons...I sometimes feel the same way. But then threads like this come along and I learn something that I didn't know...and it's refreshing.

I consider myself fairly well versed in the levels of attire and etiquette, Saxon, military, and now Highland as well...but never have I heard of Red Sea Rig. Thank you all for exposing me to another little bit of knowledge. I'm not opposed to the look, but have to say that I'm with MacLL on the opinion side. I think it's a perfectly acceptable manner of dress when it's named as the dress code for an event. However, if you are attending a civilian black tie affair where everybody else is wearing traditional black tie (ie. with jacket)...you'll look under-dressed (best case) or like a waiter (worst case).

Getting back to the subject of the thread...mess jackets...I love the look. I'll admit to being very tempted to wear my uniform mess jacket with a kilt, but have thus far resisted out of respect for uniform regulations and not mixing US military and Highland attire in civilian wear. Regarding the white mess jacket...I think it carries with it a similar stigma to the white shirt/cummerbund/bow tie combination (I haven't used RSR here on purpose...we can call it RSR in it's designated place, but when it's not the designated uniform it's just poor form or a service uniform) in that it may conjure up images of waiters or cruise ship attendants (Love Boat, anyone?) I have been tempted to buy the white mess uniform...it's relatively inexpensive...but the problem is that nobody in the U.S. Army wears it...so if I wore it to a summertime function (which are also rare...most balls tend to be during the Christmas holiday season or in the spring), I'd be the only white jacket in a sea of blue and black.

http://usafflagranks.com/unknown_brigadier_general.html

I happened to be watching They Were Expendable this weekend, and noted a US Army officer in a white tropical uniform at the dance in the beginning of the film. I'm fairly certain I've seen a photo of "Dugout Doug" wearing one in the Islands (Philippines) as well.

Just some interesting "flotsam and jetsam" regarding US military uniforms of "days of yore".

T.