Civilian Mess Jackets

[macwilkin]

Okay, just a couple of points concerning the kilt and hot, sticky, weather:

The clan Campbell RSR seems to totally the opinion/invention of a member of that clan. The military was quite clear that RSR was trews, cummerbund, white shirt, black bow tie.

Worn with any sort of formal attire, a red bow tie is very infra dig.

Cummerbunds aren't worn with a kilt. When worn with trews they should be black, or the same colour as the body of the jacket. Without the jacket (shudder) then black. Also, and this is important, a proper cummerbund is about 4 1/2 inches wide and goes completely around one's tummy; the pleated bit of satin with an elastic band across the back is designed to be worn with a jacket, never with the jacket removed.

Linen and light weight cotton. If it's hot, this is the way to go. Also the US forces wear a white mess jacket in the summer, and these can be found on ebay for a couple of bucks, or purchased new on line from Marlow-White for a lot more bucks. Finally, most Southern tux rental shops can kit you out in a white mess/spencer jacket this time of year.

So, rather than refer to RSR, allow me to suggest a new form of formal attire: SSR; Sweltering Summer Rig.

Scott,

I don't see any reference in the aforementioned article from the CCSNA to the Highland variant of RSR using a kilt:

"Tartan trews are worn with an evening long sleeved shirt and black bow tie."

T.