USA Kilts Order for US Army Tartan

[Riverkilt]

So, before I get too deep into this...Tartan Texan Trenton....I proudly wear a replica WWII enlisted Ike Jacket in honor of my Uncle Don's service. Just his stripes and unit patch so far, plan to add his combat service stripes some day. Have intentionally left off his ribbons and CIB to avoid "misunderstanding" that somehow I'm old enough to have earned them in War 2.

So far, I've never offended anyone that's communicated that to me. Proudly wore the jacket in our local Veteran's Day parade this year and the parade announcer explained the significance of it and Uncle Don's service on the front lines across France and Germany.

This is one of the jackets I plan to wear with the Army tartan. I don't see how anyone could mistake it for a current service uniform...but I'm open to enlightenment.



The kilt here is weathered Gordon from Celtic Croft...not too different than the Army tartan.




Kilt here is my USA Kilts Macdonald semi-traditional.

Don't have any pics, but I also own a replica officer's Ike jacket with my late father's Captain's bars, Army Air Corps patch, Army Air Corps wings, Royal Air Force wings on the right chest, and combat hash marks. Plan to wear that with the Army tartan to honor his service.

By the way. I used to live in San Antonio after my father came home from combat and was assigned there as an instructor of flight instructors back during WWII.

Guess I need a reality check here. I'm ordering the Army tartan kilt to honor my uncle and father and other dead ancestors who served in combat with the U.S. Army...not to anger those currently serving or living veterans.

Thanks for any feedback.

Ron

[Splash_4]

Ron,

I'll take a pass at this, although my service time was simply one hitch (more if you count the fact I am an military brat).

I have no provlem with the items you are describing. Wearing those to honor those who came before is a good idea. The one thing that gets folks into trouble is when they wear the uniform and attempt to pass themselves off as currently serving.

In my own opinion, the only thing I would consider iffy is the wearing of the rank insignia. But that is just me.

Mike

[Riverkilt]

Thanks Splash 4,

Know this is getting old...Trent had a question about my RAF replica battlejacket too.

First, I doubt anyone would mistake me for currently serving because of my beard and ponytail...and, I guess, obvious olde age.

Second, I've always been open about my own service in '65-'66.

And, I have well considered the issue with the stripes and the bars...my decision was that the point of honoring my father and uncle would be lost without the partial recreation of their uniform on the replica jackets.

What I don't wanna do is go around angering folks - understanding that there are some that will anger over most anything. Trent's comment to RCallan is the reason I'm doing this double check.

Gonna need a solid reason to change my mind though. My father saw a couple years of combat when we were still loosing. My uncle did the dirty work on the front lines. That was a lot of wars ago, but I ain't forgot.

And sorry Rocky, don't mean to pull this off topic since your stocking the Army tartan is what this is all about. I figure there may be others out there wanting to honor family in the same way but afraid of being criticized for it.

If we can put this question to rest maybe others will help with the starter order.

Ron

[Tartan Texan Trenton]

OK, guiys, I'll back off.

But let me share this with you - a few years back, near Central Park in NYC, a very attractive woman in an obviously expensive designer dress goes strolling by - wearing a Vietnam-era Marine dress blue jacket, complete with division patch and rank insignia, draped casually around her. You can draw your own conclusions as to how I felt.

[Tattoo Bradley]

Semi-Traditional Kilt
(aka Traditional Kilt)


These are the kilts that will wear well at weddings, highland games, concerts, dinners, events, or anytime that you feel the need to dress a bit more authentically... or you can wear them with a T Shirt!

Our Semi Traditional kilts have a tapered and fringed front apron. This model generally has 18-35 pleats (.75 to 1 inch wide) and a triple buckle closure system. Each one comes with tapered hips and is made to your measurements to insure a proper fit. They come with 2 belt loops (4 inches tall) on the back of the kilt to accommodate a traditional kilt belt. The Semi Traditional kilts are all hand pleated with an exacting standard to either the Sett or the Stripe.

Our Semi Traditional kilts are made from Poly Viscose (and a select few tartans are cotton twill), which is an 11 oz machine washable fabric. These tartans are all registered with the Scottish Tartan Authority.

This is straight from their page.

[BonnieT100]

Mark me down for a semi-trad. The gf is totally for it, which is a good sign. As far as people wearing uniform parts, the only thing I take issue with is wearing rank. The only reason for that is when I see someone wearing rank insignia, I assume they once held that rank. When it comes to officer rank, your are best not to wear it if you did not hold it - there's legal issues involved there. Anything else, I consider to have a booster role. My cousin wears the insignia of the 101st Airborne Division on his motorcycle jacket because I used to be in that unit. Guess I gotta get him an 82nd one now.

[Tartan Texan Trenton]

Thanks, T100 - my sentiments are much the same. My post here was trying to convince someone it's fine for civilians to wear the Army tartan, when they didn't think it was.

[CelticRanger66]

I have 24 years of service both enlisted and officer in the U S Army and my combat record goes all the way back to Grenada. I think your Ike jackets in honor of the vets in your family is great. Hope to see you soon in the Army Tartan.( My great Grandfather was with Jubal Early as a artillery sgt.). Rocky I have 4 of my comrades ready to buy a Army Tartan ST Kilt. Just waiting for the word. Herman


PS also a VFW Life Member.

[Riverkilt]

Thanks Herman,

That's a big boost towards our goal.

And so weird that my great great grandfather and your great grandfather met in combat on opposite sides near Washington D.C.

Glad they didn't shoot each other or neither of us would be here wearing kilts!

And, for some reason that coincidence brings to mind my being in Washington D.C. as a civilian during the Veteran's riots when there were sandbagged machine gun emplacements on street corners, tanks roaming the streets, and tear gas in the air. So weird when it happened in our own nation's capital.

Sorry, don't mean to drift of track...just a memory.

Rocky, what's our count now??

Ron

[RockyR]

I just re-read the thread and these are the definites (as they have posted):

Celticranger 1 + 4 (army buddies) = 5 Semi Trads
Ron - 1 ST
Tartantexan - 1 ST
BonnieT100 - 1 ST
KidCossak - 1 Casual
Celticranger - 1 Kilted Skirt (for his wife)

KCW - 1 casual (MAYBE... did you MEAN to vote?)
Brad - 1 casual MAYBE... he'll let me know later.


We'll call that 10 kilts for sure. At LEAST 5 more to go by Jan 15.

ALSO... please note that this count will not be complete until I have contacted everyone and gotten the billing info and a credit card # for at LEAST 75% of the kilt cost (you can deposit 75% down or full ammt down or anywhere in between). I am keeping the deposit at 75% to help cover the expense we're eating in ordering 130 Meters (much more than needed for the 15 kilts, but it's the minimum we can order).

If I try to contact everyone and 5 people (out of the 15) back out or can't be reached, I will not charge anyone's card until we reach the 15 kilt minimum and are ready to place the order.

CelticRanger... If possible, can your buddies pay you and you give me the lump deposit for all of you? If not, I'll need all of their contact info to get in touch with them... obviously, you should PM or email it to me, not post it here.

Questions... post here or call or email or PM me!