To stripe or sett?

[Jack Daw]

Lots of non-military pipe bands also have kilts pleated to the stripe as well.

Yes, they are non-military, but pipe bands dress in the military fashion. It's basically required for competitions sanctioned by the various bagpipe associations such as the Eastern U.S. Pipe Band Association (EUSPBA) and the WUSPBA.

[Barb T]

True, but there's no requirement to have kilts with military pleating.

EUSPBA doesn't, for example, require that we have military jackets (our band has ordinary Argyle jackets), and we have plain white shirts, no epaulets. They don't require us to compete wearing jackets or vests or even ties. We do wear Glengarries, but I've seen bands compete in tams.

Barb

[Jack Daw]

True, but there's no requirement to have kilts with military pleating.

EUSPBA doesn't, for example, require that we have military jackets (our band has ordinary Argyle jackets), and we have plain white shirts, no epaulets. They don't require us to compete wearing jackets or vests or even ties. We do wear Glengarries, but I've seen bands compete in tams.

Barb

You're right about the lack of strictness or military requirement. My comment was too limited. What is required by EUSPBA is "Highland dress." The ideal is for a pipe band to be "uniform" in dress, if not IN uniform. Still, a good many pipe bands aim for as military a look as they can attain - ghillie brogues rather than plain black shoes; piper shirts, instead of plain white; matching tartans; matching pleating, etc... If you have two Grade 1 bands competing, sometimes their dress code may be the deciding factor.

[ForresterModern]

Not that I am any kind of fashion expert, but I think the dominant green and blue of the tartan would look great pleated to that narrow triple blue stripe (light-dark-light). That broad orange stripe is pretty strong but could give you a nice light look from the back too, but a wee bit too much contrast to the rest of the tartan for me. Pleated to the set gives you the same look coming and going, which is the safe way to go if you are feeling conservative.

[kiltimabar]

You're right about the lack of strictness or military requirement. My comment was too limited. What is required by EUSPBA is "Highland dress." The ideal is for a pipe band to be "uniform" in dress, if not IN uniform. Still, a good many pipe bands aim for as military a look as they can attain - ghillie brogues rather than plain black shoes; piper shirts, instead of plain white; matching tartans; matching pleating, etc... If you have two Grade 1 bands competing, sometimes their dress code may be the deciding factor.

I was unaware that "ghillie brogues rather than plain black shoes" was a military style--I should think rather the opposite.

[BoldHighlander]

I was unaware that "ghillie brogues rather than plain black shoes" was a military style--I should think rather the opposite.

I think your correct. Was just looking at a picture (circa 1996) of the Highlanders (Seaforths, Gordons and Camerons) on parade and they are all wearing plain black shoes.

I also recall corresponding with a gent a number of years ago who sold surplus UK army wear about shoes, and he had some worn by the Scottish units (that he got direct from them) and they were all plain black shoes as well (no ghillies).

[Warlock]

If it was my family tartan, I would have to go with the sett.

[Jack Daw]

I was unaware that "ghillie brogues rather than plain black shoes" was a military style--I should think rather the opposite.

You are correct; I miswrote...AGAIN! I actually have a pair of patent leather military "parade" shoes that I wear with my spats. But, the pipe bands in the heat of Texas will wear the ghillie brogues.