[Kaw-Liga]

How are Piper accessories different??

Only kilted for a few months and wonder what the differences ore for Pipers accessories.

How are Piper Hose different from Regular Hose??

Also Pipers Sporans / Pipers Plaids / Pipers Jacket

Thanks

Kaw-Liga

[Farlander]

Often piper dress is part of a uniform that is intended to be a bit showier (and a bit more formal) than typical highland dress. There are no hard and fast rules to differentiate piper dress, but there are some tendencies. For example regarding your question about hose; the hose is often white for a piper. The fancy long horse hair sporran is common for a piper and is perhaps the most distinctive part of their uniform.

I am sure there are other differences. Perhaps a piper will 'pipe' in with more information?

[Ryan Ross]

Pipers hose are commonly very thick in the cuff, often white, and generally have a waffle pattern to the cuff.

Pipers sporrans are often military style horse hair sporrans, though different bands use different types of sporrans in their uniforms; when it comes down to it, I don't know that there are many, if any strictly "piper" sporrans.

Piper's and drummer's plaids wrap around the body, and are made with quite a bit of yardage; they really have no place in civilian attire.

Pipers often wear special doublets that are only generally used as uniforms. Many bands can also be seen wearing Argyle type jackets that are identical to civillian jackets.

In the end, it all comes down to what an individual piper chooses to wear, or what a specific band settles on for their uniform.

[EagleJCS]

As a piper, I think I can help explain some of this.

In some ways, the 'piper' designation just makes it easier for some sellers to market their wares (online searches, etc.). They're also being marketed with the aim of providing group discounts and/or bulk rate discounts to pipe bands or groups (Scottish/Burns Societies) wanting a uniform look. In many cases, it's a military style look that's being marketed (think of the stereotypical 'piper' in "full regalia" - Black Watch or Scots Guards, for example).

The "piper" products are often mass-produced, so the quality might not be as good as a custom order or higher-priced item. This will vary from item to item and vendor to vendor.

As far as "piper hose", in my experience they're designed to have a 'popcorn' look to the tops when they're folded over, and often can be folded over three or four times to give them that bulky look that is common in the military pipe bands.

A "piper sporran" may be one of the long horsehair sporrans, either white with black tassels or black with white tassels, both styles with a silver (or a white metal - chrome or polished nickel) cantle. That's generally considered a military style in the pipe band world, and most competing pipe bands these days prefer just plain leather sporrans.

A "pipers plaid" is similar to a drummer's plaid (and is probably them same thing, just worn by a different instrumentalist - I don't wear one, so I don't know for sure). It gets wrapped around the body, pleated across the chest, attached to the shoulder by a brooch, and hung loose off the back. Also a military style look.

A "piper's jacket" is probably a military-style jacket which buttons up the front, with shells at the shoulders (fancy braid following the curve of the seam front-to-back, projecting out from the shoulder), with 'tashes' or 'Inverness flaps' at the front which fall below the beltline. Often, a belt is worn over the jacket to help emphasize this.

Hope that clears things up somewhat.

[piperdbh]

Farlander has hit the answer square on target.
For 'pipers in bands, their uniform and its accessories are decided by the 'Pipe Major. Many civilian bands aim for a military look, which leads to thier regalia looking like military issue.
A civilian 'piper who is not part of a band (like me) can wear whatever he/she wants and/or can afford.

[HarborSpringsPiper]

Originally Posted by EagleJCS

A "pipers plaid" is similar to a drummer's plaid (and is probably them same thing, just worn by a different instrumentalist - I don't wear one, so I don't know for sure). It gets wrapped around the body, pleated across the chest, attached to the shoulder by a brooch, and hung loose off the back. Also a military style look.

Actually, they're quite different. Here's a link to Keltoi's site that shows a piper's plaid being worn http://www.gaelicclothing.com/pipersdrummers.htm. The drummer's plaid is almost half the length, just hangs partially down the left front through the epaulette without crossing over the chest and ends in a narrow belt that fits around the waist, under the doublet. The rear of the drummer's plaid does not hang below the kilt selvedge and does not fan over the left shoulder, as does the piper's plaid.

--------------------------------------------

These are the best pics I could find but leave a lot to be desired if you've never seen them up close. The couple of bands I had played in, both pipers and drummers wore the drummer's plaid. It's a lot more comfortable and still looks quite sharp IMHO.

[Jack Daw]

For daywear piping competitions, I avoid wearing anything that draws attention away from my piping; therefore, I wear: the ghillie brogues; plain, black leather sporran; and glengarry bonnet, all of which I prefer not to wear otherwise. I have two horsehair sporrans and a pair of white spats that I have worn for hired piping gigs, but for no other situation. I don't have a doublet, but I have a patrol tunic that I would not wear if I were not piping.

[BobsYourUncle]

Perhaps the most complete explanation of piper's dress can be found in the manuals of the Regimental Drum Major's Association [RDMA]. http://drummajor.net/1Manuals.htm. It may be useful for you to know that in many bands, the Drum Major is the head of all, not just the drummers, and so sets the dress for the pipers. Enjoy!

[HarborSpringsPiper]

Originally Posted by Jack Daw

For daywear piping competitions, I avoid wearing anything that draws attention away from my piping; therefore, I wear: the ghillie brogues; plain, black leather sporran; and glengarry bonnet, all of which I prefer not to wear otherwise. I have two horsehair sporrans and a pair of white spats that I have worn for hired piping gigs, but for no other situation. I don't have a doublet, but I have a patrol tunic that I would not wear if I were not piping.

Haven't competed in ages but when I started, I wasn't alone wearing a No. 1 style uniform on the boards. Liked it better when I started to wear a daywear jacket, etc. as the piper's doublet, plaid, spats, etc. is kind of bulky and hot.

I tend to guage what I wear to gigs based on the event. I try to get a sense of the setting and formality of the event and go from there, often asking the principles what their thoughts are, after offering what I see as appropriate options.

After decades, I am in the process of putting together a No. 1 uniform, interestingly enough at my wife's encouragement. Just picked up a brand new (supposedly worn once) Piper's doublet on eBay for $75. Actually all of the pieces I have picked up have been in trade or as a deal I ran across. Couple of more pieces and I'll be set. Haven't figured out when I'll wear this get up; maybe Dewar's will be having a promo in the area??

[wildrover]

We're just guys in kilts like everyone else, somewhere between #4 and #7 on the "1 kilt 10 looks" thread.

Take a look at photos and video of competing pipers and pipe bands and you'll see what I mean.

-Sean