Marine Corps League - X Marks the Scot

Scully · #1 12-10-2008, 06:38 AM

I am a member of the Marine Corps League (MCL) here in NC. We just had our Christmas party and awards banquet. Our Department of NC commandant was in attendance so I asked if he would consider a uniform change/addition to the league uniform. Wait for it!
I have asked for a kilted version of our complete uniform line (summer, winter, casual and dress). He gave me permission to come to our next quarterly meeting kilted, so I will attend in my brand new USA kilts casual Am. Heritage. I have placed orders for the required accessories this morning. The meetng is next week (rush delivery please) so I haven't much time to prepare.

I want to suggest to the national folks that we adopt an optional kilted uniform. I was thinking of the following tartans: American Heritage (goes well with the scarlet jacket), USMC Leatherneck, Black Watch and Shadow tartan black. If there are any other MCL members, Marines or XMTS members who could give any advice on presentation I would be very grateful.

thanks Scully

McMurdo · #2 12-10-2008, 06:54 AM

Good for you, I was wondering what are the "required accessories" you ordered? As for advice on presentation, well that to my mind depends on the level of dress of others there. You say it's a uniform so I'm guessing it's a pretty snappy look. I would suggest therefore going through both the Dressy and Formal kilt wear threads you can find them here:
Formal kilt photos

Dressy kilt photos

Good luck with it, I hope you will post photos when you have it all together, and again good for you for bringing it up in the first place.

davedove · #3 12-10-2008, 07:08 AM

You might want to check out Alexis Malcolm. They have some accessories with the emblems of all the branches. It may not be what you're looking for, but it's worth a look.

http://www.alexismalcolmkilts.com/1451/1469.html

Riverkilt · #4 12-10-2008, 07:13 AM

Can't find them, but someone posted pics of a Marine affiliated pipe and drum group that wears blue kilts with a red blood stripe.

Semper Fi

Ron

Scully · #5 12-10-2008, 08:34 AM

The "dress" is scarlet jacket, white long sleeved shirt, black tie, black (don't make me say it) trousers, black shoes and socks and a black belt. The variations are removing the jacket and/or tie with long and short sleeves.

The required accessories would be sporran/w holder (ordered) black kilt belt (working on now) and maybe black kilt hose (I have cream). I have the hose (cream) and red flashes (from Rocky at USA) and I am looking for a nice plain belt (black) for my USMC buckle.

I said before that the Tartan I have goes well with the rest of the ensemble (pics when I get home later).

JS Sanders · #6 12-10-2008, 08:34 AM

Try here: http://leatherneckpipeband.com

Scully · #7 12-10-2008, 08:43 AM

I am also a member of our color guard. Now I need another kilt in that dress blue.

cavscout · #8 12-10-2008, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scully

I am looking for a nice plain belt (black) for my USMC buckle.

What buckle is this? The brass waist plate or some other buckle?

Scully · #9 12-10-2008, 07:13 PM

Here is what I have now.

This is "dress" but not formal.

This from the side.

Showing the belt without the sporran or kilt belt.

Without jacket...I know the kilt is crooked and too high.

I think from the photos I have seen on the site that I need another jacket taylored for a kilt. There is a PC in scarlett for formal occations (sp). However I think for daily wear that this will be fine.

I welcome your comments and suggestions.

cavscout · #10 12-10-2008, 10:02 PM

All in all the concept works and looks great. Just needs a little refinement.

I'd opt for a wider belt with a kilt. Something between 1-3/4" and 2.5". I noticed in the Marine Corps League web store they have a square waist plate style buckle and belt for the 1-3/4" belts or you could look at Stillwaters belts and Marine Corps buckles.

The jacket does need to be tailored for wear with a kilt. It won't take a lot. Just shorten the length raise the pocket flaps an inch or so and add a sporran cutaway on the front. Several members have done this, as have I, and it can run between $30 and $60. This would turn the jacket into essentially a Crail jacket and give a much nicer look. Standard suit jackets are just too long to be worn with a kilt. The bottom of the jacket should fall just above or right at the widest part of your hips or where the pleats are not sewn down.

Personally, the red in the tartan and the red in the jacket, cover and flashes clash to my eye. Not a big deal but if going for a uniform appearance I think the reds should match. You might have better results with the Leatherneck tartan.

I'd also lean towards a simple black sporran. No need to get one with a bunch of nickel accents on it as it would only clash with the brass and golds in the rest of the uniform (but if you could find a black and gold/brass day sporran go for it.

Kathy Lair sells a K-Bar sgian dubh you could incorporate also.

And as always, these are just my opinions, your mileage may vary.