Honor guard

**Fireboykirk** · 27th October 13, 11:09 AM

Howdy Rabble,
I'm looking for some advise. My fire department Honor Guard wants to transition to a kilted unit. It has fallen to me to find the correct uniform. I have some thoughts on the style, but I have to find the best price possible.

Any suggestions?

**Mike_Oettle** · 27th October 13, 11:51 AM

Regarding the uniform, there are other members here better able to advise. But I can recommend that they wear one of the many firefighters’ tartans. There is sure to be one appropriate for the honour guard’s use, starting with Firefighter’s Memorial.
You could of course design your own, but that will put you into a higher cost bracket.
Regards,
Mike

**Fireboykirk** · 27th October 13, 11:56 AM

I agree. We will probably go with the Sportkilt firefighter Works kilt. It has a lot of bang for the buck. I would love an 8yd wool, but there is no way we could afford that at this point.

**Steve Ashton** · 27th October 13, 02:57 PM

If I may suggest.

The Firefighters Memorial Tartan was designed by Kelly Stewart/Roeger of USA Kilts.

"USA Kilts is donating 15% of every kilt made (that’s a majority of our labor costs per kilt) to the Leary Firefighters Foundation."

You simply can't find a better price for a quality garment than -

http://www.usakilts.com/firefighters...ardl-kilt.html

**Fireboykirk** · 27th October 13, 03:13 PM

Thank you sir. I welcome suggestions.

I'm going back and forth between USAkilts and Sportkilt. Both donate back to the cause and they have strong points. I like the straps on the Sportkilt at that price range but love the precision and pleats of USAkilts.

**Bill aka Mole** · 27th October 13, 04:33 PM

I currently own a Sportkilt in National FF Memorial and a USA Kilt in Firefighters Memorial. The biggest difference, after the content and weight of the fabric, is the depth of the pleats on USA kilt's 8 yard kilt. My missus says that the swing is better on the USA kilt due to both the weight and amount of fabric involved. Just her observation. Good luck!

**Kilted Cole** · 27th October 13, 05:42 PM

I think Rocky at www.usakilts.com has a firefighter tartan...and a firemans axe kilt pin. Ah...Steve beat me to the punch! lol If you want a good look at rocky and kelly's kilt...feel free to look through my profile....most of my kilts were made from their shop.

**EagleJCS** · 27th October 13, 06:49 PM

I would suggest foregoing the full-on military (or para-military) look with the feather bonnet, regulation doublet, drummer's or belted plaid, etc. It can be difficult to get that to look right if you've no one experienced in how to put it all on and adjust the fit properly.

A simpler uniform would be to adapt your department's current dress uniform, with the substitution of the kilt for trousers. You'll probably need a short-waisted jacket ("Ike" jacket style or something similar) for cooler weather, as most fire department jackets I've seen are the long-skirted type that come to mid-thigh or so and button down the front, either single- or double-breasted. I'd substitute a red & white diced Glengarry for the headgear.

A lot of fire departments with pipe bands (Boston, New York, Chicago(?), etc.) wear the long white/natural horsehair sporrans with dark tassels (though you could go with the black horsehair & white tassles). A less expensive alternative would be the modern "hunting" sporran, which is black leather with a chrome cantle and chrome studs on the front - no tassles. Very popular with pipe bands the past couple of years. Get a plain leather sporran strap rather than the chain to avoid damaging the kilt.

Most seem to pleat their kilts to the stripe (rumored to be the 'military' style pleating) but as we've seen in other recent threads, that's not necessarily so.

Many departments wear spats & hose tops with their kilts, others do not.

You could check out the uniforms of some of the Emerald Society pipe bands or other Fire/Police department pipe bands to adjust the look you're going for.

**Fireboykirk** · 27th October 13, 07:03 PM

I think you nailed it John. That's pretty much the direction we are heading. I'm sure we will have to start with our current uniform and slowly add to it. Starting with the kilt, sporran, and Glengarry. The tunic or doublet will be on the bottom of the financial
list.

I believe that Rocky and his crew will be getting an order soon. Good Lord and the Fire Chief willing.

I found pipebanduniform.com Does anyone have any knowledge of their service or products?

Thank you for your suggestions,
Kirk