Alexis Malcolm Question

[Miah]

This is one of the few domestic Kilt makers i have found that have the USMC Leatherneck Tartan in stock or atleast order it and make kilts with it normaly.
The photographs on the page seem good but now that i have a kilt of my own i know allot more of what to look for and exactly what i want. I called and spoke the makers husband and he told me they are a traditional cut " high wasted" and for what he knew he made a good impresion.( i would expect nothing less) I really want a Marine Corps Tartan Kilt but i don't want to pay $350 for it and it not be good quality.
Anybody know about the quality of this maker or have seen any of the work?

[bubba]

I don't know first hand, but I've heard good things about them.

[GMan]

Miah,

I like Bubba have heard good things by way of someone else who has heard good things. Sorry I could not give you any more information.

[Hamish]

I am a little confused by this one. Firstly, I have to admit that (perhaps being British) I have not heard of the Leatherneck tartan, nor of the Leathernecks come to that.

Secondly, I see no tartan to speak of in those photos. The superb-looking kilts appear to be of a plain blue fabric - which is not tartan!

Have I missed something? I should love to have a kilt in that colour though. Very smart! 8) 8)

[Doc Hudson]

If you can be patient, I should get a chance to examin a Confederate Memorial Tartan at the end of September. A friend has ordered one to wear to the CSA Rendevous in Athens,Texas.

[Miah]

Hamish here are a few pictures from the web sight
the link in my signature is from the Marine Corps Pipe Band and the Kilts they wear are a take off the Marine Dress Blue Trouser the Red stripe down the side is called a Blood stripe
it is only worn by NCO (Non-Commissioned Officers) and Officers.(look at bottom picture to see the trouser leg.)


is what the tartan looks like
the tartan is registered and is refered to as
"Leatherneck, US Marine" most places i have seen it. It is one of the American Military Tartans so it is not a traditional one from the view of being a clan or something.
Leatherneck is the Nick name Given to US Marines for the stiff leather collars that were worn during the early days.
here is a picture of the tartan in the shape of a Kilt

and here is the same tartan pleated to the stripe

The home sight is
http://www.alexismalcolmkilts.bigstep.com/homepage.html

[macwilkin]

Hamish,

"Leatherneck" is the nickname for the US Marine Corps. It comes from the early 19th century, when the marines (and for that matter, other branches of the forces) wore high leather neck stocks to prevent sword blows to the neck. The "Leatherneck" tartan is named for this.

There is a US Marine Corps Association Pipe Band that wears a solid blue kilt as you described -- see:

http://www.leatherneckpipeband.com/

and

http://www.marinepipers.com/

There is a nice story from the USMC magazine about piping in the Marines on the second site.

Also, Don McKee's site has some USMC cap badges for bonnets and belt buckles:

http://www.scottishregalia.com/


I believe the Scottish Lion has Leatherneck tartan:

http://www.scottishlion.com

Cheers,

T.

[Miah]

OOH thanks for the link to the caps and badges sight that kilt pin is NICE!
I have been looking for something of that sort or a miniture Marine NCO sword for a kilt pin

[macwilkin]

Thought you'd like that one...I have one of the USMC cap badges in my collection...if I remember correctly, he got into some trouble over that with the Corps.

My bonnet's off to the Marines for realising the powerful totem and talisman that the Tartan, kilts, the pipes, etc. are to warriors.

T.

[Miah]

I have seen it and it is more of the Officers style .
and I was enlisted, Enlisted wore all brass no silver
and allot of the things are not "suposed" to be worn outside of the uniform. and we marines tend to take the EGA
(Eagle Globe And Anchor) fairly serious and don't like it to be worn in a maner that may disrespect it. Not that wearing with a kilt is bad but change is hard to handle.