PC jacket: formal wear & head gear

**fortcollinsjerry** · 1st October 13, 09:04 AM

As a former Marine and retired US Army NCO I have a rack of awards and decorations evidence of a 26 year career. Last November I wore a minature set on my kilt jacket to the Marine Ball. This year I'm searching for a PC outfit and am curious how to correctly pin on the set of medals. Ordinarily they set just above the left breast pocket but the PC doesn't have that. Is there a "standard" expected if I should wear them to a formal affair in Scotland (military or civilian).

Also, which head gear is proper. Marines remove head gear indoors but must always be covered outside. How do Scot veterans handle this minor detail?

**Scout** · 1st October 13, 09:51 AM

Wearing miniature medals on civilian formal wear (to include Prince Charlies) has been discussed at length and you'll find several threads with the "search" function.

The services each have their guidelines too. I wear my miniatures on my left lapel with the same placement I would use for a uniform mess jacket.

I've always believed a basic formalwear guideline was not to wear any headgear indoors.

Hope that helps!

**Jock Scot** · 3rd October 13, 03:52 AM

Remember that you are wearing civilian attire to this event, so headwear is not a prerequisite. Most Scots would go bare headed to the kind of formal evening event you are talking about. However severe weather trumps fashion every time, so any kind of bonnet that you can lay your hands on------appart from flat caps and baseball hats

-------- to do the job of keeping out the weather applies here. As you say, no headwear for the guests inside. For me and many of us in this "weather" situation an umbrella(plain black, NOT one of those multi coloured logo-ed things) is the perfect solution, particularly if you have a lady at your side.

**Chas** · 3rd October 13, 11:16 AM

In the UK, we don't have ribbon only awards. All of ours have a medal attached. On formal occasions (when asked for), the miniatures are worn centrally on the left lapel, slightly higher than the breast pocket.

It might be an idea to have a new medal bar made with miniatures in chronological order, just to wear with your kilt.

**Steve Ashton** · 3rd October 13, 01:37 PM

As another former Marine who also served in the Army I can understand your dilemma.

As you are not in uniform, the uniform headgear Regs. don't apply. You are wearing civilian clothing in a formal setting.

IAW USMC and USA uniform regulations you are allowed to display your awards when it is appropriate. The Marine Corp Ball is certainly one of those times.

With the Prince Charlie Coatee miniature medals are what are properly worn. They are worn in a way to closely simulate how they would be worn on the uniform. Either the left lapel or on the jacket itself just above where the pocket would be.

Here is an example: The invitation to this event stated "Black Tie with ribbons and medals."

If I were to ever have an opportunity to attend another Birthday Ball I would change this outfit slightly.
I would not wear the Ghillie Brouges. This photo is the one and only time I've worn mine.

I would also wear my USMC Dress Blue Tartan Kilt.

**fortcollinsjerry** · 3rd October 13, 02:40 PM

LOVE the K-Bar touch. So correct for a Corps gathering. I just have to have one! The one I'm using now is my own hand made with antler scale. Nice but not the character of the K-Bar

.

**Tony** · 4th October 13, 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Most Scots would go bare headed to the kind of formal evening event you are talking about. However severe weather trumps fashion every time, so any kind of bonnet that you can lay your hands on------appart from flat caps and baseball hats

-------- to do the job of keeping out the weather applies here.

pith helmets are assumed OK......

**Steve Ashton** · 4th October 13, 12:41 PM

Duh, yea!

**Gor** · 8th October 13, 05:35 PM

First and foremost, Semper Fi. Second, I'd love to know where you found that Dress Blue tartan. I have a wedding to attend in the not-too-distant future and I'd dearly love to wear a kilt in that tartan. Third, that is the greatest Sgian Dubh ever. Where do you find this stuff?

I know I'm asking a lot of questions, and I hope I'm not asking too much.

**Steve Ashton** · 8th October 13, 08:54 PM

I documented the design and weaving of this Tartan and the construction of what I believe is the world's first Hand-Sewn full Traditional kilt "With Pockets" in this thread.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=74580

I currently have enough fabric in 16oz Wool in my shop, for two kilts, ready to ship.