Sporrans and Aprons

[James MacMillan]

My Entered Apprentice degree was great, tho I was way under dressed. I was new and no one told me everyone would be tuxed up. My lodge is small and really casual for the most part, so I didn't know they would be in formal wear. For this one, my coach told me to wear just a decent shirt, no tie, and maybe a sport coat, and a pair of slacks or a kilt. So now I'm trying to figure out what to wear for this one. I was going to wear my clan tank, an argyle jacket,black vest, wing tip shirt, and black bow tie. But i guess they aren't going for formal on this one.

I have the advantage of having another Bro. going threw his FC too. I'm going first tho, so I'll be able to watch him go threw the process and catch anything that I may have missed on my turn. I'm glad my lodge is small, everything seem much more personal than what Ive heard about the larger lodges.

The tuxedos, that the Lodge Officers wear, serve two very important purposes.

First and most important it allows the Brothers present to show respect for the degree that they are exemplifying. They have worked many long hours to get every word as correct as possible. They want you to know that it is a solemn and serious process.

Second, it gives the officers a small form of distinction to show that they are part of the whole; that they are serving their Lodge by becoming officers in the first place.

It is also important to realize that they know that not everyone has a tuxedo or PC, or what-have-you. They want you to be comfortable! That is the most important part. I wasn’t there at your initiation, but I will bet every cent that I own that no one made you feel bad because you dressed the way you did. They want your mind to be free and learn from the ritual…that is the whole purpose of the degree – it is a learning experience. If you showed up in jeans and t-shirt, you would still have been accepted with open arms.

A good rule of thumb is to dress respectfully. If pressed for a choice - Wear clothes that match the clothes of the other, non-officers in attendance. By all means ask your coach or mentor what you should wear, but I feel very confident that he will say much the same thing as you are now reading.

Every Lodge is different and the same equally. Some Lodges adopt a different “uniform” for their degrees. I have seen Lodges in Hawaii and the South Pacific where every officer was in the same print of loose fitting tropical “Hawaiian” shirts. I have also seen Lodges where everyone was in grey slacks and blue blazers.

During your degrees, casual, “business” attire will serve you well.

Do not feel embarrassed about what you wore to your initiation! We care about the internal, not the external aspects.

[keepoffgrass]

The tuxedos, that the Lodge Officers wear, serve two very important purposes.

First and most important it allows the Brothers present to show respect for the degree that they are exemplifying. They have worked many long hours to get every word as correct as possible. They want you to know that it is a solemn and serious process.

Second, it gives the officers a small form of distinction to show that they are part of the whole; that they are serving their Lodge by becoming officers in the first place.

It is also important to realize that they know that not everyone has a tuxedo or PC, or what-have-you. They want you to be comfortable! That is the most important part. I wasn’t there at your initiation, but I will bet every cent that I own that no one made you feel bad because you dressed the way you did. They want your mind to be free and learn from the ritual…that is the whole purpose of the degree – it is a learning experience. If you showed up in jeans and t-shirt, you would still have been accepted with open arms.

A good rule of thumb is to dress respectfully. If pressed for a choice - Wear clothes that match the clothes of the other, non-officers in attendance. By all means ask your coach or mentor what you should wear, but I feel very confident that he will say much the same thing as you are now reading.

Every Lodge is different and the same equally. Some Lodges adopt a different “uniform” for their degrees. I have seen Lodges in Hawaii and the South Pacific where every officer was in the same print of loose fitting tropical “Hawaiian” shirts. I have also seen Lodges where everyone was in grey slacks and blue blazers.

During your degrees, casual, “business” attire will serve you well.

Do not feel embarrassed about what you wore to your initiation! We care about the internal, not the external aspects.

Thanks Brother. That was definately the way it was. I didnt feel embarrassed or anything, just a bit out of place compaired to the rest of them. I talked to my coach, and he just said, nice shirt, no tie, slacks or a kilt, and a sport jacket if I like. So thats what I'll do. I work a kilt to lodge for my first actual lodge meeting, I'll wear one on Wednesday for my degree.

Thanks Brotheres for all the advise! Most likely I'll slide my sporran to the side when kilted at lodge

[Galician]

I am not a Mason, but just wanted to say welcome back. Did you have your wedding yet?

[keepoffgrass]

I am not a Mason, but just wanted to say welcome back. Did you have your wedding yet?

Thanks! not yet, were shooting for Feb 1st

[emolas]

The more posts I see about Masons, the more I think about joining. I really respect the community service and charitable work they do but I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to commit enough time to it.