Who wears the pants in your Highland hoose?

Hello Style Guy:

My question is around kilt rosettes. When is it proper for a civilian to wear one (or two). If you are a current or past P-M or P-S is it then acceptable? Also, do you have any idea who can make these or if there is a pattern or instruction available anywhere on the Internet?

Jim

Thanks, Rosie Jim. What a coinkeedink – I also was pondering kilt rosettes just the other day. Rosettes – these kilt ribbons that seemingly originated in the British military with Queen Victoria’s whimsical tartan-obsessed court – had an inexplicable resurgence of popularity in the 1970s. It seemed back then that everyone was wearing them, parading around like award-winning fair cattle. Most strange and very much overdone.

Today, kilt rosettes are a rarity in the civilian ranks. But that’s not say they can’t return. They are indeed available, mostly from the folks who make similar piping peripherals like banners, silk cords and odds and ends that first world countries can’t be bothered to make any more. Yes, you will find kilt rosettes from your favourite Pakistani suppliers and, before you laugh, these places are actually very good at making such items and, in fact, many of the goods that you buy from dealers in the western world are actually made in Pakistan.

And here ends another installment of The Style Guy. Are you at a loss when it comes to some aspect of Highland wear? The Style Guy will have the answer. Just send him a message, and, unless it’s totally inane, The Style Guy will set you straight in his next roundup of responses.