To draw the line.

[Spitfire]

A very intersting question was raised in the Blazer thread.
Is it or isn't it ok to wear regimental buttons, ties, suspenders etc. if you have not served in that regiment.
The question came because I have some vintage RAF buttons sewn on my blazer. They are the kings Crown WWII types. And not the resent RAF Quens Crown buttons.
I have not served in RAF - but I wear them as a tribute to the men who did back then in the battle of Britain.
Since I am not 80-85 years old - or look like it, I do not think anybody will think or believe I did.

But there is a line to be drawn here.
Where is it?

Having said that, is it OK to wear a footballjersey with a number and name on, if you've never played in NFL?
Is it ok to wear a divers watch, if you are afraid of water?
Is it ok to wear raybans - allthough you have fear of flying?

Where is the line betwen imposter and tribute?

 

[Trotsky]

I'll bite.

An impostor is what the British Forces wiki calls a "Walt" somebody who goes to length to make it obvious that they did indeed serve with the forces in some capacity.
Walt is short for "Walter Mitty", btw. It's a good description. When I wear a Regimental Tie, or my Grandpa's lapel pin, or buttons, or reenact, I do it because I see it as statement "I remember history" is a simplistic but accurate, I suppose, statement of purpose.
These items of clothing are:

A: Stylish
B: Historical
C: Deep Personal Meaning

When I badge up my M41 as my Grandpa's 5th USAAF, I do it because I like remembering him and what he did during the war. Obviously, I am not Walting. Same when I wear my RN tie.

 

["Skeet" McD]

Intention, yet again...

Just to lay the cards on the table: I've been a reenactor for 30 some odd years--although always in periods where (as Spitfire so rightly notes) the chances that I could be mistaken for a Walt are nil. It therefore comes as part of the package that I have no difficulty with kitting up as something you are not.

Context and intention are what matters here, it seems to me. There is such a thing as a true imposter...and there are others who wear uniform items either unthinkingly or unworthily. But the wearing of them, in and of themselves, is not the problem to me--except in one instance: badges of personal valor/achievement.

Speaking for myself--and intending in no way to pass judgement on those who may feel differently--I would never wear an order or decoration unless I was the original recipient or was--as part of a reenactment--portraying someone who had, specifically and publicly. On the other hand, there would be a world of difference for me between someone who was wearing a service ribbon or medal "because it was pretty/neat/whatever" and someone who was wearing a relative's medal on the anniversary of the day it was won as a personal memorial.

It's the difference in thoughts and motivations that are interesting, and I hope we'll be hearing a bunch of them. Thanks for listening to mine.

"Skeet"

 

[Spitfire]

Thank you - now just to play the devil for a short time.

Maybe this is the wrong forum for such a question, since 90-98% of the FL members are all dressing and pretending something they are not:

Living in another time. In another place. In another person even...

 

[Tomasso]

This seems to be a British thing.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

... 90-98% of the FL members are all dressing and pretending something they are not:

Living in another time. In another place. In another person even...

Very good point, Spitfire.

.

 

[Tomasso]

90-98% of the FL members are all dressing and pretending something they are not:

Living in another time. In another place. In another person even...

That's a ridiculously inaccurate estimate.




More like 70%.

 

[Spitfire]

That's a ridiculously inaccurate estimate.




More like 70%.

72,7% to be exact!

What do you mean - a british thing??? i don't get it?[huh]

 

[cecil]

I don't see anything wrong with a blazer that happens to be military and happens to have military buttons on it. Wearing war medals (that don't belong to a relative who has passed away etc) that you didn't earn, on the other hand, is not ok.

 

[Tomasso]

What do you mean - a british thing??? i don't get it?[huh]

The Brits don't appreciate their colors being worn by others. For instance: In America we use the same exact silk for our regimental ties but we reverse the angle to avoid conflict. That said, I would never wear a regimental tie, US or UK, in Britain. [huh]

 

[Spitfire]

I don't see anything wrong with a blazer that happens to be military and happens to have military buttons on it. Wearing war medals (that don't belong to a relative who has passed away etc) that you didn't earn, on the other hand, is not ok.

It's kind of strange, but to me there is a sharp line betwen wearing old WWII buttons on a blazer and wearing a Squadron Crest on the same blazer.
I would never wear a badge of a regiment, service or organisation - be it a Polo Club, Golf Club or whatever, if I was not a member or had served in that specific service or squadron.
Allthough I have a very nice - vintage - WWII RAF 85 Squadron Crest in my humble collection, I have only once been tempted to add it to my blazer. But I somehow, could not do it. Seems wrong.

 

[Ethan Bentley]

I think I'm the first British person to reply here. Walt is the correct term. Some people even apply that to people that wear army surplus gear but haven't served. I think that's a bit much.

I'll be frank; in my opinion wearing any garment with a regimental crest on as an accessory is not on. Using someone else's decoration for the same purpose is even worse.
I think the question you have to ask is, would anyone who actually belonged to that regiment, appreciate you wearing it?

I don't think the regimental/school colours on a tie (without a crest) should be an issue. As discussed here.
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=32097

Spitfire, on your last post I can see what you mean about the distinction between the buttons and the other items. I think the buttons are fine.

Reading it back this seems pretty opinionated; this is my opinion, not a personal judgement of any kind.

 

[metropd]

Thank you - now just to play the devil for a short time.

Maybe this is the wrong forum for such a question, since 90-98% of the FL members are all dressing and pretending something they are not:

Living in another time. In another place. In another person even...

I'm actually really offended by that. If I could live in any time it would be now. Simply dressing how I dress doesn't want to make me be anything from that era. I just want to do what I feel natural, confident and passionate about. I like to pursue elegance in my wardrobe as do many of us on the FL and associate that era with alot of the traits that we exemplify as elegant. THAT SIMPLE! I feel that is a generic and misinformed statement which is very personal.

 

[metropd]

Sorry if I was harsh, I am really passionate about this subject. I should borrow a sense of humor.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Another Brit,

Personally i couldn't care what people wear. But i can see where people who belong to a club - be it a regiment, a private member's club, or whatever - are coming from. You're supposed to have earned those buttons, Spitfire. (Personally i disagree with this sentiment, but i can understand why it causes problems for some who did earn them.) I can also see where people who have been in the military are coming from who say that many (most? all?) re-enactors just don't get it.

But, each to their own.

As an interesting subplot: what about A-2s, for example? Plastered with squadron patches, USAAF decals etc. Doesn't the same problem arise?

bk

I think I'm the first British person to reply here. Walt is the correct term. Some people even apply that to people that wear army surplus gear but haven't served. I think that's a bit much.

I'll be frank; in my opinion wearing any garment with a regimental crest on as an accessory is not on. Using someone else's decoration for the same purpose is even worse.
I think the question you have to ask is, would anyone who actually belonged to that regiment, appreciate you wearing it?

I don't think the regimental/school colours on a tie (without a crest) should be an issue. As discussed here.
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=32097

Spitfire, on your last post I can see what you mean about the distinction between the buttons and the other items. I think the buttons are fine.

Reading it back this seems pretty opinionated; this is my opinion, not a personal judgement of any kind.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Thank you - now just to play the devil for a short time.

Maybe this is the wrong forum for such a question, since 90-98% of the FL members are all dressing and pretending something they are not:

Living in another time. In another place. In another person even...

Hmmm, i fear you are probably overstating the numbers, but to some extent i agree. The number of "look at my hat/suit/whatever pictures that are taken inside is astounding. Honestly, guys, the light is better if you wear your stuff out of doors. lol

again, each to their own. I'm sure we have quite a few collectors around.

 

[metropd]

I would not wear any regimental garment or accessory that I was not apart of.

 

[Spitfire]

I'm actually really offended by that. If I could live in any time it would be now. Simply dressing how I dress doesn't want to make me be anything from that era. I just want to do what I feel natural, confident and passionate about. I like to pursue elegance in my wardrobe as do many of us on the FL and associate that era with alot of the traits that we exemplify as elegant. THAT SIMPLE! I feel that is a generic and misinformed statement which is very personal.

Sorry Metropd, did not mean to offend you personally - or any other members for that matter. (You always look very sharp and I admire you choice of dresses/hats etc.)
Just trying to get a debate going. Not stir things up.
There is a line to be drawn there too.

 

[Eyemo]

For me it's all about context ..If doing a photoshoot/film work that is of that period and demands accuracy ..then anything goes to make it 100%

Reenactments, public shows and events...fine as long as it's worn with respect and understanding, but I don't like the wearing of medals that haven't been earned.

Buttons on blazers, A2s vintage boots or complete suits with hats...no problem at all….
if that is what the wearer enjoys and feels comfortable in... I think a large percentage of vintage "wearers" realise the background to the item(s) they may have on...and realise it's true "historical value" (for want of a better word..!)