The Fine Arts: Boys' Band Costumes


Figure 1.--Scottish and Irish bands also have drum units. Like the pipe bands, they also wear kilts. These younger Scottish boys are practicing. For some reason they appear tyo be wearing tights with their kneesocks. Notice the one boy wearing sandals. The sandals suggest that this is an older photograph, probably the 1960s.

There are also Scottish and Irish pipe bands. These bands, except for the school ones, include both men and boys. A few in recent years have added girls. They give great attention to the uniform, and like the pipe bands often wear kilts.

Age

Younger Boys

Scottish pipe an drum bands can be quite large units. Some might contain contingents including boys of various ages. The pipe is a very difficult instrument to play. Thus the younger boys are usually orgnized into drum units. Often the yonger boys wear simple uniforms. The boys here wear Glengary casps and kilts but only simple white shirts. Although difficult to see, each boy is wearing a sporan. As boys so quickly out grow their clothes, many groups keep the out fits for the younger boys as simple as possible. This group does not appear to have standard footwear, notice the one boy wearing sandals. Curiosly these boys appear to be wearing tights under their kneesocks. This would have been very unusual in Scotland, especilly bcause the short-sleeved shirts suggest it is not cold.

Older Boys

Older boys would likely have more complicated uniforms. Older boys might also begin tyo kearn the bafpines, beginning about 10--although they might not befin to plau in the band until 12 or 13 yearsof age.





Christopher Wagner

histclo@lycosmail.com







Related Chronolgy Pages in the Boys' Historical Web Site
[Main Chronology Page]
[The 1880s] [The 1930s] [The 1940s] [The 1950s]
[The 1960s] [The 1970s] [The 1980s]



Navigate the Historic Boys' Clothing Web style pages:
[Kilts] [Caps] [Sailor suits] [Sailor hats] [School uniform [Scout



Created: January 20, 2000
Last updated: January 20, 2000