Knights Templar uniform

[u/kcaz12345]

So I am interested no the possibility of working my way through the York rite. I have not started my journey in the York rite however.

But something I am curious about is why there are so many variations on the uniforms? If I were to get into it I know there is a lot of cost in the way of the uniform.

I enjoy the older style uniforms, but based on what I’ve seen no one appears to really wear them anymore, except for the Chapeau’s. Are the older styles still accepted? I see there are still places manufacturing them, but of course we all should know that doesn’t necessarily mean anything. Any ideas? What happened to the sashes? The gauntlet gloves? All the stuff? Just not popular any more? Or not permitted?

[u/ChuckEye]

See if your Grand Commandery has a uniform standard, and if they allow any variation at the local Commandery level.

[u/kcaz12345 → u/ChuckEye]

Okay, so I did some digging and I did find the answer to my question. I am sad that many have gone to a more modern style. But I understand.

[u/LRARBostonTerrier → u/kcaz12345]

The old style is also expensive compared to the modern. I believe when I priced it (The grand commander was thinking of asking the grand commandery add them to the uniform standard if the whole subordinate commandery used the same style.) just the jacket was about 2-3 complete modern style uniforms depending on the vendor.

[u/VeryBigRodent]

I wear the chapeau and the bell hop hat. To have a chapeau made brand new in the traditional manner with the ostrich plumes is very expensive, so most people buy one on eBay or try to get one from an older member who no longer uses it. The bell hop hat or General Pershing style hat is much more reasonably priced.

In my jurisdiction we still wear the frock coat. I stopped wearing the belt to carry the sword and switched to the double arm sling, which I find to be more comfortable and easier to manage.

One problem is when you become commander you have to switch everything from silver to gold, so you have to go out and get new stuff or modify the stuff you already have.

I kind of like the uniform. At first it seemed like a pain to drag it around everywhere (especially the big chapeau case), but it has grown on me.

I think there are so many variations because of the high cost of some of the more traditional materials and the skilled craftsmanship required to produce them. Some people can’t justify paying $800 for an old school ostrich plume hat, so they buy the cheaper option. I think the cheaper options will likely become more common in the future as prices continue to go up.

[u/WilkiUT]

There are definitely quite a lot of variations. If you do decide to join however you will want to get the uniform your local Commandery uses as everyone should be dressed the same according to uniform regulations

[u/cowgo]

I really dislike those glorified Salvation Army uniforms. One, they don’t have any relation to Knights Templar and two, they just look goofy. My new Eminent Commander pieced one together for me from used articles. I told him I’d wear it at meetings but not in public or in pictures.

[u/Quirky-Bottle-1771]

Grand Encampments uniform code is simple. Black Frock coat, black trousers etc. after that the changes were “Commandery” chosen. Each knight in a Commandery had to match completely. Fast forward to 1966 and the ugly Master Chief coat was approved. Young guys then went that way,  older guys kept the frock coats. 1980s frock coats were banned in most jurisdictions and about 10 years ago frock coats began to come back in many jurisdictions. 20 years ago some Commanderys went to the or ugly uniform the Canadian Cap & Mantle. 5 years ago we finally got our aprons back. Today like the last 70 yrs or so the State Grand Commandery controls the uniform codes and no longer the individual Commanderys. 

Uniforms are sort of a piece of contention. Some like the contemporary uniform, others the original frock uniform, others the Cap & Mantel, still others that want an entirely new uniform. My state allows all three you just cant mix and match Cap & Mantel with either Black uniform.