Is it true that scarlett for non-staff gentlemen members with colors is going “out”? I guess that would mean hunts are changing their attire rules?
Also, when a ball invitation says “scarlett if convenient” is that addressed to only those who are entitled to wear scarlett in the field, or to all gentlemen members?
If you have been granted colors, you can usually wear scarlet at the hunt balls. Part of the fun is see all the different collars and facings and buttons that gentlemen are sporting. It also helps us know who is a guest from what hunt. Enjoy!
Some of the politically correct hunts…oh, excuse me, chases (hunt sounds so violent and paternalistic) are running like pansies away from pink…Ooooo, it’s so violent and the hunt sabs and hand wavers think it’s much too aggressive. Nice friendly colors are more sensitive and eco-friendly. Red is violent!
If you hear “fox chase” vs. “fox hunt”…run away. People without the courage of their convictions are not worth associating with.
The only hunt that I know of in Virginia (and I’m not familiar with all) that has “scarlet for staff only” is Orange County. Actually I think Orange County is actually no colors in the field at all, even collars, except for the staff.
Personally, and I have my colors and am not staff, I would prefer “staff only in scarlet” in the field. When I first started hunting and asked about the meaning of colors, I was told it was an indicator of a member that could step in and assume staff duties, if needed. I don’t think that is true anymore. I don’t know how true it ever was but that was the view of some real old timers.
I was told (way back when, and today, too) that colors signify that a member ofa given hunt can assist a guest in any way needed – help fiinding their way home if they lose a shoe or something, help getting a gate, help with minor staff duties, etc. It signifies a working knowledge of the territory, club, sport, game, hounds, etc.
I think colors are given regularly to those who put in their time (and $, in some cases) but are not hunting all that often nor are the most competent horsemen nor have knowledge of the country (no offense intended, in the least.) This is just how it goes. I have no problem with it.
Well, Hunter’s Rest, you are very tied-in to the VA. hunting scene. Would you say that most hunts there have the gentlemen with colors in scarlett, or not?
I have to admit I’d like to wear scarlett to the hunt ball even tho I can’t in the field. I’d rather spend the money on scarlett with tails than a mundane tuxedo.
What’s funny about that is that technically, gentlemen shouldn’t be wearing tuxedos.
A formal ball is a white tie event. Gentlemen with colors wear scarlet (if that is what is customary for your hunt club), and gentlemen without colors wear tails (black tailcoat) and a white tie.
In white tie event, (such as a formal ball), servicemembers have a specific uniform, hunt club members with colors wear their scarlet tailcoat, and gentlemen wear tails, white tie, etc.
No, I am not Emily Post. But I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.
(seriously, this stuff was beaten into my head as a child - I even know what a Black and White Ball is. Then I grew up and my family was horrified to discover I prefer to wear Carhartts and dairy boots. I think an aunt or two got a case of the vapors…)
So wanabe, if you would like to dress for the hunt ball, but scarlet is not appropriate for you, consider dressing as a gentleman should for a white tie event. I bet you would look quite handsome.
eta: I’m assuming that your hunt ball is truly a formal event, and not semi-formal or black tie. For a black tie event a tuxedo would be appropriate, though it is better to be overdressed than underdressed. Oh my God I sound like my mother…
Yeah, we are not formal. I guess a tuxedo would be most correct. However, I’d probably get compliments for over-dressing. I have no desire to purchase regular tails, but scarlet ones, I could see. 
JSwan, I love your answer. Actually, the formality and rules associated with the world of hunting is one of the things that appeals to me. In a world where the teller at my bank calls me by my first name, just because it’s there on his computer screen, I really like to know that there is a place where rules still exist…I guess I’m just terminally old fashioned.
I was invited to an afternoon wdding last summer…black tie optional…as Miss Manners has said, my husband “opted” to not wear black tie 
By the way, wanabe, I saw scarlet cutaway/tail coat, an antique, on eBay.
Thanks. It still isn’t clear to me if I can wear scarlet tails as a member, tho. (Yes, I know I can ask the secretary, but I am trying to find out if this is done elsewhere so I can plead my case if necessary.)
No. You. Can. Not. Absolutely positively not. Scarlet tails are for gentlemen with colors.
Re: gents in the hunt field wearing their pink coats, or not – some do, some don’t. I’d imagine most gents have but a single pink coat, and its probably their heavyweight, so they only get so many opportunities to wear them. Here in Va. seems like they come out on high holy days (opening meet, T’giving Saturday, boxing day, New Year’s, etc.) but not always other times, unless, naturally, its reallllly cold.
I know my own coat with colors is my heavyweight, so I opt for something else when its not cold, but I favor my formal coat with colors, even on a ratcatcher day (ours are Thursdays) if its cold.
Note: visitors to hunts in Va. are not necessarily invited to wear their colors if capping with another hunt. You’d be wise to ask.
When hunting with other hunts, I wear colors only if it is a joint meet (we bring our hounds), or if the MFH from the host hunt has said “colors, if appropriate”. I’ve been surprised to see members of other hunts come out in colors when they are either capping in, or their hunt is visiting without hounds. A former master actually borrowed a coat of mine so that they would be able to go to a meet without colors.
I’d never dare to ask.
When capping I just wear a different coat and boots. No biggie.
I don’t know the territory or hounds anyway, so why wear a piece of cloth that signifies I do?
I guess in this case it’s the female that has it easy in terms of dress. For hunting, Plain Jane. For the Hunt Ball, long dress. QED.
[QUOTE=Hunter’s Rest;5200401]
No. You. Can. Not. Absolutely positively not. Scarlet tails are for gentlemen with colors.[/QUOTE]
I have my colors, but only staff are allowed to wear scarlet in the field. The issue is whether I can wear scarlet tails at the ball.
According to the write-up for your hunt, assuming its longacre, you do not have an option to wear scarlet in the evening. You could politely and discretely ask the secretary.
Sounds like the answer is “it depends on your hunt and it’s rules.” There are general guidelines - in our hunt, as in many others, gentelmen with colors may wear scarlet to the Hunt Ball if it’s formal. But some hunts may have more restrictive rules about the wearing of colors and what is appropriate at a Hunt Ball. The only correct answer is going to come from your own Master or published rules of each particular hunt.
I guess I’ll just have to ask our secretary!
Ahh. Sorry. I missed that memo, Wanabe.
I dunno. I’d’a thought yes, you certainly can wear scarlet tails for evening - that seems weird that ‘only staff’ would wear scarlet (our staff barely comes to that sort of thing anyway.) I’d venture yes, but I’m afraid you’ll have to ask!
Let us know - post pix!!!
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