What “pretentious attire?” The cape / chapeau is only for the 4th Degree, not for members, who are the vast majority, in the first three Degrees. I’m a 3rd Degree Knight, have been for years, and have never worn anything but regular street clothes.I understand that the Knights do good work. I know more than a few, but I am not one myself. If one of the reasons for this change in the attire is to attract younger people then I think that this move is a step in the right direction. However, the work that the Knights do also seems to be fitting for “fat old men”, not just the old attire.
One of the reasons I didn’t initially join the Knights was the attire; I found it to be pretentious. Then when I got to know more about what the Knights do, I found the attire to be even more pretentious. It’s definitely not for me.
Yes, as a fellow 3rd degree knight, most of us don’t have the fancy capes. Also, if one really knows more about the Knights of Columbus, then they will know that we are not pretentious men. Although we are not perfect, we are men who strive to grow in Faith in our fraternity, who strive to love in our acts of charity and community, and who strive to protect our family in our top rated life insurance program should the worse happen to us.What “pretentious attire?” The cape / chapeau is only for the 4th Degree, not for members, who are the vast majority, in the first three Degrees. I’m a 3rd Degree Knight, have been for years, and have never worn anything but regular street clothes.
Yes, very good, the attire which is the subject of this thread. I got a chuckle out of, “What ‘pretentious attire’?” … “you mean this cape…this plumed chapeau, or is it my sword?”What “pretentious attire?” The cape / chapeau is only for the 4th Degree, not for members, who are the vast majority, in the first three Degrees. I’m a 3rd Degree Knight, have been for years, and have never worn anything but regular street clothes.
Yeah, but now it will be "you mean my blaser, beret, and my cigar. My good man, is it good form to tie my sweater in the front while carrying s tennis racquet with no court in sight?Yes, very good, the attire which is the subject of this thread. I got a chuckle out of, “What ‘pretentious attire’?” … “you mean this cape…this plumed chapeau, or is it my sword?”
While that is true, I think many people see the Color Corps as the “public face” of the Knights. For someone from the outside, the ostrich plumes and capes may be the only thing they identify with the KofC. If the only Knights you can readily identify are always in tux, cape, and ostrich plumed hats then it’s easy for many to see the organization as a whole as a bit pretentious.What “pretentious attire?” The cape / chapeau is only for the 4th Degree, not for members, who are the vast majority, in the first three Degrees. I’m a 3rd Degree Knight, have been for years, and have never worn anything but regular street clothes.
There are lots of groups for Catholics that only attract the same few, devout, religiously active in that area. I would see the same faces over and over at various kinds of renewal activities. They were very religious even before they ever went to the renewal groups.Yes, as a fellow 3rd degree knight, most of us don’t have the fancy capes. Also, if one really knows more about the Knights of Columbus, then they will know that we are not pretentious men. Although we are not perfect, we are men who strive to grow in Faith in our fraternity, who strive to love in our acts of charity and community, and who strive to protect our family in our top rated life insurance program should the worse happen to us.
While not a fan, I’m sure my 4-year-old son will love it. He’ll say daddy no need hat anymore and he should get and play with.I don’t know if the Knights will like the new uniforms or not, but if the change occurs, I suspect that their kids and grandkids will be disappointed.
It is likely that when the older regalia was selected, there were other fraternal or other kinds of groups in parades, or serving as honor guards. Those other groups perhaps wore outfits that were similar to this. I think the idea was that in the early 1900s Catholics felt the need to provide something comparable for our own members.I literally just got the email from the Supreme Knight detailing the change, along with some better photos of the new uniform actually being worn. It does look a bit less “goofy” seeing it actually on an actual human being.
Also, someone asked about swords, and the email specifically says that they are not getting rid of the sword.
I appreciate very much these thoughtful comments. Thank you for posting them.After 15 years as an active 3rd Degree member I am probably going to join the 4th now. I have spoken with a couple of friends who feel the same way. The old regalia was just too fancy and expensive for us blue collar working guys. I like the change. The simpler uniform can probably be used more often so the Order will be more visible. The old regalia was only worn when the bishop came to town or a brother Knight passed away.
We are expanding into other countries and the 1940s American regalia might be too out of place or expensive for those Brother Knights. We need to consider that we are now international.
I almost joined the 4th last year and was going to put off getting the regalia for later, but then found that for the ceremony and the celebration afterward I was expected to get a tux and my wife needed an evening gown to attend. We are simple folk. I have never worn a tux.
The old regalia had a long, proud history and the Sir Knights can be proud of how they represented the Order. But it’s time to move on. I am very glad that I joined the Knights of Columbus. As a member I have been given many opportunities to do charitable works for my Church and community working with many fine Catholic brothers.
BTW,The goofy comment wasn;t directed in any way at the old regalia, which does look fairly classy and cool… I was referring to the first shot of the new regalia displayed on a mannequin, where to me it did look silly. But seeing a bunch of Fourth-Degree Knights in it in a photo at the convention, it looked much more like a group of veterans (like the VFW or American Legion) than some twee prep-school kid.It is likely that when the older regalia was selected, there were other fraternal or other kinds of groups in parades, or serving as honor guards. Those other groups perhaps wore outfits that were similar to this. I think the idea was that in the early 1900s Catholics felt the need to provide something comparable for our own members.
That isn’t really good PR for the knights. “A select few made the decision”kofc.org/en/news/releases/new-fourth-degree-uniform-faq.html
The following FAQ should answer many of the questions that have arisen concerning this change.
Q: Will the new uniform allow the use of ceremonial swords?
A: Yes. Ceremonial swords will continue to be part of the Fourth Degree. When swords are used, gloves should also be used. (see picture above).
Q: How will rank be distinguished?
A: Colored patches will be worn on the beret behind the Fourth Degree emblem as follows:
Dark Blue Supreme Master
Light Blue Vice Supreme Masters
Gold District Masters
White Faithful Navigators
Green District Marshals
Purple Color Corp Commanders
Those not holding office (who formerly wore red capes) will wear berets with no patch.
Q: Will there be discounts offered on the new uniform?
A: Yes. The Order will subsidize the new uniform with a 25 percent discount offered to all members who order the new uniform prior to Sept. 30, 2017.
Q: What if a member just purchased the old regalia?
A: Any member who purchased the old regalia after May 1, 2017, can submit their receipt along with their member number to regaliacredit@kofc.org. Information will then be sent to that member on how to receive a $200 credit toward the new uniform.
Q: Is the Order making money on the new uniform?
A: No, the uniform is being sold at (or sometimes below) our cost.
Q: Was the new uniform field tested prior to its release?
A: Yes. The new uniform was field tested by Fourth Degree members attending the Warriors to Lourdes pilgrimage.
Q: Can the old regalia still be worn?
A: Yes, for a time. While the preference is for the new uniform wherever possible, the old regalia can still be worn until the end of the current fraternal year (June 30, 2018). After that date, only the new uniform should be worn.
Q: Who made this decision?
A: The board of directors made this decision earlier this year after a three year period of testing and discussion. In addition, changing the uniform/regalia was previously discussed with the vice supreme masters at the Supreme Assembly.
Q: Did members have (name removed by moderator)ut on this?
A: For years, supreme officers and directors have received comments from members and prospective members that the old regalia was a barrier to membership overall, or to membership in the Fourth Degree.
Q: In what context should this change best be understood?
A: During the convention, the Good of the Order Committee stated: “We commend all of the faithful Sir Knights who have proudly worn the Fourth Degree regalia, bringing much respect to the Order. With the new Fourth Degree uniform, recently approved by the Board of Directors, this honor and respect associated with Sir Knights will remain, and it will open the door more widely for a new generation to join their ranks. In a spirit of unity, let us assist with a smooth transition to this new uniform and encourage it to be worn with great dignity and pride.”