Ratcatcher (Informal) Attire for Aiken Hounds
- Coat: Tweed or wool hacking jacket in muted color
- Gloves: Black or brown leather or string gloves. (White is not correct)
- Breeches: Buff, tan, gray, or rust
- Hat: Plain ASTM approved black, brown, gray, or blue velvet helmet with chin strap, ribbon up
- Shirt: Ratcatcher or other light-colored shirt. Plain or patterned muted color stock tie or man’s necktie. White stock ties are not correct. Neckbands appropriate for ladies.
- Boots: Brown or black dress boots or brown field boots. Three buckle brown field boots, Newmarket boots, and rubber boots are also acceptable. (Boots with tops, brown or patent leather, are not appropriate.)
- Spurs: Regular hunting spurs with no rowels
- Crop: Regulation hunting whip. Thong or lash may be removed during cubhunting.
Aiken Hounds Modifications because of Unseasonable Weather
- Shirts and Ties: Tan/khaki long sleeve collar shirt with men’s green/gold rep tie
- Polo Shirts: Any polo shirt except green
Formal Attire for Ladies
| Members with Colors | Members without Colors | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Coat: Frock or hunting coat of black or dark blue with black hunt buttons and a chamois collar | Frock or hunting coat of black or dark blue with plain black buttons | A frock coat should have three buttons in front and two on back. Hunting coats have three buttons on front. Both should have two buttons on sleeve. |
| Gloves: Brown, dark or lighter shades such as wash, tan or buff, leather | Brown, dark or lighter shades such as wash, tan or buff, leather | |
| Breeches: Buff, tan, or canary cord or synthetic stretch twill | Buff, tan, or canary cord or synthetic stretch twill | |
| Hat: Black or dark blue velvet with chin strap. ASTM approved | Black or dark blue velvet with chin strap. ASTM approved | AH does not approve of Bowlers or Top Hats in the field |
| Neckwear: Plain white stock neatly tied and fastened with a plain, horizontal stock pin. | Plain white stock neatly tied and fastened with a plain, horizontal stock pin. | Ends should be pinned down to remain tidy. |
| Vest: Canary or tattersall | Canary or tattersall | |
| Boots: Black hunting (dress) boots (without laces). Patent tops are appropriate especially with frock coat. | Black hunting (dress) boots (without laces) | With patent tops, tabs are sewn on but not down. |
| Spurs: Regular hunting spurs with moderately short neck and no rowels | Regular hunting spurs with moderately short neck and no rowels | Spurs should be set high on boot just below the ankle and spur arms parallel to the ground. Buckle on top of the boot with free end of spur strap on the outside of the boot. |
| Crop: Light hunting whip with lash, smaller shaft than a gentlemen’s whip | ||
| Hair: Should be neatly confined. Hair nets are advisable and correct | Should be neatly confined. Hair nets are advisable and correct |
Formal Attire for Men
| Members with Colors | Members without Colors | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coat: | Pinque coat with brass hunt buttons and a chamois collar | Frock or hunting coat of black or dark blue with plain black buttons | A frock coat should have three buttons in front and two on back. Hunting coats have three buttons on front. Both should have two buttons on sleeve. |
| Gloves: | Brown, lighter shades such as wash, tan or buff, leather | Brown, dark or lighter shades such as wash, tan or buff, leather | |
| Breeches: | White cord or synthetic stretch twill | Buff or tan cord or synthetic stretch twill | |
| Hat: | Black velvet with chin strap. ASTM approved | Black velvet with chin strap. ASTM approved | AH does not approve of Bowlers or Top Hats in the field |
| Neckwear: | Plain white stock neatly tied and fastened with a plain, horizontal stock pin. | Plain white stock neatly tied and fastened with a plain, horizontal stock pin. | Ends should be pinned down to remain tidy. |
| Vest: | Canary or tattersall | Canary or tattersall | |
| Boots: | Black hunting (dress) boots (without laces) with brown tops. | Black hunting (dress) boots (without laces) | White or brown boot garters (to match breeches) may be worn. |
| Spurs: | Regular hunting spurs with moderately short neck and no rowels | Regular hunting spurs with moderately short neck and no rowels | Spurs should be set high on boot just below the ankle and spur arms parallel to the ground. Buckle on top of the boot with free end of spur strap on the outside of the boot. |
| Crop: | Traditional hunting whip with lash | ||
| Accessories: | Bayonet Flask permitted | Bayonet Flask permitted |
For Evening Occasions When White Tie is Appropriate (Invitations usually say “Scarlet, if convenient”)
| Coat: | Men’s tail coat of Red material, green facings and a chamois collar, brass Aiken Hounds buttons. |
| Waistcoat: | White pique or similar |
| Shirt: | White pleated or plain front with wing collar |
| Studs and Links: | Foxhead or plain |
| Trousers: | Black formal trousers with satin ribbon on leg |
| Shoes: | Patent formal |