Gold's Dragoons Parade Uniform

Members in good standing may order the Gold's Dragoons parade uniform which is a re-activation of the exact red jacket worn by Gold's Dragoons troopers in the 1930s. It can be worn at regimental dinners in place of mess dress. The uniform is ordered from the regimental tailor giving required measurement graphic, which is available on request, but those members who have received their mess dress may request that the same measurements be used. Modelled on the right by Deputy Chaplain Sandy Sears, with his personal crosses on the collar. Members have the "G.D." on the right collar only and wear the gold 2/Lt bar on the left side, each one inch in from the front edge. The chains may be sewn on or attached by small hooks, per the illustration.

The jacket, which costs $192 plus delivery changes of roughly $42, arrives with plain buttons that need to be replaced by Federal Eagle buttons offered by C&C Sutlery of Emmett, Idaho. You need eight large buttons (for the jacket front) eight medium buttons (three each side for the cuffs and two back buttons) and two small ones for the cap buttons. Total button cost is less than $30 plus $20 delivery charge. The link to order is:
 https://www.ccsutlery.com/store/ccsutlery.html

A Sam Browne belt is needed to wear on parade, but never worn in the mess. It is worn over the trews and the uniform jacket, so order a size 2 inches more than normal. The official supplier is  Uniform Store London and the order is for a black Sam Browne with brass (gold colored) fittings. The cost is around $70, including delivery, and should be ordered directly from them at the link:
https://uniformstorelondon.com/sam-brown-belt-black-with-gold-fitting-r240-1322-p.asp

Finally, a hat has been approved for wear for both the parade uniform and the mess dress. Order from the regimental tailor giving American hat size and the cost is $46 plus $42 delivery. Those who buy the hat will need a mess dress collar dog that acts as the hat cap badge. Measure the hole location equidistant between the red piping and insert the smallest Phillips screwdriver for each hole - it will need some effort as the hat band is not natural material. Push in the mess dress collar dog and use a small deposit of Gorilla glue behind the badge to keep it in place or bend the pins inwardly.
For the hat buttons open the felt insert and find two wires that go through the hole and the disposable button. Straighten the wires and thread it out and replace with the Eagle design button. Push wires back through the hole and pull tight with pliers. Fold flat and hold down the ends with tape.

SANDY WEARS THE PARADE UNIFORM WITHOUT THE SAM BROWNE BELT, WHICH IS ONLY WORN ON PARADE

CORRECT POSITIONING OF SHOULDER CHAINS, WHICH CAN BE SEWN ON OR ATTACHED BY HOOKS

FORMAL HAT FOR THE PARADE UNIFORM OR MESS DRESS. TWO EAGLE BUTTONS ARE NEEDED FOR THE CHINSTRAP AND A MESS DRESS COLLAR DOG AS A CAP BADGE

THE CORRECT SAM BROWNE IS BLACK, WITH GOLD FITTINGS. ORDER IT 2 INCHES LARGER THAN YOUR NORMAL BELT SIZE MEASUREMENT

Adjustment of the Same Browne belt:
The back of the Sam Browne belt should rest on the shank of the two back buttons and lie between the sixth and eighth front buttons. the belt should not be tight to the waist. It will help if the seventh button is undone. The cross strap may need some adjustment and extra holes added if too long. Feed though the epaulette on the right side and measure where the buckle should go. If more holes are needed a leather punch may be bought on Amazon for around $8. The Sam Browne is worn on parade and never in the mess for post-parade relaxation or meals.