Feather Bonnets:  Hanging a feather bonnet upside down between use will prevent the molting look of an old bonnet. Avoid wearing your feather bonnet in the rain. The black dye on the feathers may run. D/M Kieran Boyle notes that hanging the bonnet upside down in a closed bathroom while running a hot shower for about 20 minutes (but don't let the bonnet get wet) and then blow drying will result in a fluffy bonnet.  Drum Major Bob Little protects his feather bonnet in a plastic pail with breathing hole punched in the top.

Belts:  If your belts are made of leather such as mine, I polish them along with my shoes with a good boot polish and transport them in a plastic bag to avoid marring other uniform parts. Keep white items bagged separately from black items.  For white items, Drum Major Tom Belyea has found that the Household Division uses Meltonian. It is oil based and leaves not residue unlike the water-based white liquid polish.

Plaids:  I have seen competitors that keep the full plaid under control with a small chain that connects to the waist belt. My feeling is if you need a chain then don’t wear full dress.  Note that regimental Drum Majors do not wear a drummer's plaid.

Red Sash (wool):   After ironing, roll up the red sash to avoid wrinkling.  D/M Kieran Boyle adds that using a damp ironing cloth when ironing at high temperature will prevent the sash from developing a sheen.

Note: the more proper silk sash shouldn't require much if any pressing.

Gloves:  Gloves are usually white. As to gloves, I would find leather if possible particularly if you spin the mace. Cotton can get slippery. D/M Tom Belyea prefers white cotton drum corps gloves with rubber dots on the palms.  They are washable, inexpensive, and provide excellent grip.  Gauntlets are leather. They will discolor with sweat unfortunately, and will need to be replaced every year or so.  Note that gauntlets are not generally worn by the Scottish regiments.  Drum Major Iain McGibbon notes that to prevent arm flash , tube socks with the necks cut off can be worn so as to elongate the glove.

Kilts:  Only iron the kilt from the back. This will avoid putting a sheen on the visible side.   D/M Kieran Boyle adds that using a damp ironing cloth when ironing at high temperature will prevent a sheen as well.  Use a kilt hanger to keep your kilt wrinkle free. Underneath, if you chafe, a good pair of lycra shorts will make things a lot more comfortable!

Kilt Pins:  If you use a kilt pin, only pin the front apron. Should you pin the front apron to the apron underneath and you catch it while flourishing the mace, you may end up with a hole in the front of your expensive kilt.

Hose: Diamond (Argyll) pattern. Do not wear a solid color hose (white, khaki, green, other) with full dress. Hose tops are less expensive than full hose.

Spats: Spats come in two varieties: traditional canvas button up and nylon with Velcro fasteners. The traditional canvas fit better providing you have adjusted the buttons to the shape of your ankle. They are usually whitened by shoe whitener. If you do not wash your canvas spats periodically, the whitener will become smooth over time and have a tendency to crack. You should plan to wash your canvas spats at least once a year and put on a fresh application of whitener. As for the nylon spats, they are easily kept white by throwing them in the washer with a little bleach. They don’t hold their form as well as canvas, however. Nylon spats usually do not fit very well, but boy are they white!  To get the nice crease in the center of the spat, D/M Tom Belyea found that the Scottish Division, pounds the crease with a hammer, then whiten the spat, then, using a pressing cloth, iron with high heat and steam.  D/M Little has the cloth type spats.  After washing he sprays the inside with starch and then irons under a damp ironing cloth. He polishes the instep straps with Meltonian cream polish. 

Shoes: Don’t forget to blacken the outside of the sole when polishing.  D/M Kieran Boyle notes that a toothbrush may be used to clean and polish the crack between then the leather body and the sole of the shoe.  Additionally, polish the inside of the heel.  D/M Tom Belyea discovered that the Scottish Division bands are issued three sets of brogues.  One set is for daily use.  The second set is polished to a high sheen.  The third set is coated with JapLac, a self leveling black lacquer for a mirror finish (D/M Boyle indicates that the third set is dipped in beeswax before being lacquered) . The bad news for those in the US is that the EPA doesn't permit the importation of the JapLac product. D/M Little uses Meltonian cream which provides great results if used in moderate amounts.  D/M Little uses shoe trees on his MoD issue brogues.

Broadsword:  To avoid banging the scabbard against your skins or otherwise tripping on the sword, D/M Tom Belyea discovered that the Guards wire the hilt to the waist belt while the Scottish Division tie the throat of the scabbard snug against the waist belt. D/M Bob Little added an extra loop on this belt which he passes the scabbard through, keeping it tight to the body.

How do you keep track of all these parts? The doublet, kilt, plaid and sporran are on hangers. I have a hat box to keep my headgear and a five gallon bucket for everything else.