Both old and new regalia for Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus include an official outfit for all members plus additional pieces for the Color Corps. They are the Knights most often visible to the public as they serve at religious and civic functions as Color Guards (flag bearers and escorts) and Honor Guards (who bear swords). 

 

Both old and new handbooks describe rules for corps additions such as particular medals of office worn around the neck and color-bearer harnesses.

 

Colors still identify a Knight’s particular office in the new regalia, but much more subtly. 

 

“The colors for the Fourth Degree Color Corps are ... designated to be worn directly behind the Fourth Degree Medal Badge affixed to the Official Color Corps beret,” says the new handbook.  A member not holding office wears a “black beret with Fourth Degree Medal Badge with no backer.”

 

A baldric is a type of sash and in both new and former regalia baldrics are colored according to one’s country. Knights of the U.S. and its territories have red, white and blue baldrics. 

 

Also in both new and old regalia, the Color Corps have a baldric with a medal piece called a “frog” that hooks onto the Color Corps scabbard that houses the sword.

 

FORMER Official Regalia Dress for Members:

 

Black tuxedo; plain white tuxedo shirt pleated and with collar; black bow tie; black tuxedo studs and cuff links; black cummerbund; black footwear, social baldric worn under the coat; lapel pin.

 

FORMER Official Regalia Dress for the Color Corps

 

Begins with the official regalia dress for members and adds: Black chapeau with a plume of the color of the office; black cape with a lining of the color of the office, white gloves. A service baldric and sword worn over the tuxedo jacket from the right shoulder to the left hip replaces the social baldric.

 

NEW Official Regalia Dress for Members:

 

Navy blue blazer with emblem crest and emblem of the order buttons; official gray trousers; official necktie; official black beret with Fourth Degree medal badge; plain white dress shirt with button cuff; plain black trouser belt; black socks and plain black shoes; official Fourth Degree lapel pin; past and former miniature medals of office.

 

NEW Official Regalia Dress for Color Corps

 

Begins with the official regalia dress for members and adds: service baldric and sword worn over the blazer front from the right shoulder to the left hip; white gloves.

— Amanda Hudson