Two separate fashion statements were being made in Belfast as the Orange Order took to the streets yesterday. The brethren opted for that timeless dark suit and collarette ensemble while the crowds went for the patriotic look. This marching season red, white and blue are the new orange.
When choosing outfits for the largest Twelfth of July Orange Parade in the North, female revellers were helped by the fact that everyone from Madonna to Britney Spears has been spotted wearing the Union Jack.
Sporty types simply pulled on a Rangers' top, lots of gold jewellery and white tracksuit bottoms. New this marching season were Union Jack shades while another key accessory was a paramilitary flag to be draped nonchalantly across the shoulders or waved vigorously, especially by young children.
This unlikely fashion parade left Carlisle Circus in the city centre about 10 a.m. Flute bands, drums and shouts of "up the UVF" provided a thumping soundtrack as about 250 Orange lodges set off on a five-mile walk to a field at Edenderry.
There was no escaping the carnival atmosphere, except perhaps when the RUC was seen at a point where the parade could be viewed from a nationalist housing estate.
A small number of Catholic children sat on a high wall in full view of the marchers. Young Protestant girls ran past cheering and swearing at them, their braided hair and Union Jack flags flapping in the wind.
Two Swedish tourists on a trip around Ireland were delighted to have happened upon the parade.
"We didn't know it was a public holiday here," said Birgitta Gilberth, "it's a lovely surprise." Her husband Nils said he had only seen the parades on TV, "so this is fantastic, a very festive occasion". The sun shone on the Orangemen as they made their way up the Lisburn Road into the heart of leafy south Belfast. By 11.30 a.m., the streets were already lined with empty beer cans and burger cartons. The crowds sipped tea or coffee, Buckfast or beer, alcopops or wine. Halfway to the field, the marchers took a break, some of the brethren using the time to relieve themselves in gardens of some posh-looking houses.
They finally reached their destination at lunchtime, the Orangemen flopping wearily on the grass with bags of sandwiches and cups of tea.
"This is our paradise," said one, adding that he was sorry the Ballynafeigh brethren had decided not to join them in Edenderry after they were again banned from marching down the Ormeau Road.
Rain had started to fall by the time a small crowd gathered for the speeches where two stretch limos waited by a stage, ready to ferry senior Orange folk away.