Black and White Houndstooth Tweed Kilt Jacket and Waistcoat - What do you think?

**creagdhubh** · 17th April 13, 07:42 AM

Greetings,

In a few months, I will be ordering another new kilt jacket and waistcoat to be worn with my Highland day attire and have always been quite fond of the black and white houndstooth pattern. I have had the pleasure of seeing such a smart looking jacket in person once before on our forum's own, Sandy MacLean (JSFMACLJR). I have also been rather fond of the late Duke of Windsor's houndstooth tweed jacket that he wore with his kilt. It seems like such a versatile pattern that could potentially work well with almost any tartan, in almost any colour scheme. At the moment and as far as some of the construction/aesthetic details are concerned, I am drawn to having the jacket made up with genuine stag horn buttons in a medium brown colour, braided epaulettes, scalloped pocket flaps, gauntlet cuffs, a two button front closure, and a waistcoat with a five button front.

I am curious if any members of the rabble, besides Sandy (of course, you are more than welcome to chime in, Sandy!), have a Highland daywear jacket in this particular pattern and what your feelings are when wearing it with the kilt, or what the general feelings are from the rabble towards a houndstooth pattern with the kilt. Personally, I really like the look and that's all that matters, but I am curious about what the rabble thinks as well. Thank you.

The late Duke of Windsor.

The late Duke and Duchess of Windsor.

The late Duke of Windsor's houndstooth tweed kilt jacket and waistcoat in colour.

My houndstooth tweed pattern of choice in the 16 ounce, Kirkton range from Lovat Mill.

Kind regards,

**Jock Scot** · 17th April 13, 07:54 AM

Love it! Although the "teeth" dont want to be too large and for me I prefer browns, or some greens, or, a blue black rather than black as I think that is rather too stark. Takes me back to my Grand Father and his generation 60/70 years ago.

**Cygnus** · 17th April 13, 07:54 AM

I don't have one, but I want one! It has been on my wish list for some time, so please document the process and (more importantly) the final product if you do.

One small quibble is that the pattern you've posted appears to be more of a small shepherd check rather than a true houndstooth, though I doubt if anyone could tell the difference from more than a few feet away.

houndstooth_4x6_proof.jpg

**Nathan** · 17th April 13, 08:07 AM

Originally Posted by Cygnus

I don't have one, but I want one! It has been on my wish list for some time, so please document the process and (more importantly) the final product if you do.

One small quibble is that the pattern you've posted appears to be more of a small shepherd check rather than a true houndstooth, though I doubt if anyone could tell the difference from more than a few feet away.

houndstooth_4x6_proof.jpg

***

**artificer** · 17th April 13, 08:12 AM

I actually have an ivory and deep grey houndstooth I've been considering having converted.

One of the things I like about the Duke's houndstooth is that it is very plain. No epaulettes, no cuffs, slash pockets.

I think if you're going with THAT much pattern you can dial back some of the extra details. If pressed to add a bit of fanciness
I'd probably go with a Mariner/Braemar cuff.

ith:

**creagdhubh** · 17th April 13, 08:13 AM

Originally Posted by Cygnus

I don't have one, but I want one! It has been on my wish list for some time, so please document the process and (more importantly) the final product if you do.

One small quibble is that the pattern you've posted appears to be more of a small shepherd check rather than a true houndstooth, though I doubt if anyone could tell the difference from more than a few feet away.

houndstooth_4x6_proof.jpg

Excellent point! I suppose the Kirkton pattern would be considered more of a black and white shepherd check than as opposed to a true houndstooth then. I do like the overall small-sized pattern though. As Jock said, "not too large."

**creagdhubh** · 17th April 13, 08:18 AM

Originally Posted by artificer

I actually have an ivory and deep grey houndstooth I've been considering having converted.

One of the things I like about the Duke's houndstooth is that it is very plain. No epaulettes, no cuffs, slash pockets.

I think if you're going with THAT much pattern you can dial back some of the extra details. If pressed to add a bit of fanciness
I'd probably go with a Mariner/Braemar cuff.

ith:

Thanks, Scott. I received my new kilt jacket and waistcoat in the Kirkton tweed shown below and I had it made up in the same fashion described above and I absolutely love it! I really need to get some photos up, and I will certainly accomplish that in due course.

I understand your point in regards to keeping the jacket simple, but I have moved away from that. I used to own three tweed kilt jackets and waistcoats, all from Kinloch Anderson, that had plain cuffs, plain pocket flaps, no epaulettes, etc. Whereas I did fancy that look and still do, I feel my tastes have changed and now, I am really keen on having the traditional gauntlet cuffs, epaultettes, scalloped pocket flaps, etc. It has kind of been a weird evolution for me I suppose, but it is what it is.

Cheers,

**artificer** · 17th April 13, 08:22 AM

Originally Posted by creagdhubh

Thanks, Scott. I received my new kilt jacket and waistcoat in the Kirkton tweed shown below and I had it made up in the same fashion described above and I absolutely love it! I really need to get some photos up, and I will certainly accomplish that in due course.

I understand your point in regards to keeping the jacket simple, but I have moved away from that. I used to own three tweed kilt jackets and waistcoats, all from Kinloch Anderson, that had plain cuffs, plain pocket flaps, no epaulettes, etc. Whereas I did fancy that look and still do, I feel my tastes have changed and now, I am really keen on having the traditional gauntlet cuffs, epaultettes, scalloped pocket flaps, etc. It has kind of been a weird evolution for me I suppose, but it is what it is.

Cheers,

LOL! Fair enough.

I'm not one of nature's peacocks (I own 7 black suits and I wasn't an undertaker), so any extraneous details tend to make me a bit uncomfortable.
I do like the traditional look of the gauntlet cuffs, etc, but they're generally just too fancy for me.

Can't wait to see the pix of yours, when it's finished.

ith:

**ShaunMaxwell** · 17th April 13, 08:39 AM

I love it as well. In fact, I could swear I saw a kilt jacket/waistcoat like this on ebay very recently...

**creagdhubh** · 17th April 13, 09:10 AM

Originally Posted by artificer

LOL! Fair enough.

I'm not one of nature's peacocks (I own 7 black suits and I wasn't an undertaker), so any extraneous details tend to make me a bit uncomfortable.
I do like the traditional look of the gauntlet cuffs, etc, but they're generally just too fancy for me.

Can't wait to see the pix of yours, when it's finished.

ith:

I completely understand. I once thought the extra details and decoration of fancier cuffs, epaulettes - whether flat or braided, buttons on the pocket flaps, etc, were a bit superfluous and just a hangover from the military, but over the past year or so, I have really began to fancy those "extra" details on Highland day jackets. I always loved the use of it on my Regulation doublet and other Highland evening jackets/doublets too. I do like the simplicity of the Duke of Windsor's check/houndstooth jacket, but then I am also fond of the same patterned jacket with all of those other traditional details. Perhaps Sandy will post a photo of him in his similar jacket, since his incorporates the gauntlet cuffs, epaulettes, etc., and looks quite smart. Decisions, decisions...hahaha!