I've noticed some confusion about Eton Jackets, so I thought I'd clear it up. Let's start with where the name comes from.

Well, legend has it that Lord Spencer back eighteen umpty-ump got tired of the tails of his tailcoat getting caught on things....ruddy nuisance, don't you know? ...and had a tailor whack them off. Thus was born the short-waisted, "tailless tailcoat". It soon became all the rage, and was even adapted for ladies wear. If you search the web for "Spencer jacket" you will find references to both mens and womens clothing, much of it from the Victorian era..

The Spencer, the short waisted jacket was adopted at the famous boys school at Eton, for the younger fellows, where it came known as the "bum freezer". After some time, the name "Eton" became somewhat more associated with the style than "Spencer". You can read more about it here:

http://www.uniformmarket.com/magazin...6/webster.html

and here:

www.archivist.f2s.com/bsu/EtonSuit.htm



If you search the web for "Eton Jacket" you will find links and pictures rather like this one...


but also like these:




Thus illustrating the strong connection between the Eton jacket and Eton suit and childrens clothing.

You, as a kilt-wearing adult, should try to distance yourself from the association between Eton Suits and childrens clothing.

https://secure.ferrariformalwear.com...rchandiseID=20

http://www.uniformmarket.com/magazin...tonjacket2.jpg

Currently, the Uniform and Work-oriented formalwear sellers offer Eton jackets in two sytles, the three-button and the single-button. If you look at the pictures and websites I've posted so far, you will notice that more-or-less all the childrens jackets have multiple buttons, whereas the current fashion in formal wear for the Eton has just one button. Therefore, I'd STRONGLY suggest that if you are purchasing an Eton jacket, get the single-button version. After all, what you are striving for is something that looks very much like the Mess jacket of the the military.









In fact, it may very well be worth your while, if you have time, to watch EBay for mess jackets that come on sale. I purchased a nearly brand-new Air Force Enlisted Mess jacket (no insignia) in dark Air Force Blue for about $15 a few years ago. It didn't fit so I sold it to another X-Marks member at the time, but still and all....

I have also seen WOMENS MILITARY MESS JACKETS on ebay from time to time.

So, at the end of all this, here's my two cents. If you're going to buy an
Eton Jacket from the UniformalWearhouse or other budget online formal-workwear place, get the SINGLE BUTTON version. Get the three-button version and you'll look too much like the kilted ringbearer at a Scottish wedding.