Need a jacket for a semiformal event

**Bo Smith** · 8th January 12, 02:53 PM

Good Lord willing, I will be taking a bachelor's degree in nursing in June. For those of you that don't know, nursing school traditionally ends with a "pinning" ceremony, a quasi-religious ceremony, in which the professors send the new graduates into the science and art of nursing. My school has Episcopal roots, and has its pinning at the local Episcopal cathedral.

I've already ordered a new kilt from Matt Newsome, to be delivered in April or early May. I would like an Argyll jacket to where with the event; but don't know anything about vendors and dealers. I pretty much have to go mail order, since there are no shops here that cater to discriminating Highland wear.

I don't want anything made in Pakistan or India, obviously. I'd like a quality jacket.

Oh, and the fit: Do these jackets fit like American jackets? I normally wear a 44R in an suit jacket or sports coat. Do these jackets fit similarly; or should I order larger, and take it to a tailor?

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks.

-Bo

**McMurdo** · 8th January 12, 03:14 PM

Bo
As you have already been in contact with Matt from the Scottish Tartan Museum you could always talk to them about your jacket as they do carry jackets that come from Scotland. You could also check out USA Kilts who also get their jackets from Scotland. Perhaps knowing where you are located would help narrow down some good ideas for you. If you are ordering from Scotland I would suggest a few places, this all depends on your budget of course but you could order from

Kinloch Anderson

Hector Russell

Of course you can also find some wonderful day jackets on ebay. As to the fit of these jackets,that really depends on the individual maker, though as a general rule the UK sizing seems to be tighter than the North American sizing for example in a suit I wear a 40 however some of my kilt jackets are 42's while others are 40's. It is a good idea to discuss these concerns with the vendor of your choice.

**Detroitpete** · 8th January 12, 03:18 PM

You could always go the conversion route by contacting our own VMAC3205 here. She can make you a GREAT jacket and a VERY affordable price. I get positive comments on mine all the time.

**Joshua** · 8th January 12, 05:18 PM

I have two choices (being a larger lad) that I would go to.

USAKilts (made to measure in Scotland)

Local tailor (take pictures of kilt jackets and wear your kilt for the sizing!)

**Bo Smith** · 8th January 12, 08:43 PM

I've looked at the jackets at the Scottish Tartan's Museum website. I just think that I'd like to look at others before I make a decision. It's a bit stressful buying from a picture that doesn't give a real insight into quality and fit. I'd much rather "buy once, cry once", just looking for other members to share their experiences from which I can learn something.

-Bo

**ohiopiper** · 8th January 12, 09:33 PM

I got mine from J.Higgins and I like it.

Having said that, for the same or near same money, you couild buy one from Rocky at USAKilts and support a forum advertizer.

**Silent Raven** · 9th January 12, 12:28 AM

i got both of my jackets used, my prince charlie from right here on the forums in our for sale sections and the other i just recently won off ebay, a nice argyle that i still need to get to a tailor to have the arms shortened a bit. from what i can tell the sizing seems to generally be the same, but for safety sake you should always go a bit larger when buy sight unseen, or have the seller take measurements and then get your self measured to ensure a good fit.

**Bo Smith** · 9th January 12, 07:14 AM

Originally Posted by ohiopiper

I got mine from J.Higgins and I like it.

Having said that, for the same or near same money, you couild buy one from Rocky at USAKilts and support a forum advertizer.

I like that Argyll;but it's only in black. I was leaning more toward gray, for versatility.

Guess that's another question: gray versus black?

**RockyR** · 9th January 12, 04:33 PM

Many of the forum sponsors do carry black and tweed argyll jackets. We (USA Kilts) carry them on our site:

http://www.usakilts.com/index.php/ki...ets-vests.html

Check with the company you ultimately purchase from, but the kilt jackets we get are made in the UK and tend to run 1 size SMALLER than your US size. If you're a 44 Reg, you would order a 46 Reg from us.

Best of luck whatever you choose to do.

**AKScott** · 9th January 12, 04:57 PM

You might check about rentals too.

I am sure STM has some rental stuff, cause I rented a fair bit of kit from them for my wedding last year.

You could at least check with Rocky as well. So if you are a size 44R and your UK made rental 46R fits about right, then you can get through your pinning (congratulations) and know what size jacket to order for purchase.

Just an idea. I didn't rent an Argylle.