Newbie ??? about a sports coat

[sbroomheadsr]

Well, as the title says, I am asking about a sports coat. I did a search and didn't find an answer to my question, which is:
If you don't have the classic or proper jacket to go with your kilt, can you get by wearing a sports coat? This would be for an upscale casual time out like putting the jacket on over a polo shirt with jeans. Or, perhaps, it is with casual slacks and a button down shirt.

I've read that you can treat a kilt like jeans for attire but I just was curious.

BTW, the jacket is not lime green striped or yellow paisley. Wife tossed those out years ago.

Steven

[GrainReaper]

My opinion is that a Saxon coat or jacket is a bit long to be worn with the kilt, so most have a purpose made jacket to wear with their kilt, However.....

There are many of us on here who have done a jacket conversion on a non kilt jacket, I bought a fine tweed jacket over at my local thrift store and shortened it and rounded the front for the sporran cutout. Search the forum for "jacket conversion" for examples and how-to threads

[The Wizard of BC]

There are some distinct differences between a sport coat and a jacket cut for a kilt.

As has been mentioned a jacket designed to be worn with trousers will be longer. On average a suit jacket or sport coat will have the bottom just at the bottom of the buttocks. This is the hide the pucker caused by the trouser legs.

here is a normal sport coat designed to be worn with trousers.




A jacket designed to be worn with a kilt will have the bottom to the crest of the hips. (or about where the bottom of the Fell of your kilt is.)
This results in the bottom of the jacket being close to the same length as the sleeves.
There is also a cut-away in the front to go around the sporran.
Most kilt jackets are also double back vented.

[Liam]

The simple answer is no. Wear a sweater or a sweater vest instead, or just a dress shirt with or without a tie.
Cheers....

[GrainReaper]

Or a wool vest (waistcoat) Saxon vests are typically the same length as a kilt specific one, you could add a vest to your wardrobe, just remember that a vest with adjuster straps should only be worn under a jacket and not as a stand alone

[OC Richard]

My answer is that nowadays it would look out of place to wear an ordinary or "Saxon" jacket with traditional Highland Dress. This has been true since at least around 1900.

But it wasn't always so, and in the mid-19th century it was not at all uncommon.

And a "Saxon" cut jacket can look great with "contemporary" kiltwearing.

Some of the nicest photos I've seen of kiltwearing have included long jackets. Here's a wonderfully put-together outfit which was part of a lengthy discussion here a while back



And this terrific image from c1860 with wonderful fleur-de-lis hose

[Spartan Tartan]

You will get many opinions, so I'll share mine as well...

Try on the jacket and see if you like how it looks. Others have already mentioned the different lengths. I don't like longer jackets because it covers the pleats. But, that's just me. I tend to be more traditional as well, so bear that in mind (so you understand my frame of reference).

If you like the way it looks, then wear it. On the other hand, since you compare it with a jacket/polo/jeans combo, I Would go with a nice shirt and perhaps a sweater. Rather than combine styles that generally are not intended to be mixed.

"Wear what you would with pants" theory is fine...but there are options that look nicer. I wouldn't wear my kilt cut jackets with jeans or slacks either.

Just my two cents. Whatever you decide, wear it with confidence and you will be fine.

[Jock Scot]

Good advice has been given, but I think a bit of background information may help you understand more fully the reasons for the advice given.

Highland attire has its roots in a completely different culture to "Saxon "attire( trousers etc) and in consequence it is difficult----not impossible---- to compare attire requirements for particular events exactly. Highland attire has no direct equivalent to jeans and polo shirt------at least, until very, very recently------and this is why and where the pullover(sweater), waistcoat(vest) advice comes in.

The tweed jacket in Highland attire terms is equivalent to the lounge/business suit, there has been NO sports coat equivalent within Highland attire conventions until recently. Well alright, not quite! Perhaps the ill fitting, handmedown, fifty year old, much repaired, stained, tattered tweed jacket smelling distinctly of pipe smoke, fish, peat, whisky, moth balls, beer, sweat and dead rat might have just about fitted in to the kilt and sports jacket definition, but in reality this form of jacket was better suited to gardening, road mending, or an afternoons ferreting out on the hill.

Hope this helps.

[Tarheel]

Well alright, not quite! Perhaps the ill fitting, handmedown, fifty year old, much repaired, stained, tattered tweed jacket smelling distinctly of pipe smoke, fish, peat, whisky, moth balls, beer, sweat and dead rat might have just about fitted in to the kilt and sports jacket definition, but in reality this form of jacket was better suited to gardening, road mending, or an afternoons ferreting out on the hill.

How well Jock knows my wardrobe and work history. The perspective suggests a "go-to" coat for everyday (as opposed to visiting) use.

[OC Richard]

I myself don't wear "Saxon" jackets with kilts. For those, I have a nice tweed Argyll jacket, and one that's a bit moth-eaten and scruffy.

Both were got off Ebay, for around $100 and $50 respectively.

Each have their role.

I wear my "Saxon" jackets with trousers. I have a few, from a very nice heavy Harris Tweed check jacket which fits perfectly (Ebay $130) to a couple rumpled ones (around $20 each). There are times for each.

Thing is, I don't do "contemporary kiltwearing". Others do it, and some do it very well, but it's not for me.