To Convert Or Not To Convert...That Is The Question.

[TheOfficialBren]

Today I popped into my local Kohls retailer to look for some dress shirts. To my amazement this swanky jacket was on sale! I instantly thought "hmm...jacket conversion project?"
The price was right for such a venture but the more I look at it the less convinced I am that it's a good idea. Any thoughts, Rabble?

[flyrod6057]

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

A wise engineer once told me, "It'll either work, or it won't."

[Mikilt]

Go for it.
Jacket conversions are basically simple, but parts can be challenging. I did my first on a $6 jacket from a thrift store and made all my newbie mistakes there. Then I did a much nicer job on my next two.

[David Thorpe]

I'd pass, if what you are after is a traditional kilt jacket. Details like the zippers, material, single vent, pronounced vertical seams and narrow lapels make it unsuitable (sorry) unless you want to go way out on the fringe of avant garde.

[EagleJCS]

Is it the camera angle, the way the jacket's hanging, or are the flap pockets not at the same level?

I'm with David. It was a good buy, if that's the kind of jacket you'd like to wear with your casual slacks, but I don't think it would work for kilt wearing.

[MNlad]

. . . unless you want to go way out on the fringe of avant garde.

Agreed. If you're looking for something contemporary to wear to the pub, it might work, but if you're aiming for a more traditional look, definitely not.

[TheOfficialBren]

It's the way it was hanging on the hanger.

That's what I was thinking, too. It's a very contemporary jacket. That's exactly what I meant earlier when I said, "the more I look at it the less convinced that it's a good idea."

Thanks, gents.

[auld argonian]

Gotta say, I've picked up a couple of tweed jackets at the thrift store intending to convert them to kilt jackets but looked at them and decided to leave them as they were....they made great regular sport coats but I thought that they'd never look quite right if converted. I've pretty much made up my mind that I'm just going to buy a tweed jacket and vest that are made for kilt wear from the git-go rather than continue to look for the perfect jacket to convert....thus, I agree with Bren's last comment....sometimes it just might be "not a good idea".

Best

AA

[TheOfficialBren]

Plus one, AA. Plus one, indeed. Sometimes a conversion looks great and other times it looks like, well...a converted jacket (which is never ideal). The conversion should always be done in a way that another viewer doesn't see a conversion but rather a jacket that goes with a kilt. It should look as if it was naturally and intentionally tailored for Highland wear from the outset.

There are nimbler hands and eye than I so I'm in agreement...I think I will save this jacket for trousers and just buy a jacket specifically made for a kilt.

I don't always wear my kilt (several times per month...nowhere near as many as some gentlemen here) but when I do I stick to what works and don't step far outside what is proven to "work."

[Panache]

Wise choice!

If you don't wear highland attire a lot and want to look your best in a variety of situations a nice tweed kilt jacket and waistcoat is the most versatile bit of kit you can have. It is worth it to get one that looks right.

Cheers

Jamie