So What Kinda Jacket Am I Looking For?

[g koch]

I'd like a comfortable jacket/coat for DAILY wear. Until the last half of the 20th century men had practical coats that were worn with vests.

The 'kilt jackets' that I've had were a bit shorter than I'd like (and quite honestly add to the I'm-wearing-my-Kilt-Outfit look), but more importantly the sleeves didn't allow for natural arm movement. The underside of the sleeve is attached way down 'round the middle of the ribcage.

Something with no or little shoulder padding would be nice, as well.

Am I looking for a 'sack' coat or some sort of 'Blazer' or 'sports' coat or what?

Is anyone making a kilt jacket/coat thats just A BIT shorter than a suit coat with PRACTICAL sleeves and SANS the epaulets and scalloped pocket and cuff flaps?

[Bugbear]

The Wizard of BC has the jackets you are talking about, and the Scottish Tartans Museum also has the other jackets you are talking about. The Wizard's jackets, I am told by him, are form fitting around the waist and back, and he should describe them to you, really. The STM's jackets, I think, are more like a kilt cut sport coat Neither have the shoulder thingies and Argyle cufs etc; just a contemporary kilt jacket. And if I weren't
a dirt farmer trying to save enough up to just buy a real kilt, I would buy one or the other or both. I've ben cutting down old sport and suit jackets for mine.

Hope that helps.

[EagleJCS]

I'd say just about any short-waisted jacket (Denim jacket, windbreaker, etc., etc.) would be OK for casual daily wear.

For something a little dressier (i.e. sport coat, etc.), I think you'll need to check out the various vendors or have an existing one (cut for trousers) cut down just a little by a tailor (or by yourself, if you're adventurous enough).

[McMurdo]

Sounds like you might be talking about something from TFCK.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Would something like our Harris Tweed shooting jackets fit the bill?
http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/...g_jackets.html



The above picture is on our web site, but here's a couple of me wearing it in other contexts.



That last one was at the Stone Mountain Highland Games last year with Capt. Sir Malcolm MacGregor of MacGregor and Lady MacGregor. Notice the jacket that the MacGregor is wearing. It's essentially an Argyle-style kilt jacket made from tweed cloth, without the epaulettes and with plain cuffs. This style jacket might fit the bill for what you want, as well, and look a bit "dressier" than the shooting jacket.

Here I am wearing a similar style of jacket in a different tweed. (This was at a speaking engagement with the Atlanta St. Andrews Society).


Any of the Argyle style jackets we sell in the museum gift shop can be ordered with plain cuffs and no epaulettes upon request, even if it doesn't necessarily give that option on the web site. All you have to do is ask. I think most Highland dress suppliers will be happy to do the same.

Here's a link to all of our jacket styles.
http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/kiltjack.html

[wvpiper]

Sounds like you might be talking about something from TFCK.

Ohhh, snap! I like that tweed (looks like these folks dressed that Cox fellow in my thread re: jackets; note the boots, and tweed jacket)

I like that Macgregor fellow's jacket also.

[McMurdo]

Ohhh, snap! I like that tweed (looks like these folks dressed that Cox fellow in my thread re: jackets; note the boots, and tweed jacket)

I like that Macgregor fellow's jacket also.

I did say it looks like a TFCK jacket in your thread, and if you look into it yes it was TFCK who was behind the wardrobe. Here is the site where the calendar can be bought

http://www.onecity.org.uk/shop/index.html?fa=v_i&id=11

[svc40bt]

Matt didn't mention it, but I believe the tweed shooting jacket has a bi-swing back. This greatly improves range of arm motion.

I just bought one of the tweed jackets from Jos A Bank mentioned in another thread. For $65 on clearance I couldn't pass it up, but those arms bind up if you are trying to do much more than shaking someone's hand.

After looking back at the photo, at least the one Matt is sporting definately has a bi-swing back. Not to hijack the thread, but Lady MacGregor's outfit ought to be in the lassies thread, classy and beautiful.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I just bought one of the tweed jackets from Jos A Bank mentioned in another thread. For $65 on clearance I couldn't pass it up, but those arms bind up if you are trying to do much more than shaking someone's hand.

I think that's due to the rather skimpy cut of the jacket-- a well cut jacket should allow a reasonable range of motion. What's reasonable? Well you should be able to sit down and eat without the jacket binding. If engaging in any activity more strenuous than dining, a gentleman should probably remove his jacket!

Jacket fit also has a lot to do with one's body shape. Off the rack sizes are made to fit an "average" person-- what ever that is. A jacket sized Regular is intended to fit gentlemen from 5'8" to 6'-- quite a range, and one that does not take into consideration things like length of legs, or how broad one is across the back, the slope of shoulders, etc.

When buying off the rack (like Jos. A. Banks) try on several jackets marked as being your size. Don't just stand in front of the mirror, but try them sitting as well. Also try a size larger; if the shoulders fit, but the body is overly generous, ask what they would charge to take it in, or conversely, to let out a jacket that fits well in the shoulders but binds in other areas.

If all else fails, and you are one of those people who just can't be fit "off the rack", you will have to pass up the sales and stick with "made to measure" jackets.

[puffer]

I think that's due to the rather skimpy cut of the jacket-- a well cut jacket should allow a reasonable range of motion. What's reasonable? Well you should be able to sit down and eat without the jacket binding. If engaging in any activity more strenuous than dining, a gentleman should probably remove his jacket!

Jacket fit also has a lot to do with one's body shape. Off the rack sizes are made to fit an "average" person-- what ever that is. A jacket sized Regular is intended to fit gentlemen from 5'8" to 6'-- quite a range, and one that does not take into consideration things like length of legs, or how broad one is across the back, the slope of shoulders, etc.

When buying off the rack (like Jos. A. Banks) try on several jackets marked as being your size. Don't just stand in front of the mirror, but try them sitting as well. Also try a size larger; if the shoulders fit, but the body is overly generous, ask what they would charge to take it in, or conversely, to let out a jacket that fits well in the shoulders but binds in other areas.

If all else fails, and you are one of those people who just can't be fit "off the rack", you will have to pass up the sales and stick with "made to measure" jackets.

IMHO, THIS IS RIGHT ON.

Off the rack jackets, unless tailored, do not fit properly.
NOTE, Amer. sized & European sized, jackets fit DRASTICALLY different. ( Amer. seem to be sized for larger waist to chest etc, than Euro.)
Also NOTE, even Amer. sized jacket very greatly in proportions.

Puffer