If you could only have one

[Farmer Jones]

There is a tweed Argyll jacket in my future. I have seen from photos posted on this forum that a great combination of colours work with tartan kilts. Including hoes and flashes, waistcoats and jackets, there is a huge range of colour possibilities that can be brought together to great effect. There are some combinations that do not work. Especially with something as large as a jacket. I can only have one jacket for all of those non-formal, non-casual occasions. I have been thinking that a black and white herringbone would go with most things, but before I commit myself to a very significant purchase, I would like to solicit opinions. The two kilts I will be wearing it with are one as you see in my avatar, and the Canadian Maple Leaf.

[MNlad]

Including hoes and flashes

Where do I go with this? Better not!
Seriously, those two tartans, other than the red, are quite dissimilar. If possible, I'd ask my supplier for some samples of tweeds I'm interested in before I made a decision. Gray, which is what your black/white tweed will look like at a distance, goes with just about anything. It would go great with your avatar tartan . . . and not too bad with Maple Leaf, although I prefer a brown or green based tweed along with that autumn-like tartan.

[creagdhubh]

I am rather partial to brown/tan based tweeds (thornproof, herringbone, check, windowpane, etc) and tend to think they pair nicely with virtually any tartan in any colour scheme, but they look especially well turned out with red based tartans. Along with being extremely versatile, I think a brown/tan, or green based tweed against the overall tone of your chosen tartans would look very smart, and contrast quite nicely. I too have entertained the idea of having a tweed Argyll style jacket and matching waistcoat done up in a back and white herringbone pattern, or houndstooth (think, the Duke of Winsdor), yet I tend to agree that from a distance, the tweed may appear overly grey. There's obviously nothing wrong with that; however, I think tweed with a 'punch" of earthy colours look far more interesting than a pattern that's exclusively black and white. There is a compromise of this however; see tweed #2 below.

Worn Examples:











Tweed Examples:

[Farmer Jones]

I actually prefer greens as well. I can see that a green or brown would go eminently well with the Maple Leaf, but not at all with the other. If there was a bit of green in it, it would be my choice.

[creagdhubh]

I actually prefer greens as well. I can see that a green or brown would go eminently well with the Maple Leaf, but not at all with the other. If there was a bit of green in it, it would be my choice.

What I typically do when deciding on which tweed to go with in regards to my Highland Dress (besides ordering actual tweed swatches), is to download (by means of copy and pasting) and save onto my computer desktop an electronic version of the tweed swatch, along with an electronic version of the tartan (though I do realise that computer monitors will indeed vary, so in regards to overall tonality and hue, this is simply a rough guide/strategy), and place them side by side to determine what will work, and what won't. This is a rather quick and efficient way to get an idea if a particular tweed pattern/colour will work well with a particular tartan or not. Process of elimination is the name of the game.

So, with that being said, here are several other tweed samples (some louder than others) you may find interesting:

[OC Richard]

I can only have one jacket for all of those non-formal, non-casual occasions.

I'm trying to understand what sort of occasions these would be. But yes, I think you've already received excellent advice, and one of those lovely tweeds would be fantastic with any tartan.

As a piper I'm expected to be dressed a tad more formally than the other people at the event, and my go-to jacket is a black Argyll. It's very comfortable but makes me look professional.

The commonly seen solution is the Charcoal Grey Argyll, but I don't care for the sort of fabric these are usually seen in. I could see a dark grey (not necessarily charcoal) jacket of a fine-quality tweed being perfect for most occasions.

Here's my green Argyll. Is it too informal for some occasions? I don't know.



And here's a Charcoal Grey Argyll



And what I wear nearly all the time, the black Argyll

[Nathan]

Green tweed would go perfectly fine with your masonic tartan even though there's no green in it. Green and red are complimentary colours. Just wear green hose or flashes to compliment the tweed and let the kilt stand alone. If you really need to match, pick up the colours in the tartan with a tie or pocket square.

[Tobus]

I actually prefer greens as well. I can see that a green or brown would go eminently well with the Maple Leaf, but not at all with the other. If there was a bit of green in it, it would be my choice.

You're not trying to get matchy-matchy with tweed, are you? . Just because the tartan doesn't have green doesn't mean a greenish tweed wouldn't go well with it. You'd be surprised. Even an olive colour might look wonderful.

[creagdhubh]

Precisely, Nathan and Tobus. Well said. Excellent visual examples as well, Richard.

Cheers,

[ForresterModern]

What I typically do when deciding on which tweed to go with in regards to my Highland Dress (besides ordering actual tweed swatches), is to download (by means of copy and pasting) and save onto my computer desktop an electronic version of the tweed swatch, along with an electronic version of the tartan (though I do realise that computer monitors will indeed vary, so in regards to overall tonality and hue, this is simply a rough guide/strategy), and place them side by side to determine what will work, and what won't. This is a rather quick and efficient way to get an idea if a particular tweed pattern/colour will work well with a particular tartan or not. Process of elimination is the name of the game.

So, with that being said, here are several other tweed samples (some louder than others) you may find interesting:

This is one of my favorite tweeds, the olive green with navy windowpane check. That and a slightly lighter version with a tan windowpane check are my go to tweeds for just about any tartan I can think of wearing. With certain tartans they are a bit matchy matchy--like with my IOS or DFT kilts---and with others they are a bit clashy---like my Ancient Red Douglas, which is a very strong tartan. But your tartans, albeit from different "color seasons" (Maple Leaf in Autumn colors and the other tartan more of a Winter palette) should still be able to work with a lot of tweeds. As others have said let your kilt stand alone with whatever tweed you wear, then pull the package together with hose, flashes, tie, shirt, pocket square, and bonnet if you are going that way.
Or take the native Scots approach and grab this jacket (possibly your one and only), that waistcoat (may or may not be of the same tweed or not tweed at all), whatever shirt is most forward in your closet, then choose your best regimental tie and solid hose, with red flashes, and head out for the day.