Spenser Jacket and Buttons

[tundramanq]

My first challenge was getting the size right on these black Spenser jackets. They should be close fitting. Since, like the PC, they hang unfastened in front, the sizing is critical. I first got my actual size - 38R. It hung with the front actually overlaping. Oh goody!, that last real cheap 34R will work - nope - hangs with about an 8 inch gap and was real snug in the shoulders. OK, back to WorldWideTuxedos for a 36R - spot on - about a 4 inch gap. Picture later as I have a navy blue shirt on today and t'would be hard to see.

While waiting on these Spensers to get here - in sequence , I shopped for diamond Thistle Buttons - Found 3 types, 2 I like and one favorite. The resin filled buttons show great contrast. I went through my tartan kilts laying the buttons on them and looking for compatability - on 7 kilts both look great, on 2 blue looks great and on 2 purple looks great. On none does the purple look bad. There is one that the blue doesn't really work with.

Here they are:


They are from TreasureCast on e-bay at $9.98 for 6.

Leaning toward purple. Opinions?

[Cygnus]

For a dress jacket, I'd skip the enamel buttons and go with plain silver - you can't go wrong there.

Either way, I'm looking forward to pictures!

[SemperFyffe]

I love the blue. But that shade just happens to be my favorite color... seeing them with the jacket would help. Though as Cygnus said, you can't go wrong with silver. You wouldn't have the concern of matching.

[JSFMACLJR]

I love the blue. But that shade just happens to be my favorite color... seeing them with the jacket would help. Though as Cygnus said, you can't go wrong with silver. You wouldn't have the concern of matching.

Who worries about buttons matching? Who even notices?

[SemperFyffe]

Who worries about buttons matching? Who even notices?

He expressed concerns of compatibility with the kilts he owns... I was just trying to say that silver goes with everything... But I still vote blue!

[Tim Little]

For a dress jacket, I'd skip the enamel buttons and go with plain silver - you can't go wrong there.

Either way, I'm looking forward to pictures!

***

[Alan H]

I also agree....who notices if the buttons "match"?

That said, I'd also opt for silver, as it's a bit more "traditional"...though your buttons here aren't exactly traditional.

Also, are you REALLY going to wear this jacket with ALL your kilts? I know that I have two kilts which are my nicest kit, and when I get dressed up, those are the ones I pull out of the closet. There's no point in me trying to match anything fancy with my knockarounds. How about you?

[MNlad]

+I silver. Less chance of it clashing with the next kilt in your closet. Hey, then again, the blue or purple gives you an excuse for buying another jacket if it does clash.

[tundramanq]

I am not much worried about traditional as this is for a Spenser jacket for more casual use. I have an Argyll Jacket on order for when it matters.
All these look better than the black buttons on the jacket now. The all pewter and the blue/pewter look a bit washed out on the black wool jacket itself. Although blue is my favorite color. I am leaning toward the purple ( second favorite ) as it looks sharpest on the jacket and seems to work with all colors.

4th jacket ordered in 36XL - I realized the back waist band was only overlapping my belt by about 1/2 inch. From what I gather this should be around 2 inches to the kilt top or belt top. ( Please correct me if I am wrong? ) .The spenser does have a little mini v-shaped tail the point of which extends 1 1/4 inch below the hem at the kidney area.

I like the cut of the spensers is why I am getting it. Not to make a bobtail PC. The buttons will be the only modification.
If one gets too close to a PC you need to get a bagpipe kilt pin to show the yokels when they ask where it is.

[tundramanq]

Since there is interest in the jacket as purchased. I am posing these of the 36R ( my actual chest is 38.5 inches ).
They carry one label:The Robert Wagner Collection by Raffinati the other label is:American Commodore Tuxedo,Cleaveland Ohio.
This explains the size difference. American makers usually make coats and blazers that fit like garbage bags rather than doing the precision tailoring required for a close fit and this was made here. IMHO kilt jackets should be close european fit as to accentuate the loose flowing kilt and not add another loose flapping piece to the picture.
The back:

The Front:

And the side:


I know it's a Utilikilt - it's what I wore today - was working on neighbors car earlier - but the waist position is the same. I did take off my 2.5 inch black belt so the jacket hem is easy to see.