Single button tux to Eton/short waist

**EHCAlum** · 13th October 11, 12:24 PM

Picked up a peak lapel single button tux jacket from the Salvation army for 3 bucks yesterday. Going to see how it looks cropping it into an eton/dress mess style jacket. Might have to stay with cloth buttons at the moment unless I can find some silver/nickle/pewter etc buttons locally.

This is going to be worn at my Shrine's unit ball with my freemason kilt and shrine fez.

Any suggestions for determining the length of the jacket? I'm using my coast guard wind breaker which is bomber length as a rough guide. Thanks.

**ChattanCat** · 14th October 11, 04:50 AM

The longest the jacket should be is to the bottom of the fell on you kilt. I like mine a little shorter than that by about an inch or so.

Great find and local fabric stores might carry a button that would interest you. You can also try Three Feathers Pewter for buttons.

**EHCAlum** · 21st October 11, 07:43 AM

Finally finished, just leaving the cloth buttons on as the even is tonight. Might have make it a hair on the short side.... Will post up photos when I get home from work. Michelle will be wearing a deep silver dress I believe.

**Tobus** · 21st October 11, 07:57 AM

Originally Posted by ChattanCat

The longest the jacket should be is to the bottom of the fell on you kilt. I like mine a little shorter than that by about an inch or so.

Hmm, I would say this might be a bit too long for a mess dress style jacket conversion, although it generally works well for converting to Argyle style jackets.

For kilts, I think the best length for a mess jacket is just long enough to not let your shirt show when you raise your arms to shoulder level. If the jacket falls somewhere between an inch and three inches below the top hem of your kilt (in the back), it really looks fantastic. A little more drop in the front is OK.

This is just my opinion, though. I suppose it comes down to personal preference and what 'style' one is going for. I just happen to think that they look extra good when they're shorter.

I also like a slight V-shape in the rear instead of being flat across the bottom. This is my mess jacket (posted in a recent thread) from the rear. It has that slight V-shape at the rear, and it falls between 2 and 3 inches below the top of my kilt.

**CMcG** · 21st October 11, 08:32 AM

I agree with Tobus that a mess a jacket should be quite short in the waist. This means about level with the hip bones on the sides and dipping down to the swell of the backside in the rear with equivalent points in the front.

If you want it longer, that is your prerogative but I wouldn't go any lower than ChattanCat's suggestion for it not go past the fell. Otherwise you cover up your pleats!

**ChattanCat** · 21st October 11, 05:28 PM

I do prefer the cutoff tails as seen here.

**EHCAlum** · 24th October 11, 04:40 AM

Here's the finished jacket, of course feel free to ignore me and concentrate on the lovely darling next to me.

**CMcG** · 24th October 11, 07:31 AM

That looks like a good length. FWIW, jackets worn with the kilt are rarely seen buttoned up... typically, a low cut waistcoat or a waist-plate belt (not both) is worn under a formal jacket jacket, though I have seen them sometimes worn with no decoration around the waist, especially in very hot weather.

But if your lovely companion prefers the jacket buttoned, who am I to argue?

What did you do with the back?

**EHCAlum** · 24th October 11, 07:36 AM

I actually kept the jacket unbuttoned the rest of the night, and had a waist plate. The back is straight across and the remaining 1/2 inch or so of the center flap was sewed up. Overall for a $6 jacket from the Salvation Army it turned out pretty decent. Michelle wasn't complaining and the gents at the shrine were more interested in having fun at my expense with the kilt, though they hushed up when they saw their ladies giving us attention and when I produced a bottle of Makers Mark.

**CMcG** · 24th October 11, 07:52 AM

Originally Posted by EHCAlum

I actually kept the jacket unbuttoned the rest of the night, and had a waist plate. The back is straight across and the remaining 1/2 inch or so of the center flap was sewed up. Overall for a $6 jacket from the Salvation Army it turned out pretty decent. Michelle wasn't complaining and the gents at the shrine were more interested in having fun at my expense with the kilt, though they hushed up when they saw their ladies giving us attention and when I produced a bottle of Makers Mark.

Yes, I agree it turned out nicely. The people having fun at your expense were just jealous!