Ok, so what qualities make a saxon jacket a good contender for conversion to a kilt jacket (I've read great threads on converting but wonder what are the things to look for that makes a jacket suitable?) and, what colours would work for a mute Robertson hunting and the Red modern Robertson (same as my avatar). I'm on the hunt for something day, in tweed, at my local thrift store. Having some ideas before I go would be a great help. Thanks to all of you with appreciation. I'm also in touch with Vmac for help, too.

I always look for patch pockets and double vents.

Regards

Chas

Be careful...the term Saxon and saxony are not interchangeable! You might end up with something you don't want.

We tend to use the term "a saxon jacket" her to designate what would be considered a normal, everyday, regular suit or sport coat as opposed to a jacket cut for kilt wear.

Best

AA

As Chas pointed out, look for a jacket with patch pockets; it's nice if it has leather buttons, and doubly nice if all the buttons are there. Don't forget to look at three piece suits as well, especially if you want a matching waistcoat.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by auld argonian

Be careful...the term Saxon and saxony are not interchangeable! You might end up with something you don't want.


AA

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I really mean a "regular" suit jacket or sport coat, wool, tweed or other wise. Not saxony.
lr

I think it helps to look for moderate lapels- the big ones look worse when they have less jacket to spread over. Also, a three button jacket tends to have a higher "gorge" or opening, which does better when chopped. You may find the pockets on "hacking" style jackets are placed higher than those on American sack styles, but they still may not sit low enough to avoid moving them. If possible, figure out where the flaps ought to be in relation to some fixed point, such as your chin or your shoulders ( or your wrists) and measure and compare to that point when evaluating.

I still have not figured out if there is any advantage or disadvantage to buying a jacket in the wrong length, i.e., a regular guy buying a long or a short, or a tall guy buying a short or regular. If you can work with the sleeves, you might be able to manage the length and pockets better - or not. Just don't rule out the wrong length if you are going to cut it anyway...

As for color, I vote for something mixy- loden green or heathered blue, though navy is never a bad idea and brown tweeds work fine for day.

"Saxony" might almost be a mock heraldic term, though what it would mean, I can only wonder.

On a serious note, I try to find jackets that are a snug fit and that don't have huge shoulder padding...those big shoulders look top heavy to me.

Best

AA

Thank you Mac, this is exactly the help I need. For interest sake, what's a hacking jacket? Hope spring is coming to SC, we're under a winter storm warning in S. Alberta. I've also edited my previous post to address AA's saxon/y comment. LR

Hacking jackets are the tweed jackets worn when out riding (hacking, as the horsey crowd calls it).

I really think there is an advantage to to looking for suits, not jackets, to convert. With a suit the extra matching fabric in the trousers can be be used to make patch pockets which will be at the correct height on the jacket and still have enough left over for a matching waistcoat. In North America most suits are reasonably light weight which means that they make up into a kilt jacket/waistcoat that is a lot more wearable, especially in the summer months.

So, with the help of our very own Ms. Vmac we have a dark brown and black herringbone with cool little flecks of blues and wine colours. And a light tan and grey tweed. My tartans are that of my avatar and a muted hunting HOE Robertson. Both tartans have black lines in them. I'm wondering which of these two colours would go.

dl