Jacket for twill kilt

[cavscout]

I'm getting a freedom kilt in the near future and plan on wearing it while on a cruise for evening meals as well as thru the day.

My question is about a jacket to dress up the kilt for the evening. I have a tweed sport coat I only wear to funerals weddings and dog fights that I think might be possible to alter into a kilt jacket. Is this a reasonable alteration cost wise or would it be better to just buy a true kilt jacket?

[lrpddrummie]

The only thing I would careful about is the finding the right person for the job. It is more than just sewing a few decorative buttons onto the sleeve and calling it a kilt jacket. I have seen to many disastrous attempts at altering coats. I have seen people spend a lot of money having a coat altered and it turning out horrible when they could have spent less money and bought a true kilt jacket. A nice Crail Jacket or Braemar Jacket made from tweed has a very sharp look without being too formal (more sport coat like) and are very reasonably priced. But that’s just my opinion.

[cavscout]

Absolutely. As this is a standard length sport coat I would want the length to be appropriate for the kilt.

[Raphael]

If you don't mind buy a second hand jacekt, try ebay. you can often find a good deal on jacket.

[cavscout]

Excellent thought. I've got some great thrift stores in my area.

[Hamish]

Regrettably, I have not been on a cruise, but I was always under the impression that at evening Dinner one had to dress up with a black tie and DJ (Tuxedo). If that is the case then, I'd have thought, a tweed jacket would not be appropriate.

I agree, a nice Crail jacket, but in black barathea, would be best. It can be worn formally with a black bow tie, or less formally with a neck tie.

[cavscout]

In the past, evening meals were black tie, but as we have become so much more casual in our business lives it seems the cruises have relaxed there "Formal" criteria to be pretty much coat with a collared shirt and a tie may be optional. It dependes on the cruise line but the age of mandatory tuxedo's are gone.

[macwilkin]

In the past, evening meals were black tie, but as we have become so much more casual in our business lives it seems the cruises have relaxed there "Formal" criteria to be pretty much coat with a collared shirt and a tie may be optional. It dependes on the cruise line but the age of mandatory tuxedo's are gone.

More's the pity, really. I wear my formal attire any chance I can get. Page & I are planning to take a cruise someday, and my kilt and prince charlie with me for evenings.

Cheers,

Todd

[Jewddha]

Hamish, I really encourage you to write a book on etiquette to enlighten the younger generation (being mine). I've always been encouraged by my family to learn correct dress and all that jazz, but sadly, my father can't even teach me how to tie a tie properly (he can himself, it's just one of those subconcious activities I suppose).

[Hamish]

Hamish, I really encourage you to write a book on etiquette to enlighten the younger generation (being mine). I've always been encouraged by my family to learn correct dress and all that jazz, but sadly, my father can't even teach me how to tie a tie properly (he can himself, it's just one of those subconcious activities I suppose).

Matt has done just that! Within the last day or two he has given us details of a booklet he has just published. I have ordered a copy which I know will help me to explain these things when I am asked. Matt writes such sense - everyone should have a copy!

As for tieing a tie: isn't is curious? Although I have tied my own ties virtually every day for the past 60+ years, I just cannot tell anyone else how it's done, or tie theirs for them. The only time I have managed to do it, I had to stand behind him and work over his shoulders, facing a mirror! What's worse: if I stop to think what I am doing when tieing my own, I am unable to continue until I 'switch off' and think of something else altogether!