MacLowlife wondering about the high life

[MacLowlife]

Hello friends,

I have been lurking and feel as if I know you already. Now I am jumping in and wondering about tartan doublets. You see them in old portraits. You see them mentioned in books. I know of one seller who offers them for sale. Anyone got a picture of himself wearing one? I posted over on DIY about making a Black Watch Prince Charlie and one helpful member pointed out "you wouldn't wear a BW Tuxedo, would you?" In fact I DO sometimes wear a BW Dinner Jacket and it frequently passes for black in the dim light of a party. I am wondering if an all Black Watch dress outfit is TOO MUCH or subtly very cool? I suspect I will be more likely to wear it than, say an all Royal Stewart ensemble, but I await your wise advice.

Thanks in Advance
MacLowlife
You take the high life and I'll take..

[Tartan Hiker]

Don't forget to avail yourself of the search feature in each forum. You'll find lots of threads that mention doublets.

Also, check the sticky in the Photos forum for "One kilt, 10 looks". You'll see doublets there, too.

[Jock Scot]

There are one or two members, here, that are very keen on a tartan waistcoat(vest) and at least one member who wears a tartan evening jacket. Not to my taste, but either option is very traditional, but not usual these days and no doubt those members will chip in before long.

One thing you must understand, is that mixing tartans of different clans is a definite no no.The mixing of tartans of the same clan is alright, in most circumstances. When it comes to "universal" tartans I am not quite sure what happens, but on the whole it is safer not to mix tartans.

[Bugbear]

Don't forget tartan waistcoats... Perhaps not at the same time as the tartan doublet, though.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

By all means a doublet, cut from the same tartan as your kilt, is perfectly acceptable and, indeed, desirable. To my mind's eye this style works best with a very traditional doublet (Sheriffmuir, regulation doublet, Dress Argyll, or similar) than it does with the ubiquitous Prince Charlie coatee. Our very own JSFMACJR (Sandy MacLean) often wears a tartan doublet and looks smashing. Perhaps he can be encouraged to join in the discussion.

[MacLowlife]

Same tartan on a different scale? Two clans, both of which I can claim? What if one is named, say Stewart Campbell, as someone in these parts probably is? Thanks, all
MacL

[Jock Scot]

Same tartan on a different scale? Two clans, both of which I can claim? What if one is named, say Stewart Campbell, as someone in these parts probably is? Thanks, all
MacL

You need to know clan histories extremely well before mixing tartans. For example, mixing Clan Campbell and Clan MacDonald tartans could be dynamite in certain circles---even these days! It is not unknown for two parts of the same clan, with their own tartan, not to be too friendly, on occasion either, so beware! Same tartan, different scale, is fine.

[dowofbuchanan]

You need to know clan histories extremely well before mixing tartans. For example, mixing Clan Campbell and Clan MacDonald tartans could be dynamite in certain circles---even these days! It is not unknown for two parts of the same clan, with their own tartan, not to be too friendly, on occasion either, so beware! Same tartan, different scale, is fine.

that wouldnt be any where near glen coe would it? the subject of my favorite corries tune. i like the tartan waistcoat ... but maybe not the doublet for me.

[Jock Scot]

that wouldnt be any where near glen coe would it? the subject of my favorite corries tune. i like the tartan waistcoat ... but maybe not the doublet for me.

Glen Coe is just part of the Campbell/MacDonald feud that goes back well before the massacre. In fact, whilst the Campbells had minor part to play in that awful affair, the real blame lies elsewhere.

[Asser 1]

Ten years ago I wouldn't have even thought of the tartan on tartan look. Now, I think it is brilliant.

I do think it is for the experienced though or at least the sartorially sound, there is a certain amount of skill in pattern mixing. It is much like pattern mixing(shirt, jacket, pocket square and tie) as discussed in Alan Flusslers book that Ancienne Alliance posted about with the "pocket square" thread.

As Flussler points out in his book Dressing the Man "reward and risk go hand in hand" with pattern mixing. I think this very much applies to mixing two tartans.