Jacket Dilemma

[MacIsaac]

So, I have run into a jacket dilemma. A good friend asked me to wear my kilt to his wedding next weekend in Colorado.

So I went and tried on my kilt (it's been a few years). It uh, shrunk, to say the least. Well, I managed to put together some nice strap extenders using black leather and chicago screws to avoid the second buckle issue.

So far so good. Then, on goes the argyle, yeah, that REALLY shrunk! It was a UK44 and I now sport a US48 (bought the jacket in 1998).

Here's the dilemma, I can probably get the jacket let out a bit. I can get it on, but it is snug. Even if I get it let out, it will still be snug.

My other option is to wear the suit jacket I will be wearing for the ceremony (kilt is for the reception). It is a standard buisiness suit, so it is too long, and doesn't show the sporran as well as it could.

No one at this wedding knows highland dress, so I am not overly concerned about correctness, really just what looks best.

Due to time constraints, and the holiday weekend, realistically, if I were to buy a new coat, it would have to be local and that leaves me the Tartan Patch in Irvine, or Sport Kilt in Signal Hill. Sport Kilt has one for $200, Tartan Patch for $350.

The other catch is that we are travelling to the wedding with our newborn twins, that means a lot of extra expenses, so this wedding is already costing us a small fortune and I would really rather not have to tack on another $200-$350 if I can help it.

Do I:
1) get my argyle let out as much as possible and wear a jacket that is too small;
2) wear the suit jacket and accept that it won't look as good, but no one other than me or my wife will notice; or
3) suck it up, open the piggy bank and get a new one from Sport Kilt or Tartan Patch?

If your answer is 3), any thoughts on which is the better option?

Thanks!
Alex

[CMcG]

<snip>
Do I:
1) get my argyle let out as much as possible and wear a jacket that is too small;
2) wear the suit jacket and accept that it won't look as good, but no one other than me or my wife will notice; or
3) suck it up, open the piggy bank and get a new one from Sport Kilt or Tartan Patch?

If your answer is 3), any thoughts on which is the better option?

1) There is no way anyone can let the jacket out as much as you need. It will be uncomfortably snug and won't look good.
2) A regular suit jacket with a kilt looks sloppy. While other people might not know about kilt-cut jackets, they will be able to see that it somehow doesn't look right.
3) This is your best bet. Apparently the Tartan Patch does rentals, so maybe you can ask how much for just the jacket? If not, then go with the Sportkilt Argyle because it is less money.

And one more thing to consider.
4) Take a regular suit jacket to a tailor for a quick conversion. Bring your current (snug) Argyle as a guide.

[rondo]

14) Take a regular suit jacket to a tailor for a quick conversion. Bring your current (snug) Argyle as a guide.

^This...dark business suit jackets are inexpensive 2nd hand, tailoring <$75.

Rondo

[Tobus]

4) Take a regular suit jacket to a tailor for a quick conversion. Bring your current (snug) Argyle as a guide.

That's what I was thinking. If you don't want to sacrifice an existing jacket, go to Goodwill and buy a used one to convert. It'll be a bajillion times better than wearing a standard suit jacket with your kilt, or wearing a kilt jacket that looks ridiculously too small for you.

Option 3 is best, but if money won't allow it, go for option 4.

[MacIsaac]

I hadn't thought of option 4.

Not knowing how long things like this take, do you think it is realistic to get one converted by next Wednesday considering the holiday? Our flight is next Thursday.

[Lyle1]

I hadn't thought of option 4.

Not knowing how long things like this take, do you think it is realistic to get one converted by next Wednesday considering the holiday? Our flight is next Thursday.

My wife converted a tux jacket to a kilt jacket in an afternoon. There isn't a lot of finish work involved, so it really isn't time consuming. It is really a matter of measuring, cutting (leaving a seam allowance), and then sewing it back up. I couldn't do it, but it is not a difficult job for anyone who sews well enough to make cloths or to do alterations.

[Tobus]

That's definitely pretty short notice for any tailor. But it can be done. Just need to find one and ask.

Just keep the conversion simple. Shorten the length and re-shape the cut to a kilt-cut jacket. Don't worry about sleeve cuffs, epaulets, or any of the trimmings unless the tailor has plenty of time to do it.

[Cedric the Bagpiper]

Just a thought for another option...

You could have your Argyle let out as much as possible and see if you can find a waistcoat in your size to fill in the "gap" (while still looking sharp!). J. Higgins has most sizes available in stock for about $70. Good Luck!

[Bassbarijpm]

Here is an idea from teh coast guard for a conversion. It modifies the CLASS A uniform jacket in a simpler way then trying to make a Argle jacket. http://www.uscgpipeband.org./media/j...ifications.pdf

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

How formal is the wedding? If jacket-and-tie formal, go to a tuxedo rental shop and rent a Spencer jacket and wear it with a white shirt and regular tie. If less formal, just rent a 5-button waistcoat and wear it with a tie. If the wedding is casual, then wear a white shirt and tie, and if it's hot, skip the tie.

You are going to be juggling twins-- nobody will worry (or notice) your jacket.