Tashes (Inverness Flaps)

[KenB]

Tashes seem to make a short person even a wee bit shorter. So do tails on a jacket.
For those of us who are vertically challenged and not wanting to shorten our stature further , maybe tashes are not a good thing.
Just a thought. Any opinions, advice, etc.

[TheBrus]

Unfortunately, so many things--including kilts?--make short folks look shorter. Anything that creates a horizontal line tends to make a visual limit. Look for vertical lines to create the illusion of height. How about tartan trews?

[KenB]

Trews, eh? An interesting option. But being a MacDonald, I wonder just how they would look.
I did wear a Montrose Doublet in my younger years - very formal look, no tashes.

[MacLowlife]

A continued line is said to elongate the torso. If you have a tartan doublet, you might look taller. If your tartan is subdued, you might find a day jacket in a solid color that doesn't contrast much. It might be good to consider a waistcoat, which can be slimming, too.

I think it might be easier to work on narrowing your silhouette instead of lengthening it. Can you stand to lose a few pounds?

[piperdbh]

Tashes can be shortened. There's no reason they can't be made in good proportions with the rest of the jacket.

[creagdhubh]

Ken,

I think the 'tashes' look smart on chaps of all sizes! Just look at P/M Gordon 'Gordy' Walker (see below), he's not a very tall chap at all (I have met with him in Scotland several times), yet he always look well turned out in his Regulation Doublet.



Cheers,

[OC Richard]

I'm tall but rather stout and the straight lines of Argyll jackets are more flattering on me, for sure.

Prince Charlies do no favours for men with bellies. My old Highland Dress catalogues from the 1920s & 1930s stress that Prince Charlies are suitable for young men, Doublets (what we call Regulation Doublets) are suitable for older and stout men.

The Argyll cut is better than either for me.

[KenB]

In my younger days wearing a Montrose Doublet, jabot & cuffs, I looked quite dashing. Interestingly neither my weight has changed nor has my waist but for a few meager pounds and an inch. If I can find some pics from the late 60's I'll post them once they have been scanned.
Perhaps it is just my "eye" that sees tashes as " shortening".
I'm still trying to envision myself in trews..... but IMHO that ain't gonna cut it. For a civilian they are so very military....
I still really love the kilt. I don't feel there is a replacement.

[CMcG]

I'm not sure if Inverness flaps have a shortening effect or not... I haven't yet worn a doublet but I ordered one off eBay a little while ago and I hope it doesn't make me look short

It's an interesting question in general, so I looked at a few of my photos and I can see how different types of jackets, sporrans and waistcoats appear to make me look taller. My mess jacket makes me look the tallest, perhaps because of the high waist. Higher cut waistcoats also have that effect and a tartan waistcoat seems to add to it. My horsehair sporran also seems to have a bit of vertical visual pull.

I'm about 5'10" 155lbs and here are a few pics. Do you think any of the above mentioned items have an effect on your perception of my height? What about weight?

[creagdhubh]

I'm about 5'10" 155lbs...

Same here (finally back down to my normal weight, as I gained about 20 pounds during my first year of marriage - what can I say, my wife's a fantastic cook!).

I think you look great in all of your outfits, Colin!

Cheers,