"Highland" embellishments on jackets

[Nathan]

People on the forum often think of the gauntlet (Argyll) cuff or the so called Braemar cuff as particularly Highland looking embellishments to a jacket. I stumbled upon some other clothing recently that made me rethink this notion.

Yesterday, I came across a Barrister's waistcoat in a thrift shop.



You'll note the scalloped pocket flaps and gauntlet cuffs.

Now consider the uniform of the guardsman. This man is in Canada's Governor General's foot guards.



His cuffs are quite like the Prince Charlie style Braemar cuffs.

Both of these garments are in the English (Saxon?) tradition. Epaulettes are widely seen around the world.

I do like these embellishments, but sometimes when a person wears a crail style jacket, there are comments that it looks less Highland. I'm not sure I agree since these so called Highland embellishments were just as common on English and other European garments. Like the Jabot, we just hang on to some things longer than most.

[Tobus]

Yep, gauntlet cuffs and other styles that still remain traditional on kilt jackets were not exclusive to the Highlands. They were common all over Europe (and everywhere Europeans went) a few centuries ago.

Personally, I like these embellishments on kilt jackets. Not because they look more "Scottish", but because they look more traditional. I actually wish some of these styles would find their way back to other clothing styles that aren't kilt-related, as I think they add a lot of character. I hate the way modern fashion has become streamlined, simple, and boring. Not only with the lack of details like these, but with boring choices of cloth and lack of tailoring to accentuate body shapes.

[creagdhubh]

Yep, gauntlet cuffs and other styles that still remain traditional on kilt jackets were not exclusive to the Highlands. They were common all over Europe (and everywhere Europeans went) a few centuries ago.

Personally, I like these embellishments on kilt jackets. Not because they look more "Scottish", but because they look more traditional. I actually wish some of these styles would find their way back to other clothing styles that aren't kilt-related, as I think they add a lot of character. I hate the way modern fashion has become streamlined, simple, and boring. Not only with the lack of details like these, but with boring choices of cloth and lack of tailoring to accentuate body shapes.

Precisely, Tobus. All of these wonderful wee details and embellishments that we still find in traditional Highland Dress today are simply derived from the military/regimental tradition through the centuries. Scalloped cuffs are even found on the U.S. Marine Corps Dress Blues (see yours truly below).

[Chas]

At a time when gloves were very expensive, gauntlet (or bucket) cuffs were functional. They could unbutton and fold down and afford some protection for the hands, especially from wind.

[tundramanq]

I like Nathan's first picture. It is toned down and defiantly not military.
In my view, I would not wear my US Navy dress blue "cracker jack" top with civilian wear.
I am even less comfortable wearing PC or Argyle tops derived from a foreign nation's military uniform.

[Calgacus]

I don't think gauntlet cuffs and scalloped pocket flaps derive from the military, they were common to civilian dress in the 18th century. Epaulettes however do have military origins, their original purpose being to stop straps and crossbelts falling off the shoulder.

[Liam]

I like Nathan's first picture. It is toned down and defiantly not military.

I would not say that the legal profession is defiantly not military but it is definately not so..... spell check creates these wonderful opportunaties....

Cheers...Bill

[Dileasgubas]

At a time when gloves were very expensive, gauntlet (or bucket) cuffs were functional. They could unbutton and fold down and afford some protection for the hands, especially from wind.

I also believe that the buttons were placed on the outside so that soldiers would not wipe their noses on their sleeves. From the wisdom of the internet:
According to legend, the answer dates back to the time of Napoleon. The emperor was quite a snappy dresser and a perfectionist when it came to the appearance of his men. One of his pet peeves was the sight of soldiers wiping their noses on the sleeves of their uniforms. To discourage this nasty habit, he had large buttons sewed onto the uniform sleeves.
Did you ever try to wipe your nose on a sleeve full of brass buttons? Not a pleasant experience, but still preferable to a trip to the guillotine for disobeying orders.
This text is from a book ‘The Book of Totally Useless Information.’ It’s a informational book, 189 pages, and by Don Voorhes.

[Nathan]

Personally, I like these embellishments on kilt jackets. Not because they look more "Scottish", but because they look more traditional. I actually wish some of these styles would find their way back to other clothing styles that aren't kilt-related, as I think they add a lot of character. I hate the way modern fashion has become streamlined, simple, and boring. Not only with the lack of details like these, but with boring choices of cloth and lack of tailoring to accentuate body shapes.

For me these things are just a variation on a theme. I like a nice tweed kilt jacket that fits nicely and that's worn with the proper accessories. From my perspective, these things are similar to trim options on a car and are open to taste.

They are indeed "traditional" in Highland attire in that they haven't fallen out of civilian use as they have in other cultures, but as I have mentioned on other threads, jackets which lack of these embellishments have been as traditional a mainstay in Highland fashion as those that those that sport them.












Everyone is certainly entitled to prefer whatever pleases their eye but for me, whether the jacket has gauntlet cuffs, braemar cuffs, plain cuffs, one button or two, epaulettes or not doesn't change how I feel about the jacket much. For me, the tweed selected, how it fits, how it is cut in relation to the sporran and how it works with the overall outfit are far more important.

[ASinclair]

For me these things are just a variation on a theme. I like a nice tweed kilt jacket that fits nicely and that's worn with the proper accessories. From my perspective, these things are similar to trim options on a car and are open to taste.

They are indeed "traditional" in Highland attire in that they haven't fallen out of civilian use as they have in other cultures, but as I have mentioned on other threads, jackets which lack of these embellishments have been as traditional a mainstay in Highland fashion as those that those that sport them. <snip>

Everyone is certainly entitled to prefer whatever pleases their eye but for me, whether the jacket has gauntlet cuffs, braemar cuffs, plain cuffs, one button or two, epaulettes or not doesn't change how I feel about the jacket much. For me, the tweed selected, how it fits, how it is cut in relation to the sporran and how it works with the overall outfit are far more important.

I agree Nathan. Here is my Chief.


And here I am in Harris Tweed.