If you could only have one

**Farmer Jones** · 28th July 14, 11:15 AM

There is a tweed Argyll jacket in my future. I have seen from photos posted on this forum that a great combination of colours work with tartan kilts. Including hoes and flashes, waistcoats and jackets, there is a huge range of colour possibilities that can be brought together to great effect. There are some combinations that do not work. Especially with something as large as a jacket. I can only have one jacket for all of those non-formal, non-casual occasions. I have been thinking that a black and white herringbone would go with most things, but before I commit myself to a very significant purchase, I would like to solicit opinions. The two kilts I will be wearing it with are one as you see in my avatar, and the Canadian Maple Leaf.

**MNlad** · 28th July 14, 12:21 PM

Including hoes and flashes

Where do I go with this? Better not!
Seriously, those two tartans, other than the red, are quite dissimilar. If possible, I'd ask my supplier for some samples of tweeds I'm interested in before I made a decision. Gray, which is what your black/white tweed will look like at a distance, goes with just about anything. It would go great with your avatar tartan . . . and not too bad with Maple Leaf, although I prefer a brown or green based tweed along with that autumn-like tartan.

**creagdhubh** · 28th July 14, 12:53 PM

I am rather partial to brown/tan based tweeds (thornproof, herringbone, check, windowpane, etc) and tend to think they pair nicely with virtually any tartan in any colour scheme, but they look especially well turned out with red based tartans. Along with being extremely versatile, I think a brown/tan, or green based tweed against the overall tone of your chosen tartans would look very smart, and contrast quite nicely. I too have entertained the idea of having a tweed Argyll style jacket and matching waistcoat done up in a back and white herringbone pattern, or houndstooth (think, the Duke of Winsdor), yet I tend to agree that from a distance, the tweed may appear overly grey. There's obviously nothing wrong with that; however, I think tweed with a 'punch" of earthy colours look far more interesting than a pattern that's exclusively black and white. There is a compromise of this however; see tweed #2 below.

Worn Examples:

Tweed Examples:

**Farmer Jones** · 28th July 14, 01:29 PM

I actually prefer greens as well. I can see that a green or brown would go eminently well with the Maple Leaf, but not at all with the other. If there was a bit of green in it, it would be my choice.

**creagdhubh** · 28th July 14, 01:50 PM

Originally Posted by Farmer Jones

I actually prefer greens as well. I can see that a green or brown would go eminently well with the Maple Leaf, but not at all with the other. If there was a bit of green in it, it would be my choice.

What I typically do when deciding on which tweed to go with in regards to my Highland Dress (besides ordering actual tweed swatches), is to download (by means of copy and pasting) and save onto my computer desktop an electronic version of the tweed swatch, along with an electronic version of the tartan (though I do realise that computer monitors will indeed vary, so in regards to overall tonality and hue, this is simply a rough guide/strategy), and place them side by side to determine what will work, and what won't. This is a rather quick and efficient way to get an idea if a particular tweed pattern/colour will work well with a particular tartan or not. Process of elimination is the name of the game.

So, with that being said, here are several other tweed samples (some louder than others) you may find interesting:

**ForresterModern** · 28th July 14, 06:27 PM

Originally Posted by creagdhubh

What I typically do when deciding on which tweed to go with in regards to my Highland Dress (besides ordering actual tweed swatches), is to download (by means of copy and pasting) and save onto my computer desktop an electronic version of the tweed swatch, along with an electronic version of the tartan (though I do realise that computer monitors will indeed vary, so in regards to overall tonality and hue, this is simply a rough guide/strategy), and place them side by side to determine what will work, and what won't. This is a rather quick and efficient way to get an idea if a particular tweed pattern/colour will work well with a particular tartan or not. Process of elimination is the name of the game.

So, with that being said, here are several other tweed samples (some louder than others) you may find interesting:

This is one of my favorite tweeds, the olive green with navy windowpane check. That and a slightly lighter version with a tan windowpane check are my go to tweeds for just about any tartan I can think of wearing. With certain tartans they are a bit matchy matchy--like with my IOS or DFT kilts---and with others they are a bit clashy---like my Ancient Red Douglas, which is a very strong tartan. But your tartans, albeit from different "color seasons" (Maple Leaf in Autumn colors and the other tartan more of a Winter palette) should still be able to work with a lot of tweeds. As others have said let your kilt stand alone with whatever tweed you wear, then pull the package together with hose, flashes, tie, shirt, pocket square, and bonnet if you are going that way.
Or take the native Scots approach and grab this jacket (possibly your one and only), that waistcoat (may or may not be of the same tweed or not tweed at all), whatever shirt is most forward in your closet, then choose your best regimental tie and solid hose, with red flashes, and head out for the day.

**Tobus** · 28th July 14, 04:25 PM

Originally Posted by Farmer Jones

I actually prefer greens as well. I can see that a green or brown would go eminently well with the Maple Leaf, but not at all with the other. If there was a bit of green in it, it would be my choice.

You're not trying to get matchy-matchy with tweed, are you?

. Just because the tartan doesn't have green doesn't mean a greenish tweed wouldn't go well with it. You'd be surprised. Even an olive colour might look wonderful.

**creagdhubh** · 28th July 14, 04:38 PM

Precisely, Nathan and Tobus. Well said. Excellent visual examples as well, Richard.

Cheers,

**Farmer Jones** · 28th July 14, 10:08 PM

Originally Posted by MNlad

... If possible, I'd ask my supplier for some samples of tweeds I'm interested in before I made a decision. Gray, which is what your black/white tweed will look like at a distance, goes with just about anything. It would go great with your avatar tartan . . . and not too bad with Maple Leaf, although I prefer a brown or green based tweed along with that autumn-like tartan.

Unfortunately I am not in a position to be choosy, and have to accept what will be selected for me. I need to be precise on what and where to get it.

I have seen a very attractive jacket on ebay sold by tartan4less. It is not green, but more light earthy, like MnLad, but lighter. Any opinions on that one?

**MacGumerait** · 28th July 14, 10:43 PM

Originally Posted by Farmer Jones

Unfortunately I am not in a position to be choosy, and have to accept what will be selected for me. I need to be precise on what and where to get it.

I have seen a very attractive jacket on ebay sold by tartan4less. It is not green, but more light earthy, like MnLad, but lighter. Any opinions on that one?

There are several offered by them that fit that description . Would it be possible to provide a link to the one you like ?

If you are referring to what I think you might be and you are okay with that price range ... I would recommend contacting Steve Ashton ( Freedom Kilts and forum owner ) as he has a " kilt cut " jacket that fits well into that price and you can be a bit choosy .

Cheers , Mike