Selecting a Day Kilt Jacket, advice.

[CollinMacD]

Greetings all,

I am at the stage where I would like to purchase a very nice day kilt jacket and a Waistcoat to go with my MacDonald Clanranald Ancient kilt. I have looked at all the "traditional" style jackets and have come across this one, from a very reputable Scottish vendor. The Balmoral Tweed Kilt Doublet, which I just love. It has a classic collar and four button fastening with the gauntlet style cuffs and Inverness skirts are all finished with leather covered buttons and flat epaulettes on each shoulder. I know its a bit formal, but I emailed the owner and he stated this style was very popular in the 1920's and is making a comeback, but it really is not a formal dress jacket, but more of a day jacket. I have chosen a non-pattern tweed material, if you go to the site material number 877. My question is, am I being too formal as a day jacket with this, is this considered acceptable? I just want to make sure before I invest a hefty sum to have this made. Thoughts:

Here it is:



Details:



Waistcoat will be in matching tweed:



Thank you...

[Father Bill]

They're absolutely beautiful and yes, traditional, and yes, more formal than many, so here's the question (it's always the question): Where are you going and what are you doing during the days for which it is planned?

I'd love to have one like that, and yes, I'd wear it days, but mostly to fairly dress-up events. For something less dressy and still a beautiful day jacket, have a look at Steve's "Kilt-kut jackets" here:



I own something somewhere in between:



And having said that... I love the jacket & vest you're showing. (Covet, covet!)

[Father Bill]

P.S. - I see that it's "House of Labhran" and I went to their not-inexpensive website but couldn't find it. Can you link for us?

[FossilHunter]

My understanding is that, traditionally, tweed is tweed and all of equal formality, regardless of style and color. Kind of like how a regulation doublet and PC in black barathea are equally suitable for black tie.

I think it looks amazing and would happily wear it on any occasion that called for a tweed jacket.

[CollinMacD]

My understanding is that, traditionally, tweed is tweed and all of equal formality, regardless of style and color. Kind of like how a regulation doublet and PC in black barathea are equally suitable for black tie.

I think it looks amazing and would happily wear it on any occasion that called for a tweed jacket.

That is what I think too. The owner told me that it was very popular in the 1920-1930's and was considered to be a daytime jacket, even though it sports tails.

Fr. Bill asked where I intend to where it, and that would be at Scottish Games, informal Scottish events that I attend with St. Andrews Society, and Clan Donald events, places that do not require formal wear. I still like being dressed, and if I wear a polo shirt or such I normally were the inexpensive sport kilts, not my nice wool. So I would only wear this when I am wearing my 13 and 16 oz kilts. My wife and I attend about 4 formal events a year, and about 10 informal a year. When we attend events in the hot Virginia sun, that is when the sport kilts, and polo shirts are worn, of course picnics and outdoor day events.

As you can tell I just love this look, to me looks very much Highlander, and that is where my ancestors are from, so carrying on tradition, even though there is a pond between us, I try to respect and dignify the Scottish Traditions. Glad so far, everybody approves of it. Bit pricey, but I have saved for months to buy this, and will at end of this month.

[ShaunMaxwell]

P.S. - I see that it's "House of Labhran" and I went to their not-inexpensive website but couldn't find it. Can you link for us?

https://houseoflabhran.net/product/b...t-waistcoat-2/

[Father Bill]

https://houseoflabhran.net/product/b...t-waistcoat-2/

Thank you.

Dearish for daywear, I'd think, compared to some other options, but as I say... beautiful!

I'm interested in hearing from our native Highlanders to see what they think of it in terms of price and applicability.

[CollinMacD]

They're absolutely beautiful and yes, traditional, and yes, more formal than many, so here's the question (it's always the question): Where are you going and what are you doing during the days for which it is planned?

I'd love to have one like that, and yes, I'd wear it days, but mostly to fairly dress-up events. For something less dressy and still a beautiful day jacket, have a look at Steve's "Kilt-kut jackets" here:


And having said that... I love the jacket & vest you're showing. (Covet, covet!)

You are one sharp Padre, Father Bill.... Nice look

This the 11th commandment is "Thou shall not covet thy fellow laddies Scottish attire." Think it was lost when Moses broke those tablets first time around....

[Baeau]

This the 11th commandment is "Thou shall not covet thy fellow laddies Scottish attire." Think it was lost when Moses broke those tablets first time around....

Nope, that's the 12th commandment. I did the 11th, about 20 years ago. Don't know where the finished went. I had the rough in a binder, In front of me.

[RichardtheLarge]

I’ve enjoyed a lot of mileage from my black barathea silver buttoned Argyll jacket. If you own no other kilt jackets, it is a great place to start and can be worn just about anywhere at multiple levels of formality.

If you are set on a tweed jacket, then I would go for it, but I believe that you would get significantly more mileage out of a jacket and vest like this in colored barathea. If you selected a non-descript button type (I see matte black pretty regularly nowadays), then this type of doublet could be worn with everything from a solid wool tie to a jabot.

As others have pointed out in this thread, the material of the jacket ultimately dictates the formality of the jacket moreso than the cut and style. That is, a tweed Sheriffmuir is quite casual, while a velvet Argyll is quite formal. Barathea is “middle of the road” and can go either way.