More about traditional jackets

[TheKiltedLaird]

For my part a jacket is a the outer garment suited to the outing for which the kilt is to be worn. I personally prefer a standard tweed jacket not unlike this one. My style.jpg

[MonkeyRogue]

Most of the jackets I've seen are cut considerably shorter to allow full display of the kilt. Would be a fashion faux pax to wear a standard length coat? I see from these archive pictures and even our own TheKiltedLaird seem to be wearing them. I ask because I greatly admire the doublet look, (I'd probably find excuses to start wearing the doublet), but won't have the funds to get a full ensemble for some time. Later, it may not be a big deal to get a tweed jacket with scalloped pockets and gauntlet cuffs and I readdress the full kit at that time.

[TheOfficialBren]

Monkey, I do not own a traditional jacket and still turn out in THCD By wearing a jumper (sweater) and a Tattersall shirt for informal kilt wearing and a tie to smarten it up a notch. Your mileage may vary.

[Jock Scot]

Most of the jackets I've seen are cut considerably shorter to allow full display of the kilt. Would be a fashion faux pax to wear a standard length coat? I see from these archive pictures and even our own TheKiltedLaird seem to be wearing them. I ask because I greatly admire the doublet look, (I'd probably find excuses to start wearing the doublet), but won't have the funds to get a full ensemble for some time. Later, it may not be a big deal to get a tweed jacket with scalloped pockets and gauntlet cuffs and I readdress the full kit at that time.

The kilt jacket is cut short mainly to allow the pleats of the kilt to "swish" properly, in other words, there is a genuine purpose for the kilt jacket to be cut shorter. With the longer cut coat then this effect is hindered more than somewhat. Whilst what you wear and how you wear it is entirely your choice, the thought occurs why wear the kilt in the first place if you are going to handicap yourself by negating one of the main attractions of the kilt?

[MonkeyRogue]

I guess it depends on what is your draw to the kilt. The swish is certainly distinctive though. I'll keep it in mind. Thank you all!

[Highlander31]

Thanks Steve. In addition to your reply I have been given a link to a conversation in here about jackets, which was asked from a different perspective, but covered what I needed to know about period authenticity. I suspect that many modern day film makers do not realize how recent a development the standard Argyle (and its variants) are. I do not recall any depictions of kilted civilians in movies from before WWII, but if we could find some, they would likely be more accurate than what is seen in modern movies.

Here you go: "Storm In A Teacup", made in 1937. Starring Rex Harrison, Vivian Leigh, and Cecil Parker.

[OC Richard]

how recent a development the standard Argyle (and its variants) are.

The Argyll style has been around much longer than the Prince Charlie, Montrose, Kenmore, or Sherrifmuir, all of which appear to be 20th century creations.

Argyll-cut jackets can be seen in the mid 19th century, both grey and brown for outdoor dress and black for evening dress.

Here's an "Argyle" worn as evening dress c1930. Note this older style is shown being worn with the older style of sporran, while the 'youth' is wearing a trendy new jacket style and new sporran style



Here's what you often see in the 1850-1920 period: full elaborate Highland costume worn with what we would call an Argyll jacket



Here's a lovely mid-19th century portrait showing an ordinary jacket worn with Highland dress. Everything about his dress, including the civilian wearing of the Glengarry, the long plain jacket, the ankle boots, lack of flashes, and hair sporran worn with civilian day dress, can be seen repeatedly in The Highlanders of Scotland