Ryan remembers correctly, I did have a jacket and kilt made up from the second option. (I had the vest made in a complimentary solid color). These were not for myself personally, but to model the line for the museum gift shop.

If it helps make a decision, here's what it looks like in an outfit.




That kilt, by the way, is a four yard "casual" kilt. So it only has 195 pleats. :-)

The jacket and waistcoat were bought by Lamar Britt and he does wear them with his tartan kilts, and the combo looks great. So don't discount wearing the waistcoat with a tartan kilt -- it may not be your idea to do so now, but if you choose a good color/pattern you'll have that option down the road.

As for which I'd pick -- well, to be honest, I'd make the decision by showing both to my wife and asking her which I'd look better in.

And as an unrelated aside, I feel compelled to point out that these fabrics are not actually tweed, but worsted wool; the patterns, however, are inspired by typical "estate tweed" patterns.

(And as an even further aside, though the jacket & waistcoat from my model outfit have been sold, the kilt is still available -- size 36" waist, 24" length, just PM me if interested).