Mess jackets - questions

[Cygnus]

1. Yes, a little cuff should extend past the jacket's cuff - otherwise people can't admire your cufflinks!

2. You already answered it.

[Downunder Kilt]

1. Yes, a little cuff should extend past the jacket's cuff - otherwise people can't admire your cufflinks!

2. You already answered it.

Ditto and you can never have your shoes with too much shine on them

[SlackerDrummer]

I realize that you probably don't have time to address this before the wedding, but if you don't want to take off the shoulder board loops you could tack on some small braided epaulettes that would cover them nicely and not be out of place for civilian wear.

[CMcG]

That's a very spiffy jacket and seems to have come at just the right time, given your current situation and needs!

Personally, I think showing a bit of shirt past the cuff of the jacket is a nice added detail and looks sharp. If the shirt has plain cuffs I'd want just a bit showing but if it has French cuffs, I like to show enough to reveal the cuff links.

And yes, polish the heck out of your shoes

Check out this thread from a while back with some more discussion of mess jackets and especially for some pics:
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...jackets-66848/

[Pleater]

You are going to look wonderful - but perhaps the kilt could be worn just a fraction of an inch higher?

I know I know - I confess to having a thing about knees - but the kilt, I think would look better if worn slightly shorter.

The colours of hose and tartan are great, the sporran is gorgeous, the jacket looks grand - a bow tie will raise the tone, you will really look good - and you don't HAVE to wear your kilt higher, but it would be a shame if you didn't.

Just think - some time in the future, images of the wedding could flash up on the screen and some young thing will go 'Oooh - didn't great great grandad Mac have great knees.'



Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[Tobus]

Hmm, I thought I had it at the top of my kneecap, and in some pictures it seems to be there. In others, it seems to be just a tad below the top of the kneecap (although well above the middle of the knee). I agree, though, I could stand to raise it just a fraction of an inch higher so that the observer, from eye level, can clearly see my knees.

[Newfoundlander]

So, what conclusions/decisions have you arrived at? Buttons, shoulder boards, loops, sporran, waistcoat, etc, etc?

I'm naturally curious and like finding answers... The scientist in me I guess

[Tobus]

So, what conclusions/decisions have you arrived at? Buttons, shoulder boards, loops, sporran, waistcoat, etc, etc?

I'm naturally curious and like finding answers... The scientist in me I guess

Well, I've decided to wear this black mess jacket but not to alter it permanently. Which means I'll keep the shoulder loops but temporarily replace the buttons with something more civilian (if I have time). It might be kind of cool to try making simple braided epaulettes out of black ribbon that could attach to the loops on the shoulder temporarily and be removable. But I don't know if I'll have time for that either.

I'm definitely going to go with the horse hair sporran and pretty much everything else as you see them in the photos. I'm going this afternoon to try to find a formal shirt, studs, cuff links, and a bowtie.

[MacLowlife]

Someone who knows how to crochet may be able to show you how to braid with one strand for your epaulets or you can always braid three. Black parachute cord would be pretty easy, I expect. Simple grosgrain ribbon doesn't look too bad- or try to find some ribbon to match the (black?) fabric on the lapels- take it with you to the fabric store when you go button shopping.

If you have an hour or so on Saturday morning, you mighty have luck finding older, cheaper, cooler studs at the flea market.

When I was young and wanted attention, I would sometimes wear a set of studs that I had epoxied small tumbled malachite chips (one chip per stud) onto. They didn't match under the stones and it didn't matter. People selling studs can charge a lot more for a set then they charge for one or two odd ones. If you already have nice cufflinks, they don't have to match your studs exactly.

I would try to make sure all of that metal- buttons, studs, links, belt buckle- is all roughly the same color, or at least coordinated. But if it can't be, don't sweat it. When people are talking about how great you look, you can be modest and say "Aw shucks, my buttons don't even match my studs...."

You're going to look great. Be extra nice to your bride and to The Bride so they'll know you aren't trying to outshine them.

[A widow's son]

For what it is worth, I would go with a rented vest and a bow tie. That is a formal jacket no matter how you cut it and if you insist on a long tie, heed the advice above and go with a tweed jacket.