Regular Tweed Jackett Yes or No

[ScotFree]

On my list of badly wants is a really nice tweed kilt jacket (something in a nice subtle green to go with my Blackwatch if you already shopping for my birthday <G>). However, its going to be a while til I can work that into the budget. In the interim, I have a really nice regular tweed sport coat. Do you think it will look OK with a kilt? Or should I just save it for trousers?

The thoughts and opinions of such stylish and erudite ladies and gentlemen are greatly appreciated.

[LandRover]

I too am curious. I recently picked up a tweed sport coat from the thrift store. It was made in Scotland, but it "looks" like a sport coat. Now, I do plan on alterations to bring it in line, and truthfully I don't see that being an issue. In my mind's eye I see the conversion coming out nicely.

Is a purpose-built (cut?) kilt tweed jacket different in style to a sport-coat cut jacket? I truly have no idea, but I am curious ...

[B R Gordon]

On my list of badly wants is a really nice tweed kilt jacket (something in a nice subtle green to go with my Blackwatch if you already shopping for my birthday <G>). However, its going to be a while til I can work that into the budget. In the interim, I have a really nice regular tweed sport coat. Do you think it will look OK with a kilt? Or should I just save it for trousers?

The thoughts and opinions of such stylish and erudite ladies and gentlemen are greatly appreciated.

My .02 is to save it for trousers. It is just not cut to use with the kilt.

[O'Searcaigh]

It is really not too difficult to "convert" (basically shorten) a tweed sport coat for wear with a kilt. The only issue may be the placement of the pockets. If it is a patch-pocket type where you can simply remove the pockets, then such conversions can turn out really nice otherwise there could be a problem with cutting through an inside placed pocket with very little room left for the pocket and funny looking placement of the pocket flap on a shortened coat.

[ScotFree]

Landrover - I do know that a jacket cut for kilt wearing is rather different from a suit cut jacket like the typical sport coat. It tends to be shorter, and if I'm not mistaken, the apron will drop back towards the hips to a greater degree.

Well, since kilt cut coats are most likely a rarity around the Midwest US, perhaps I'll scout around the second hand stores for a coat suitable for conversion. Should make for an interesting search.

[brewerpaul]

The regular jacket is just a bit long and doesnt look right with a kilt. Tends to cover the fell in the back to your hips and the front doesnt look right with a sporran. I keep my wool and tweed jacket for my breeks in the winter time, the few times I do put on pants. Ive even got a long cardigan sweater I dont wear with my kilts even though it is one of my favorite winter sweaters.. Biggest problem with conversions is getting a nice taper of the front of the jacket and pockets. To me the conversions can look odd with the pocket flaps so close to the bottom of the jacket.. If they are patch pockets they can be removed hopefully without any damage to the jacket itself.

[RockyR]

My .02 is to save it for trousers. It is just not cut to use with the kilt.

***

The regular jacket is just a bit long and doesnt look right with a kilt. Tends to cover the fell in the back to your hips and the front doesnt look right with a sporran. I keep my wool and tweed jacket for my breeks in the winter time, the few times I do put on pants. Ive even got a long cardigan sweater I dont wear with my kilts even though it is one of my favorite winter sweaters.. Biggest problem with conversions is getting a nice taper of the front of the jacket and pockets. To me the conversions can look odd with the pocket flaps so close to the bottom of the jacket.. If they are patch pockets they can be removed hopefully without any damage to the jacket itself.

*** again.

[Jock Scot]

You will not regret getting a jacket that is correctly cut(or converted if you must) for the kilt. There are lots of pictures of kilt jackets here on this website for you to study and every now and then there is a picture of some one wearing a trouser cut jacket with the kilt and it will "shout loud and clear" why this style of jacket does not work with the kilt.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

A regular sport coat is not tailored to wear with a kilt, and consequently when you do wear one with the kilt it really does not look right. Specifically, the jacket will be much too long, and cover half of the kilt! It will look off, like wearing regular trouser socks instead of kilt hose.

I know it can be tempting to wear a regular sport coat until you can obtain a proper kilt jacket, but every time I have seen someone doing this, I couldn't help but think how much better he would have looked without the jacket. In place of a jacket try wearing a waistcoat, or a pullover sweater, and you'll look ten times better!

In the meantime, keep your eye out on Ebay for a second hand kilt jacket in your size, or start saving your pennies to get a tailor made one for you, and you won't regret it!

[piperdbh]

Having a "regular " jacket cut down to wear with the kilt can work, but the waist shaping is different from a made-for-the-kilt jacket. I say go ahead and have your jacket cut down, and keep saving for a "real" kilt jacket.