Argyll Jackets: When is a pattern too much?

[M. A. C. Newsome]

That jacket would look amazing with just about any tartan kilt you wanted to pair it with. Go for it!

Patterned argyle jackets are a very traditional option with highland dress, and one I wish more men would go for.

My "go to" kilt jacket is made from Harris tweed with a check pattern. I have yet to find a tartan this does not tone well with.



My most recently acquired kilt jacket is also Harris tweed and features a larger, windowpane pattern. I had it made because I thought the colors of the tweed would work especially well with my tartan in the below pic.

[Jock Scot]

.......... So does an Argyll with a pattern fight with the tartan of a kilt too much?



Thoughts or mixing a patterned tweed with a variety of tartans? Here is an example of the type of jacket I was questioning.

Too much?

Too much? Good lord no!

[ScotFree]

If Messrs. Jock and Newsome give it the stamp of approval, you can take it to the bank. One major difference in aesthetics I've noticed between the US and Scotland is that us Yanks like to match color and patterns, the Scots seem to prefer contrast. I'm a victim of the former, but I'm learning <G>.

[New World Czech]

What we also need is the approval of the wifey. I have made the attempts to branch out in color and pattern and have been nudged or forcefully pushed back into line. Since joining this forum i have been a great fan of Matt's style. Even though Matts check jacket is subtle it would be too much for her and any diced or tartan hose are a no no. All the other jackets would be off limits and not allowed to cross the threshold.

[Jock Scot]

If Messrs. Jock and Newsome give it the stamp of approval, you can take it to the bank. One major difference in aesthetics I've noticed between the US and Scotland is that us Yanks like to match color and patterns, the Scots seem to prefer contrast. I'm a victim of the former, but I'm learning <G>.

Baring in mind a certain amount of experience of some of the rabble's enthusiasm to push boundaries further than perhaps was intended by those giving an opinion, can I suggest a certain amount of caution and discretion when choosing the rather more "loud" tweeds.

[OC Richard]

The love of colour and pattern is the very essence of the old Highland aesthetic.

Back in the 18th century, tartan jackets were the norm with Highland Dress.

For whatever reason by the mid-19th century selfcoloured/plain/solid jackets, usually in black or grey, had taken hold. Eventually the Highlanders' old love of pattern came roaring back and check tweed jackets became more and more popular in the early years of the 20th century.

It's not often that one come across vintage photos showing check tweed jackets, but here's a lovely one



and two more nicely-dressed gents



And here's one in a Henderson catalogue c1930



Pipe Major Archie MacPhedran (b1885) sporting a windowpane tweed jacket. The old Highland love of pattern could hardly be more evident.



and current piper Malcolm McRae with a lovely cota-breac



I had one back around 1980. It was bought by a friend's father around 1948 in Scotland. It was very heavy Harris tweed.



Moladh cota-breac

(in praise of patterned jackets)

[Tobus]

What we also need is the approval of the wifey. I have made the attempts to branch out in color and pattern and have been nudged or forcefully pushed back into line. Since joining this forum i have been a great fan of Matt's style. Even though Matts check jacket is subtle it would be too much for her and any diced or tartan hose are a no no. All the other jackets would be off limits and not allowed to cross the threshold.

That's understandable. My wife was much the same way for a while. Her typical response was something like, "you're going to wear that with THAT?! " It's funny, though, that after a few times she started to like it. And especially after exposing her to photos of Scots wearing all manner of different patterns and colours together, it finally sunk in that there's nothing wrong with it. Occasionally I will still get the eye roll and a comment about being sartorially dysfunctional, but I think it's more in jest than seriousness.

I find this is the most challenging aspect of getting the spousal unit to support traditional Highland attire. Let's face it: it's a big leap for some American women to come to terms with their husbands wearing a kilt (in public, no less!) in the first place. Especially if they've never really been immersed in that culture. But then for a husband to break all the known rules of American fashion sense by mixing patterns can be over the line.

I have a theory that the modern American media has done a bit of social programming which has taught women to be embarrassed by their husbands. If you pay attention to the role of husbands in commercials and television programs, you'll see that in the majority of cases we are portrayed as buffoons and fools, with the wives being the intelligent and sensible ones. Just watch any segment of television and keep an eye out for it. You'll see it immediately. This theme has been reinforced for years, and in my opinion has had an effect on women all over the country. Even though they may respect us and love us, in the backs of their minds they expect their husbands to embarrass them somehow. And so they unintentionally assume the same role as the wives portrayed by the media, where they need to 'correct' us and keep us from being little fools. This is a subject that's been bothering me for several years now, and it's to the point where I can't even tolerate most media portrayals of married couples any more. But I think it's having an effect on society, which may (or may not) be at play in cases like this.

You just need to explain to your wife that our American sense of matchy-matchiness isn't at all the norm for Highland attire (or even for British attire, as far as that goes). Show her some photos, point out the instances of mixing patterns and colours together, and basically desensitize her to it. You don't necessarily have to make it obvious that that's what you're doing, but make it a subtle campaign of exposing her to a different sense of style than she's used to. Make her realize that her sense of American style doesn't apply here, and that this is actually the norm for Highland attire. Once she realizes that this isn't simply a case of her husband being a buffoon as the media has told her to expect, she will start to come around. Hopefully.

[creagdhubh]

Hi gwynng,

You can't post direct from your computer; you have to have it hosted on-line somewhere like photobucket.

On to your question - what is too much?





This is a jacket of mine that is brand new, but vintage. 40 Years old, but never worn. The arms are too long for me, but if they weren't, I would wear it.

Regards

Chas

Awesome jacket, Chas! I have one of a similar check.

[creagdhubh]

That's understandable. My wife was much the same way for a while. Her typical response was something like, "you're going to wear that with THAT?! " It's funny, though, that after a few times she started to like it. And especially after exposing her to photos of Scots wearing all manner of different patterns and colours together, it finally sunk in that there's nothing wrong with it. Occasionally I will still get the eye roll and a comment about being sartorially dysfunctional, but I think it's more in jest than seriousness.

I find this is the most challenging aspect of getting the spousal unit to support traditional Highland attire. Let's face it: it's a big leap for some American women to come to terms with their husbands wearing a kilt (in public, no less!) in the first place. Especially if they've never really been immersed in that culture. But then for a husband to break all the known rules of American fashion sense by mixing patterns can be over the line.

I have a theory that the modern American media has done a bit of social programming which has taught women to be embarrassed by their husbands. If you pay attention to the role of husbands in commercials and television programs, you'll see that in the majority of cases we are portrayed as buffoons and fools, with the wives being the intelligent and sensible ones. Just watch any segment of television and keep an eye out for it. You'll see it immediately. This theme has been reinforced for years, and in my opinion has had an effect on women all over the country. Even though they may respect us and love us, in the backs of their minds they expect their husbands to embarrass them somehow. And so they unintentionally assume the same role as the wives portrayed by the media, where they need to 'correct' us and keep us from being little fools. This is a subject that's been bothering me for several years now, and it's to the point where I can't even tolerate most media portrayals of married couples any more. But I think it's having an effect on society, which may (or may not) be at play in cases like this.

You just need to explain to your wife that our American sense of matchy-matchiness isn't at all the norm for Highland attire (or even for British attire, as far as that goes). Show her some photos, point out the instances of mixing patterns and colours together, and basically desensitize her to it. You don't necessarily have to make it obvious that that's what you're doing, but make it a subtle campaign of exposing her to a different sense of style than she's used to. Make her realize that her sense of American style doesn't apply here, and that this is actually the norm for Highland attire. Once she realizes that this isn't simply a case of her husband being a buffoon as the media has told her to expect, she will start to come around. Hopefully.

***

This is precisely what I have done with my lovely bride. Thankfully, she "gets it." And it doesn't hurt that she has always been very keen about her Robertson of Struan ancestry. I suppose I "lucked out" in that regard!

Good advice, Tobus.

Cheers,

[creagdhubh]

Baring in mind a certain amount of experience of some of the rabble's enthusiasm to push boundaries further than perhaps was intended by those giving an opinion, can I suggest a certain amount of caution and discretion when choosing the rather more "loud" tweeds.

The late Duke of Windsor once said in regards to the wearing of tweed, "The louder the better." I tend to agree with him; bearing in mind of course, my own personal aesthetics, style sense and preferences. Naturally, this doesn't necessarily mean I would always choose the loudest tweed of the bunch for a particular occasion, but having one or two in the old wardrobe wouldn't do any harm.

Slainte,