Acceptable for a kilt jacket

[McRoss]

I have an old blue suit, and I thought the jacket would be good for a project...to make an argyle type jacket. It's nothing fancy, just a plain blue suit jacket - if converted would that be considered an "appropriate" jacket to wear with a kilt? Thanks for your input.

bob

[artificer]

Hi McRoss,

First off, welcome aboard!

If you could post a picture of the jacket it might give the DIY jacket converter-crowd more to go on.

One of the big issues is button-hole placement on the front of the jacket, as this will potentially affect the amount of sporran cut-away you can achieve.

If you do a search (box is in the upper right corner of the screen) for jacket conversions you'll pull up some very helpful threads.

ith:

[creagdhubh]

I have an old blue suit, and I thought the jacket would be good for a project...to make an argyle type jacket. It's nothing fancy, just a plain blue suit jacket - if converted would that be considered an "appropriate" jacket to wear with a kilt? Thanks for your input.

bob

Sure, why not?!

I would suggest trying to move the pocket flaps up a bit, if at all possible, and ensuring there is a proper curve (when the button(s) are removed - not too low of a curve, or "jagged" looking edges) on the front of the jacket. These two details seem to give people the most trouble.

Best of luck and welcome aboard!

[Tobus]

Yes, photos would help.

Most suit jackets are very thin and would, at best, make for only a "summer weight" type kilt jacket. Not a traditional Highland jacket which would be made of tweed or Barathea wool. But actually, such summer weight jackets are starting to catch on amongst those who want to wear a kilt-cut jacket in warmer climes.

[tulloch]

The worst thing that could happen is you get some experience and you may get a fine garment out of it. Welcome from the highlands of Central Massachusetts.

[TheOfficialBren]

Yes, photos would help.

Most suit jackets are very thin and would, at best, make for only a "summer weight" type kilt jacket. Not a traditional Highland jacket which would be made of tweed or Barathea wool. But actually, such summer weight jackets are starting to catch on amongst those who want to wear a kilt-cut jacket in warmer climes.

***. I would appreciate a kilt jacket from a lighter weight material for this purpose. Southern California is not very wool or tweed friendly in the summer.

[McRoss]

Thank you for the replies! I appreciate your thoughts so far. I would like to use the blue jacket as a practice project and then convert this other jacket if all goes well:
image.jpg image.jpg
The blue jacket is a two button while the other is a 3 button. More than likely this would all be hand-sewn unless I can get my sister to visit with her machine...
By the way I attempted to rotate these pics before posting but no luck!

[Downunder Kilt]

OB, I had two lightweight jackets and waistcoats made in Bali a couple of years ago by my tailor over there, one in a nice mid brown, the other in a light grey with a very faint check. Both were made with waistcoats of the same design that HRH Prince Charles wears. The cost of the jacket waistcoat combination was A$90.00 each. They are most comfortable in the Melbourne summers

[MNlad]

By all means, go for it. Summer weight suit coats can be converted into a quite suitable kilt jacket, especially if they are a summer weight wool or linen. The rougher finish blends well with the texture of the kilt.

Here's a snap of my first jacket project, a light weight wool with a half lining. While far from perfect, it gives you a rough idea of what it can look like. Heed creagdhubh's advice so you don't make some of the mistakes I did.



Good luck, and welcome to XMTS.

[McRoss]

Thanks MNlad!